----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2002 6:11
AM
Subject: Open Standards
Organization
Okay, here's
where I get to pull a Ross Perot and say that response to the suggestion of
creating an alternative open standards organization has been so overwhelming
that, against my will, I am forced to pursue it. None of this is entirely
true, since I"m actually excited about pursuing this possibility and the
response has been significant, but not overwhelming. At the same time, I don't
think we need 400,000 people involved to give this a go (4 is more like
it).
Based on
feedback, I would suggest the following goals (in order of
priority):
1) Identify a
core set of recommended XML specifications.
2) Identify or
create subsets of certain specifications if the existing specs are needlessly
complex (starting with XML itself).
3) Create new
specs to fill in the gaps.
To this I would
add a metagoal:
4) Evangelize the
recommended set of specifications or specification subsets to development
organizations in order to promote adoption.
Without 4), the
whole effort is going to remain an academic exercise. Luckily, a lot of
outspoken individuals have expressed interest.
As next steps I
would propose the following:
1) Set up a
mailing list for discussion among interested parties.
2) Write a
manifesto describing the organization's goals and raison
d'etre.
3) Create a
charter that describes the organization's structure, decision-making
procedures, etc. I would use the Apache Group as the model for this, assuming
this is appropriate (need to research this more).
4) Create a
website where (once again, in order of priority):
a) The manifesto and initial list of recommended specs can be
published.
b) Collaborative work can be hosted.
I would
appreciate any comments, encouragement and offers of help (many thanks already
to those who have provided one or more of these). Existing offers to help with
hosting and/or web design are hereby gladly accepted (personally I couldn't
design a website to save my life). For everyone else, stay
tuned...
Cheers,
Matt
Cart
