Re: RfC: how to organize the DOM specs [Was: CfC: publish new WD of DOM Core]

On Mon, 5 Sep 2011, Tab Atkins Jr. wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 4, 2011 at 6:12 AM, Arthur Barstow <art.barstow@nokia.com> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Some members of the group consider the D3E spec as the highest 
> > priority of our DOM-related specs and they have put considerable 
> > resources into that spec. Doug and Jacob will continue to lead that 
> > spec effort, and as I understand it, a CR for D3E is imminent. I 
> > expect the group to help progress that spec.
> >
> > At the same time, others members have put substantial resources into 
> > DOM Core (and closely related functionality such as DOM Range). 
> > Naturally, they want to preserve that investment and I support that 
> > work continuing.
> 
> I would like to publicly register that I find the sentiment expressed in 
> the above paragraphs (regarding the work editors have put into the spec) 
> as deeply troubling.

I must agree in the most strongest terms with Tab here.

As editors we must be willing to throw away efforts when it becomes clear 
that they are not the best solution for the Web. Witness for example Web 
SQL Database, which I jettisoned as soon as it was clear that it did not 
enjoy broad support. Sunk cost is never a valid economic reason to persue 
a particular course (q.v. the "sunk cost fallacy" [1]). This applies 
equally well to technical development. The fact that we have a 
specification written or that we have personally invested in it must have 
no bearing whatsoever on our decisions regarding whether to continue.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs#Loss_aversion_and_the_sunk_cost_fallacy

-- 
Ian Hickson               U+1047E                )\._.,--....,'``.    fL
http://ln.hixie.ch/       U+263A                /,   _.. \   _\  ;`._ ,.
Things that are impossible just take longer.   `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.'

Received on Tuesday, 6 September 2011 06:42:29 UTC