Data misuse (was Re: template matching..)

Subject: Data misuse (was Re: template matching..)
From: Marcus Carr <mrc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 09:44:55 +1100
Guy_Murphy@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Well, one we get to philosophical matters, we can only express subjective
> opinions....

I wouldn't ask for anything less. :-)

> I take well your point about the provider of the data knowing best and in
> the kindest possible way would say "blah!"

I believe that will be the predominant opinion, and for the most part it should
be. XML is about sending properly defined data somewhere else to be used in any
variety of ways. If you are to "blah" me now, then how are you going to react
when I change my structure in a way that harms your downstream use of the data?
Is it buyer beware? I'm not saying that you shouldn't use the data, I'm just
curious about how the relationship between the vendor and the repurposer might
be managed. If you (the repurposer) told me (the vendor) how you wanted the
data, then I could change my structure as long as I managed the impact on what
you expected. Isn't this proof that as much as possible (or at least on one
layer) this is best handled by the vendor?

> As a final point, a core paradigm of XML is the divorcement of data mark-up
> from data presentation. To the person marking up the data who insists on
> stipilating presentational use I say "mind your own business" :)

I'd go further and tell them "you're wasting your time". That doesn't bridge
the gap between consumer and vendor though.


--
Regards,

Marcus Carr                      email:  mrc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
___________________________________________________________________
Allette Systems (Australia)      www:    http://www.allette.com.au
___________________________________________________________________
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
       - Einstein



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