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http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-style/2012Apr/0095.html Currently, free space is distributed as (1) 'flex', (2) auto margins, (3) flex-pack/align. Ojan and Tony argue that it would make more sense to swap (2) and (3), or even drop (2) entirely, as 'auto' margins for alignment are a hack from Box Layout's limitations.
if auto margins have any effect, it has to be before pack. After pack, with most pack options there is no extra space, but if it is start or end there is, only then auto margins will have effect. If the effect of auto margins is useful, it shouldn't depend on pack. If we don't want auto margins to work, we should just kill them.
Decided to stick with the spec as designed, where auto margins soak up free space after 'flex' but before the alignment properties.