[Bug 24047] Define or link to a definition of the word "non-normative" and possibly the word "normative"

https://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=24047

Leif Halvard Silli <xn--mlform-iua@xn--mlform-iua.no> changed:

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--- Comment #1 from Leif Halvard Silli <xn--mlform-iua@xn--mlform-iua.no> ---
The phrase ”non-normative“ is standard vocabulary in w3c specs. For instance
the ReSpec spec production tool inserts the phrase “This section is
non-normative“ just beneath the heading of sections that are not normative.

Thus I don't believe in finding a synonym. 

But it *is* confusing that the spec _begins_ with the words «everything in this
spec is non-normative» as this begs the question “so why should I read this
document?“

I think it would be less confusing if it was possible to make a more positive
statement, first, like so:: «Everything in this specification is normative ….»
And then to end with the exeptions: “ ... except when otherwise stated”.

Or, to perhaps lean towards the “synonym” solution could be to focus on the
word “Conformance“ instead of focusing on (non-)normative. E.g. explain which
parts of the spec that contains conformance rules.

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Received on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 15:51:24 UTC