Comments on XBC Characterization

I find the Characterization document interesting, but also quite
confusing.

From an editorial perspective, the fact that Section 7 intentionally
obfuscates the relationship between the candidate algorithms and the
columns in the table, *but fails to explicitly say this in the
document* is a significant editorial problem. Beyond the editorial
issue, I think the document needs to justify why this was done.

Also, there are six numbered Notes below that table, but I can find no
indication of what those notes correspond to. Perhaps they are
intended to refer to particular columns in the table. If that's the
case, then the meaning of each note escapes me.

Under the MUST NOT Prevent heading in the table, we find that
(textual) XML "Prevents" processing efficiency, small footprint, space
efficiency, and forward compatibility. I don't find the properties
document's discussion of these properties convincing on this score.

From a technical perspective, what concerns me most is that the note
says "[the] Working Group has not done any measurements on submitted
formats" and yet concludes that Binary XML is needed and feasible.

It may very well be needed and feasible, but I don't find the existing
documents convincing.

                                        Be seeing you,
                                          norm

-- 
Norman.Walsh@Sun.COM / XML Standards Architect / Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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