[whatwg/url] Rephrase the stated goal of obsoleting RFC 3986 and RFC 3987 (Issue #703)

The topmost goal of the WHATWG standard states:

> * Align RFC 3986 and RFC 3987 with contemporary implementations and obsolete them in the process.

I believe that it will be good for this standard to first discuss, and then rephrase this goal. 

The goal as stated, is confusing; It is easy to read this to mean that the RFCs are no longer relevant and that there is a consensus across committees that the WHATWG standard is the one common URL standard. The WHATWG standard does not cover the same things as the RFCs do and vice versa, and the IETF has not endorsed the WHATWG standard. As a consequence of the above, It is likely to confuse or upset people. 

I would love to see this goal being rephrased in a way that is more honest, more accurate, and less likely to be experienced as offensive. Adding a bit of discussion around this can help a lot to dissolve misunderstandings, annoyances and even hostile responses. 

State the facts and inform the readers about the situation so that they can make their own decisions. Be honest about what the WHATWG Standard does and does not provide. Be clear that the goal has not been met yet and work towards it, or amend it and refer people to the RFCs for those things that the WHATWG cannot provide.


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Received on Wednesday, 31 August 2022 15:44:50 UTC