CR exit criteria for XLink/Schema imposed by XHTML/SMIL

The XLink Candidate Recommendation does not allow programs to recognize
linking markup used in XHTML and SMIL (e.g. <img src="foo.gif" />) 
as generic links. Having this work with XLink would require changing the
linking syntax of these languages, which is very difficult due
to the installed base, which e.g. means that a large number of authors 
are used to the current conventions. On the other hand, generic
link recognition over many XML-based languages is desirable to enable
generic tools that operate on links, such as link-checkers, content 
management systems etc.

In a meeting between Tim Berners-Lee, Dan Connolly (representing XML
Schema), Philipp Hoschka (representing SMIL) and Daniel Veillard
(representing XLink), there was consensus that Xlink and XML
Schema should not exit CR unless there is a solution to generic 
link recognition that allows XHTML and SMIL to continue to use their 
current linking markup. In particular, it must be demonstrated that 
a program can use this solution to detect the linking semantics of 
XHTML and SMIL linking attributes.

Such a solution is currently under development
http://www.w3.org/XML/Group/2000/09/NOTE-xlink-naming.html
It based on the idea of developing an XML Schema that can
be used to express that a certain attribute has semantics
equivalent to a certain combination of Xlink attribute-values.

This solution had originally been requested during the call on
the Director's decision on moving Xlink to CR.
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Member/w3c-archive/2000Jun/0061.html

> [23:25:12] <DanC_lap> ==== 2.2.5. Not meeting requirement of handling existing markup
> [23:26:41] * Janet  drops off for press call
> [23:27:04] <DanC_lap> CL: I sent mail about requirements vs. design [@@pointer?]
> [23:27:57] <DanC_lap> PH: it's clear that the Symm WG didn't get what they asked for...
> [23:28:04] <DanC_lap> ... but I think XLink 1.0 will have other uses
> [23:28:13] <DanC_lap> ... let's do push on this XML Schema solution
> [23:29:20] <DanC_lap> [DV talked about a request for schema functionality earlier]
> [23:31:00] <DV_> PH: add that to the Schemas WG
> [23:31:09] <DV_> PH: through the CG
> [23:32:05] <DanC_lap> ACTION DV: attempt to get this functionality in schemas; excalate to the XML CG if necessary
> [23:32:21] <DanC_lap> DV: I may attend schema ftf

Received on Tuesday, 19 September 2000 05:16:23 UTC