RE: Explain-lite (Explain discussion)

Sebastian

> 
> If I understood Rob correctly, there is one (1) Z39.50 server supporting 
> Explain-lite? As a client developer, I am not mostly interested in getting 
> Explain-anything info via HTTP or LDAP - my clients are all exceptionally 
> good at Z39.50 already. It works for me.

let me put this into context -
- the ONE-2 project has 12 partners where at least 8 will be offering
target systems and those have expressed their intention to support explain
lite

- the fact that only 1 partners has implemented so far is simply because
the others have not reached that part of their development in the project 
and negataive aspects from the ZIG at this stage wont distract the
implementation because its what these partners _want to do_

- most of those partners were also involved in the original ONE project 
where full explain was significantly worked on, and generally concluded
that the model was too heavy and complex

- the partners are not new to Z39.50 - they have mostly implemented their
own systems and are quite capable of making up their own minds what they
want and do not want to do regarding Z39.50 - they also recognise that to
"open" this up to get general concensus from ZIG can be a costly, time
consuming exercise that cannot be risked against the current project
timescales

- I would be more inclined to take a positive view - the project is
undertaking an experiment where explain lite is being tested out - no one
has said the current specification is what the ZIG should accept or even
endorse - and this is at the partners' expense - not yours - if it works
then it will be presented to the ZIG to be accepted/commented on - your're
getting that for free
	
- finaly - I dont see this as being so different from what OCLC has done
with their Init response - except we're doing it in XML, they do it in
ASN.1  (see
http://www.oclc.org/oclc/cataloging/z3950/zcat_config.htm#init)
for details) I dont hear anyone shouting about this.

Rob

Received on Tuesday, 21 November 2000 17:27:12 UTC