Open Standards Processes (WAS Re: Nesting XML based languages and scripting languages)

Frank Boumphrey bckman at ix.netcom.com
Fri Apr 24 08:09:46 BST 1998


Bravo!! Well said!!!

Frank

-----Original Message-----
From: len bullard <cbullard at hiwaay.net>
To: Don Park <donpark at quake.net>
Cc: xml-dev at ic.ac.uk <xml-dev at ic.ac.uk>
Date: Thursday, April 23, 1998 7:19 PM
Subject: Open Standards Processes (WAS Re: Nesting XML based languages and
scripting languages)


>Don Park wrote:
>>
>> What I am saying is this: closed WG like XSL WG should release interim
specs
>> more frequently (i.e. 3 months).  I believe I have some probability of
>> competing with a small MS team even if they were given 3 months of lead
time
>> (after all I do have the strength of ten men and can leap over reasonably
>> tall structures after a good meal ;-).  I do not believe I can if they
have
>> one year of lead time.
>
>This is an old gripe of mine about the XML process as
>conducted by this effort.  It is not open.  That has
>troubled me from the beginning because it is an open
>effort to replace an open standard, SGML, with a closed
>standard, XML.  It is a horrible precedent even if a successful
>one.
>
>Because as demonstrated amply by WWW projects, running code
>does indeed out-colonize standards efforts, no one can deny
>the need for standards bodies to work with consortiums.  It
>is now established practice.  Still:
>
>o  Consortia are responsible to their members:  companies.
>o  ISO is responsible to its members:  countries.
>
>IMO, ISO must be the party that insists on and ensures
>openness because I do not think consortia can to the
>degree which will satisfy your real and legitimate
>complaint.
>
>VRML has a consortium, but the language standard is ISO.
>
>o  Consortia and list/volunteer labor.  Ensures systemic
>   applicability.
>
>o  ISO processes for drafting and approving authoritative
>   language.  Ensures contractual stability.
>
>o  All drafts posted to the web at all times.  Anyone can
>   read and anyone can contribute.  Only a few people edit
>   and ISO makes the rules for these people, not the consortia.
>   Ensures openness and "a level playing field".
>
>If people can't work inside that open a system, they should
>not be empowered to draft language, chair committees, or vote.
>
>Len Bullard
>
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