xml-dev - Re: RFD: comp.text.xml

[len bullard <cbullard@hiwaay.net>]

James K. Tauber wrote:
> 
>                      REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)
>                    unmoderated group comp.text.xml
> 
> This is a formal Request For Discussion (RFD) for the creation of a
> comp.text.xml newsgroup.  This is not a Call for Votes (CFV);
> you cannot vote at this time.  Procedural details are below.
> 
> Newsgroups line:
> comp.text.xml           The Extensible Markup Language (XML)
> 
> RATIONALE: comp.text.xml
> 
> Abstract
> 
> A newsgroup for the discussion of the Extensible Markup
> Language (XML); including, but not limited to the specifications
> and syntax, document creation and editing, interchange, software,
> processing and database integration. This applies not only to XML
> itself but also the Extensible Linking Language (XLL), the Extensible
> Style Language (XSL), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) as applied to XML
> documents, and to document types and applications of XML.
> 
> Justification
> 
> XML is a new language, and it appears that it will be extremely
> popular.

XML is a subset of SGML as specified by ISO.  It is a 
consortium-owned subset without normative reference to 
the parent standard.
 
> Over the past few months, traffic on the XML-DEV and XML-L mailing lists has
> grown rapidly.  With the release of the W3C Recommendation for XML 1.0,
> developer interest is growing rapidly and an increasing amount of software
> is
> being released.  A newsgroup would make it much easier for a wider audience
> to participate in and benefit from these discussions.

This is true.  XML-DEV supports the public discussions.  Invitation-only 
special interest group maillists support the XML core.  The XML 
applications (eg, XSL, XLL) are supported as well.
 
> While it may appear at first that comp.text.sgml is appropriate, there will
> be those interested in XML who do not care about the arcana of SGML, and
> there will be those interested in SGML who do not care to see many basic
> questions about XML.

This is speculative not substantive.  The membership of the XML and XML 
application communities overlaps the SGML community.  The extent of 
overlap should be examined, but it is probably greater than a majority.
 
> CHARTER: comp.text.xml
> 
> comp.text.xml shall be an unmoderated newsgroup for
> the general discussion of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and its
> application.

At this time, the comp-text-sgml newsgroup can support the discussion 
of SGML subsets such as the W3C consortium subset, XML and its
applications.  
There is no need for a separate group which will weaken the tenuous 
and often politically difficult to maintain spirit of cooperation
between 
international standards groups and consortium product working groups. 
This 
is not in the best interests of that alliance.

Len Bullard

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