Re: Purpose of this mailing list

I try to formulate something I'm not really sure about

On the one hand, you are right. (and I have poluted this list myself on a 
few occasions)

But seen the amount of reactions (and the swiftness) on the topic 'just 
awnser true or false' (I believe it was that) on the differences between 
MSIE and NS on their support of css, I think this list should be 
concurned with something more than the pure theory of developping the 
perfect HTML standard. 

There is also a practice out there where - in some cases - nobody knows 
what to do anymore because of the differences in platforms and browsers. 
And I thought the HTML standard was developed to break down those 
barriers. But - as I see it - somehow it has taken another turn. 

Wouldn't it be wise to try to formulate a path to take for a new standard 
based on the practice, instead of the pure theory where everything is 
supposed to work fine? 

That wouldn't mean this list becomes just another mailing list for 
problems of web-authors

But - sometimes it is not easy to find a list where problems can be 
discussed on a high level

And --- Maybe it is good to look at the practice from a high perspective 
and see what can be done. Maybe to formulate some awnsers.

I don't know. But I do know that I don't like what I see: a lot of energy 
is going to waste just because of commercial strategies. The public is 
not served with that. And some developments are halted. 

On the other hand: this list could also be a law giving body of 
authority. Regardless of what the practice is, it formulates the way to 
take and it demands all other people should follow. But is the road to 
take not formulated by the needs of the users? And maybe the users needs 
some clarity. 

Acording to some, the web is THE democratic medium. But the more 
technical it gets  - because of a higher standard, and last but nog least 
because of a all the confusion - the further away the pure democracy gets.

In Holland (Europe) where I live, the web is developping more and moe in 
a TV station with only commercials. And I don't like what I see. I think 
the technical confusion is in part to blame. On the other hand it might 
be true that people here have to realize nobody wants to watch a station 
with only commercials. And then some things will change.

Jeroen Goulooze

Received on Saturday, 30 May 1998 03:37:25 UTC