RE: [xml-dev] The Allure of Gothic Markup

["Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>]

Hi Folks,

Simon's paper invites us to challenge our commonly held beliefs:

Belief:
	- scalable is good
	- if you create an XML vocabulary and it gets 
	  used by only a few systems, it's a failure
	- an XML vocabulary that is used by thousands 
	  is good, millions is better

Counterargument: 
	- individuality is good
	- combining XML fragments to create an XML 
	  vocabulary which meets the needs of a 
	  recipient -- ah, now that's the way to create XML

Belief:
	- contracts are good
	- create XML Schemas and require all information 
	  exchanges adhere to that XML Schema contract. 

Counterargument: 
	- infinite replication is lousy 
	- it is not good to have every house in a neighborhood 
	  look identical, nor is it good to have every XML 
	  instance look the same. 

/Roger