SUO: Contributions vs Starter Documents
Dear Colleagues,
On the website that I have proposed for the SUO WG at:
http://suo.ieee.org/newindex.html
I have dropped the term "Starter Document" in favour of
the word "Contribution". Jim feels that this might be
sufficiently contentious that I should draw this specifically
to your attention so it can be discussed, rather than
surprise people later - which is fair enough.
Apologies to those who think this is just a bore.
My rationale for proposing the change is as follows:
1. The term "starter document" has historicaly caused us
a lot of angst, particularly around SUMO, but in practice
the web site lists OpenCYC as a starter document when it
has not had a motion specifically making it one. No one
seems to have objected to that. So it seems to have been
devalued as conveying special status. (Of course many people
also specifically objected to the idea of anything having
special status.)
2. The term is misleading. In each case what is really
referred to is ongoing work, not a particular version of
a document. This is potentially misleading - especially
to those who are not part of this community or are new
to it.
3. Contribution seems to fit rather well as a replacement.
I think it catches the accomodation we seem to have
arrived at in practice.
However, the choice - as they say - is yours.
Please let me know what you think.
Matthew West
Principal Consultant
Shell Information Technology International Limited
Shell Centre, London SE1 7NA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7934 4490 Mobile: +44 7796 336538
Email: matthew.west@shell.com
Internet: http://www.shell.com
http://www.matthew-west.org.uk