Is MELPA down?

It's down for me.

Shouldn't be... If it is more than likely temporary.

Yes, but there is no [issue on GitHub about it yet](https://github.com/melpa/melpa/issues). Meanwhile, you can use one of [the official mirrors](https://github.com/melpa/melpa#mirrors) (assuming your melpa key is `"melpa"`): ;; Evaluate in scratch buffer, M-: or wherever you want to. ;; WARNING: Remember, verify repository links before you blindly add ;; random repositories to your configuration :) (setf (alist-get "melpa" package-archives nil nil 'string=) "https://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/melpa.org/packages/")

It's down.

Do you know where to put it exactly in `.spacemacs` so it can actually start?

It's a temporary fix, you shouldn't put it in your usual configuration files. > so it can actually start? I'd try the following: 1. Disconnect from the Internet 2. Start Emacs 3. Apply the patch above 4. Reconnect to the Internet 5. Install whatever packages you want But I'm not a Spacemacs user, sorry :/. I'd tell you to open an issue on GitHub, but I guess [you already did](https://github.com/syl20bnr/spacemacs/issues/15774).

It seems that you can start spacemacs from the command line with `emacs --no-package-sync`

Seems to be completed, see https://github.com/melpa/melpa/issues/8231

Disconnecting from the internet doesn't help unfortunately: [https://imgur.com/a/Hb2ReA8](https://imgur.com/a/Hb2ReA8) Do you know how to apply above fix exactly? I entered these lines in `~/.spacemacs` (at the begining of the file and in the user-init section) and it didn't help. Or how to apply it after starting emacs (I don't emacs/lisp well, I only use org-mode extensively)? I'd take any temporary fix, thank you.

Doesn't work for me :( https://imgur.com/a/GKJGa2q

It disturbs me a lot to know that spacemacs requires permanent internet connection. Like always online drm, and I can't even use it when one host on the internet is down...

Melpa is back up, so no fix should be necessary anymore.

Yikes. I'm glad I just install the packages I like with use-package.

I put them as git submodules in my .emacs.d git module and require manually from init.el. Fully offline except when I feel like updating something.

I'm convinced people only use Spacemacs out of ignorance. The Emacs community could do some good by compiling a kind of how-and-why to move away from Spacemacs. It would benefit both users and developers.

The built in emacs package manager stores all packages locally, and only needs internet to update or add new packages.

Yes, and I used to use that, but I prefer the control I have and not worry over if all my installations have the exact same versions of everything.