Dear All

[alis@contentrelations.com]

Currently I personally favour the simplicity of the RSS 0.91+ route.

I'm glad that RSS 1.0 exists.  Six months from now I may look at it 
again and think "actually I think I'd rather use this" or "I could 
use this for something else".

I love choice.  I think it's great that there are different groups 
taking XML headline syndication in different directions.

I hate the fact that they are both called RSS, because that just 
makes no logical sense to anyone.

Surveys seem to suggest that RSS 0.90/ 0.91 content is currently far 
more popular than RSS 1.0, therefore RSS 1.0 being the one to change 
seems a less disruptive route than the other way round.

I realise that the name "RSS" has value to both groups, but this 
confusion is hurting everyone.

Could RSS 1.0 changes its name to something else?
Could the RSS 0.91+ group support RSS 1.0 in changing its name?

Look at the RSS 0.92, 0.93 and you will see no mention of RSS 1.0.
Look at the RSS 1.0 spec and you will see no mention of RSS 0.92, 
0.93.

That is a problem.  I want to see clear information everywhere.

I want the RSS 1.0 spec to be called something else, tell me that it 
grew from RSS 0.90, tell me what it is about and also mention that 
RSS 0.91+ exists somewhere else.

Likewise I'd like to see the RSS 0.93 spec say what it is about and 
mention that there is another format that shares some of its history, 
i.e. whatever RSS 1.0 is calling itself.

This is my humble opinion.  If it's lousy it's because I'm confused, 
not because I mean to be unfair or offend anyone.  Educate me.  We 
should be organizing the best way forward for both sides, not flaming 
each other.

Look at the example James Shaw has set.  He has kissed goodbye to his 
STORS format, embraced RSS and put up with all the recent confusion 
and flames on this list.  It's a credit to him that he hasn't left 
and is instead setting up the first ASP site to cover RSS.  If we 
could all take a leap out of his book, headline syndication would be 
a lot better.


Alis Marsden