Discontinuing simple-ruby

Dear I18N WG,

The JLReq Task Force would like to discontinue the development of the simple-ruby document (https://www.w3.org/TR/simple-ruby/, https://github.com/w3c/simple-ruby). I notified the intention to some of you in June, 2023. I would like to make it official.

Background
Briefly speaking we are discontinuing the document as we are planning a fundamental overhaul of the current description of ruby in jlreq-d which is in development. For example:

- We decided to stop using terms such as mono-ruby and group-ruby which reflects traditional workflow but do not necessarily aligned with modern architecture such as CSS. As mono- and group- rubies are very similar, unifying the two makes the description straightforward. Jukugo-ruby can be explained as a segmented ruby in a more generic way. Old terms will be described as historical concepts in side notes.

- Current description includes implicit assumptions that the base text and ruby are in fullwidth characters, and that the base is in Kanji and the ruby is in Kana. Considering modern usage of ruby with Japanese text it needs to be more generic, with explicit special casing for such a typical case where necessary.

Plan
We would like to update the document with currently open pull requests, publish it and make it a discontinued document. Open issues will not be addressed in simple-ruby but we will review them and move ones that are still relevant to jlreq-d.


Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Best REgards,

- kida