Part of the reason I think this happened is because ST just switched to a custom syntax format that compliments the new parallel regex engine. Before Jon could work with the open-source Textmate language definitions. By mass converting them and open-sourcing them, the community can help keep them up-to-date, and Jon can provide the improved performance of the new syntax engine.
I'm just excited because It seems to me that this is the first time JPS has open sourced something directly to the ST community, with the idea that they will continue to develop and maintain it. I'd really like to see more of that happen, and I think there's a huge desire to help with future development of ST.
