Re: text/html for xml extensions of XHTML

Hi Ian,

> Remind me, why would you want to send XML as text/html?

This is the crucial all-important point.  No one wants to send XML as
text/html.  The problem is that due to circumstances beyond their
control, large numbers of of authors will end up sending XML as
text/html for a long time to come.

The main reasons for this are:

1) improperly configured web servers at ISPs
2) old tools
3) ignorance/inconvenience

No matter how strong the technical and theoretical arguments in favor
of the strict use of MIME types, this fact is a major barrier to
adoption.  I understand perfectly why W3C has to take that position,
and why you want to adhere strictly to W3C Recs.  But I still need a
solution for our customers.

Let's try a completely different tack.  What about a completely ad hoc
interim fix, such as permitting an optional declaration of the form

<!-- mozilla-mime-preference: text/xml -->

as the absolute first thing in a file to triggers the XML parser?

If you don't like that can you think of some other creative work
around?  I'm not an XML guru, so there are probably better ways to
accomplish the idea.

--Robert

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Robert Miner                                    RobertM@dessci.com
MathML 2.0 Specification Co-editor                    651-223-2883
Design Science, Inc.   "How Science Communicates"   www.dessci.com
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Received on Tuesday, 1 May 2001 19:40:16 UTC