Think about our great great grand children.

Man is unique, we can transfer vast amounts of knowledge
from one generation to the next. Most of the  mathematics on
which our current technology is based was developed more
than 200 years ago.

The Net and digital technology can develop to a point where
there can take over this function from books. Given
the vast volume of paper required to store our current
knowledge it is probable a case of; the sooner the better.

I believe three things are required for this to happen:

1) The content has to stored using open standards.
2) The content has to be unencrypted
3) Libraries have to have confidence that the content
will survive a reasonable time.

Three was technically difficult, but we are close.

As we get the technology we seem to be having
difficulty with one and two.

It  looks as if  "the powers to be" in the computer Industry
are too short sighted to see the market they are destroying.
Abode have a Russian in Jail because he deencrypted an
Ebook What nonsense;  book that can't be read by picking
it up and opening the cover; that is no book.

To date W3 have work tirelessly towards open and stable
content standards. It would seem when the peak is in sight
the climb is to be abandoned.

Being able to store our knowledge in a digital  format
that is stable will bring enormous benefits to mankind. More
data will be able to be passed to future generations,
and it will be passed on in a form that can be searched,
referenced and disseminated with ease.

Yes software patents have opened up a mine field. However
it is market pressure and public opinion that was dealing with
the issue, not the courts. W3 was part of the public pressure.
In putting  this proposal up W3 has done itself, and the
cause of those  that can see the goal an enormous amount
of damage.

In your introduction material you pointed out that many other
standard groups have RAND paths. Many other standard groups
are struggling to find a relevant position in the changing world.

Of what use is a standard encumber by patents?

W3 was a very relevant group, a group on which the future
of mankind depended. Why do you want to become another
irrelevant standards body?

Your Sincerely

Charles Esson

Received on Thursday, 4 October 2001 17:49:11 UTC