OSS vs W3C? was: Next Round

[Borden, Jonathan]

> >
> > If the validity of a standard is based on the process which
> defines it, I
> > suspect that
> > the work done on xml-dev has the greater validity.
> >
> > Open Source Software and vendor controlled standards bodies, IMHO, are a
> > poor marrage.

	Not always, take JPEG for example, a standard with an excellent reference
implementation.

> > The advantage of Java and XML is that they let you do significant work
> > without the need
> > for a large team effort. Agreement and support of a few large vendors is
> > no longer the
> > significant factor.

	Same for JavaScript and XML or C++ and XML for that matter.
> >
> > We need standards. But I suspect the process needs to be updated.
> >
> 	 Currently our standards as defined by the W3C (and other
> standards bodies) are defined by effectively locking a group of
> "members" in
> a room and waiting until they emerge with something worthwhile. ... The
"members"
> tend to be large corporations who have a vested interest in the technology
> (yes, I know Tim is the exception here).

	There are smart and capable people at large corporations, small start-ups
and individuals. Perhaps a better solution would be to provide more
flexibility in the standards organization or WG membership. If people are
donating their time and contributing code, their ought not be a large
financial donation required as well. But that's politics.

>
> 	Is this neccessarily a bad thing? I don't know - we've never really
> experienced anything different. And yet when I compare it to the software
> world, and read "The Cathedral and The Bazaar", I can't help wondering if
> developing standards in a Bazaar might be a better model. It
> would certainly
> be interesting to try.
>
> 	Matt.

	Compare SAX vs. DOM for a direct example. Both have their places.

Jonathan Borden
http://jabr.ne.mediaone.net


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