Allegory, although interesting, doesn't provide the detached perspective I think is necessary in the search for a solution. You've indicated assumed drawbacks with ownership of a standards by public corporations interested in the market -- perhaps because the officers obligation to act in the interest of the firm must clash with the interests of the firm's customers. I don't believe that's true, but let's assume it is. The alternative of standards ownership by public corporations (non-profit, or otherwise) with _no_ interest in the market would assumedly have drawbacks as well. First of all, the officers of a non-profit are under equal obligation to the firm as there for-profit brethren. I'm familiar with the operation of several non-profits (education funds, private charitable trusts, etc.) and I can tell you they concentrate very seriously on self-preservation. It can only do good so long as it exists. Secondly, lacking direct interest in the market the owners may easily be distracted (or disinterested) in advancing the users' good in an aggressive manner. A specific problem has been presented: how to preserve access to data over the very long term. I don't know the solution, but I'm working on it. I think DWF is a well-designed solution given my understanding of the problem. My fear is that 5 years down the road we may discover that our solution of today is wrong -- it isn't in my companies interest to invest in something that won't work. Neither is it in our users' interest. That's why I'm on this list. > -----Original Message----- > From: Jeffrey McGrew [mailto:JMcGrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] > Sent: September 23, 2002 10:57 AM > To: cad-linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [cad-linux] Re: OT: Open data formats (continuation > of previous > thread) > > > > > So where does something like Autodesk's DWF format fit in=20 > > this discussion of data retirement/availability? > > I think it's the same as PDF; whereas it's a OPENLY DISCUSSED > standard, = > but NOT an OPEN STANDARD. > > What I mean by this is that fact that everything you say that > DWF can = ...snip... > that's why I'm researching open software; it behaves like the other = > things in my life do.=20 > > Jeffrey McGrew=20 >