Re: Introducing NetscapeML

Some historical perspective in earlier "new" technologies might be
helpful here.

Back in the 1940's when it first became accessible by the masses, 
color photography was a novelty and very expensive, so it was reserved
to document the most important life events.  But back then the fixing 
process wasn't quite perfected and people noticed that the quality of 
their pricy investment was degrading rather quickly for a medium that 
carried archival pretentions.
 
In many American towns, color photographers and photofinishers went 
out of business en-masse 5-10 years after they began because people 
wouldn't trust someone with archival responsibility of important 
information who had steered them wrong with new technology once before.

An interesting parallel to the current situation, many of these 
photographers managed to get their logo on all their client's documents.
This managed to establish sole responsibility for the earlier choice to
preserve their customers' life moments in an ill thought out application 
of new technology and reinforcing customers' decisions to take their 
business elsewhere in the future.

In any case, its a pleasant shock to see Microsoft truly constructively 
involved in the standards process.  Never thought I'd see the day.  Let's 
hope they keep it up.

-marc

Received on Saturday, 29 June 1996 22:11:49 UTC