RE: [www-vrml] Tim BL Is Baffled, Too

["Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <len.bullard@intergraph.com>]

The problem of attempting to draw conclusions from the 
lessons of the history of the web is that it is mired 
in myths that are now accepted as true. 

For the sake of a true history, the HTML design 
is gencoding.  It had already been proven several times 
most specifically in the form of a DTD written by Truly 
Donovan at IBM using the SGML-predecessor, GML, which 
incorporated parts of Brian Reid's Scribe.  The HTML 
design (or use of markup) was suggested by colleagues 
of Tim BL who were SGML experts.  It was based on 
designs which had worked quite successfully before.   
On the other hand, it's newer version, XHTML, which 
fixed all of HTML's problems has largely failed to 
be adopted if content percentages are the measure. 

Perfect isn't a predictor.  Ease is.  Even if there 
is no immediate application, something that is easy 
to build with eventually inspires.  Serendipity has 
mojo.  Perfection doesn't.  It isn't dynamic.

IME, this is true:

1)  Design is best done by small groups with adequate 
resources.  Reviews are best done by larger groups 
with or without resources but with adequate background.

2)  The environment that enabled the early web developers 
to work without much organizational or legal oversight 
does not exist today.   The easiest mistake to make is 
to believe what worked once works again in a different 
environment.  History is not always instructive and is 
more seldom, duplicated.

3) Free memberships are fine for individuals.  The 
participation agreement is necessary.

4) The proposals I've seen for lists, list moderation, 
closing or opening of lists, use of other web resources 
etc. have been far more draconian than the measures 
adopted.  One unfair aspect of these discussions IS 
closure, but not always in that others are restricted 
from giving input, but that they are not witness to 
the proposals, processes and decisions that would allow 
them to understand who, how, and why they are made. 
What may not be understood is that the Consoritium 
is far more liberal and inclusive than it might have 
been had the board, current and past, not made protecting the 
interests of the VRML community a top priority.

5)  X3D will not live, die, prosper or wither based 
on the discussions on this list.  It is a working 
technology.  It is now about applications that are 
useful and marketable.  The sense of community might 
die.  That only requires poisoning the well.

6) When I look back over technical history, innovations 
that succeed as business objects seldom have the names 
of the innovators on them.   It is a harsh lesson, but 
history favor's winners not whiners.

X3D needs business objects and drag and drop frameworks.

len
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