Re: SGML and HTML

Paul Burchard ([email protected])
Fri, 19 May 95 15:59:39 -0600

[email protected] (Robert DiFalco)
> What's wrong with HyTime itself? A couple of years ago, I
> had an opportunity to do a bit of research on HyTime. I've
> forgotten most of it, but I remember being really
> impressed with the standard.

Recently, a so-called "simple HyTime proposal" for HTML was
attempted, and quickly shot down in the HTML Working Group. Why?

* Because the proposers didn't think carefully about backwards
compatibility.
* Because the proposers didn't have any actual implementation
(working HTML browser) to back them up.

Given the large installed base of the Web, you have to sell any
proposed extension on its power and wide applicability versus the
difficulty of implementation and upgrading. Even desperately needed
features (like a FILE upload widget for FORMs) can be a hard sell.

This is not meant to discourage a HyTime approach...just to help
you map out a better strategy for its adoption.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Burchard <[email protected]>
``I'm still learning how to count backwards from infinity...''
--------------------------------------------------------------------