xml-dev - RE: standards body parallel

["Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@ingr.com>]

The harshest criticism of SGML's initial 
development was that is was an "IBM thing" which 
wasn't the case.  It had an IBM editor who 
leveraged the work on GML done at IBM, plus 
development on other attempts to build 
platform independent languages.  It competed 
directly with vendor-lockedin WYSIWYG and 
that was the hardest problem to overcome.

If it is a good and workable idea, it may 
bob to the surface several times before 
it gets a lung full of air and starts 
swimming.    The hype surrounding it often is 
what pushes it to the surface.  In the long term, 
it has to be useful and in most cases, 
reasonably easy to use.  

There is and has always been a competition 
to be the editor because that person or 
persons exercises tremendous control over 
the results, and takes tremendous responsibility 
toward getting the job done.  If not chosen 
well, it dies on the editor's desk.

Leadership is the most important issue, not employer.  
That is why I suggest people re-read the Federalist 
Papers.  Not to adopt the philosophy or means, 
but to understand how individuals can overcome 
the mass mentality of populist rhetoric to 
ensure that the system which emerges is workable.  
I point out Ben Franklin as an example of means 
that are often more subtle than a flaming zealot 
can ever manage.  A guy with a match and a loaded pipe 
and can do quite a lot with a room full of arguing 
hot heads.

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

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


-----Original Message-----
From: David Megginson [mailto:david@megginson.com]

You'd think so, but then again, look at the developers who did the
actual prototypical (pre-REC) XML programming work -- Norbert Mikula,
Tim Bray, James Clark, David Megginson [me!], Peter Murray-Rust, Henry
Thompson, and a few others who'll justly be upset I've forgotten them,
all at that time independents or academic researchers.  More
independents and academics did similar work for the other XML-related
standards as they came around.