[Bug 7542] New: Remove Section 5. Microdata

http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=7542

           Summary: Remove Section 5. Microdata
           Product: HTML WG
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: Macintosh
        OS/Version: Mac System 9.x
            Status: NEW
          Severity: major
          Priority: P2
         Component: HTML5 spec bugs
        AssignedTo: dave.null@w3.org
        ReportedBy: shelleyp@burningbird.net
         QAContact: public-html-bugzilla@w3.org
                CC: ian@hixie.ch, mike@w3.org, public-html@w3.org,
                    shelleyp@burningbird.net


The Microdata section was added in response to several use cases provided by
various people[1]. Most, if not all, of the people were more interested in
incorporating RDFa into HTML5. Rather than incorporate RDFa the HTML5 author
unilaterally added a section on a new format, called Microdata. 

In a previous query to the HTML WG about whether people liked the Microdata
section[2], only a few people responded, none form the group who submitted the
original use cases for HTML5 metadata. The author of the section has, himself,
stated that he doesn't care for it--something reaffirmed with recent IRC
discussions involved with testing the Microdata section[3].

None of the original use case submitters were every queried if this met their
needs or interests, and none have responded affirmatively to the Microdata
section. In fact, most discussion on the section has been negative.[4] 

In addition, the section contains references to external vocabularies, each of
which is maintained by a separate organization, meaning that the mapping
between the vocabulary in the Microdata section can, and probably will, become
out of date with the external vocabulary. Not only would this not be useful, it
could be confusing, and even harmful [5].

There is currently a Raised issue on the Microdata section [5], blocking last
call. One way to resolve this issue, and ensure its closure before Last Call is
to remove the Microdata section, either into its own spec, or entirely. This
would also have the added advantage of reducing what is already an overly large
specification. 


[1] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2009May/0207.html
[2] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2009Jun/0732.html
[3] http://krijnhoetmer.nl/irc-logs/whatwg/20090908#l-301
[4] http://lists.whatwg.org/pipermail/whatwg-whatwg.org/2009-May/019601.html
[5]
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&tbo=1&num=50&tbs=qdr%3Ay&q=site%3Alists.whatwg.org+%2Bpredefined&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
[5] http://www.w3.org/html/wg/tracker/issues/76


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Received on Tuesday, 8 September 2009 13:07:58 UTC