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RE: Standards (yet again) was RE: Use of XML ?

• From: "Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@i...>
• To: Dan Mabbutt <Seigfried@m...>
• Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 08:57:31 -0500

Fascinating.  No logical challengers; just 
rhetorical ad hominems.   It only took me five minutes to 
find possible legal grounds to challenge on should 
that be a useful course.  The web is a wonderful thing.

First, no one is suggesting ISO do that nor 
will they.  The XML spec clearly states that 
XML is a subset of SGML.  If I accept 
the Other position on face value, that position:

1.  Contradicts the extant documents both 
formal and informal.

2.  Makes the statements in the formal documents 
unsupportable.  Are they intended to protect, to 
assert a relationship?  What value do they have? 

Why bother to ascertain what this means?

Because people assert XML is a standard.  Is it? 
Does that have meaning?

Because people think standards protect them.  From what?  

Because the W3C is changing it's rhetoric 
about being a technology incubator to becoming a 
standards organization.  Is that a good idea?

Because we must understand where the law is 
an appropriate remedy and where we are defenseless. 
Are we?  Sun can patent the IP in XLink.  We 
are told that to change this requires substantial 
funding.  Is that the only answer?

Because we should ask ourselves what we require 
of organizations that we enable to choose our 
choices.  Whose interests are represented?

Because there is now relentless and seemingly 
unstoppable privatization of public assets. 
Should that go unchallenged?  When is privatization 
simply privateersRUs?

Because Dulcinea is a not a Pig.  She just 
smells funny.

Len 
http://www.mp3.com/LenBullard

Ekam sat.h, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti.
Daamyata. Datta. Dayadhvam.h


-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Mabbutt [mailto:Seigfried@m...]

Len,

I'm usually content to simply observe this great comic opera called xml-dev
from the peanut gallery, but this latest crusade of yours must certainly be
a lost chapter from Don Quixote. I'd really like to know more about why
you're doing this.

Since, as a character from Oliver Twist once observed, "The law is an ass,"
please put aside considerations about whether a successful court action
could be pursued. Answer this question for me: "What benefit to society
would be advanced by taking action against W3C for creating XML?"

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