Re[2]: FAQ format (Was: Ohio State HTML FAQ archive is down

Sheerin, Peter (psheerin@mfi.com)
Mon, 10 Jul 95 09:49:00 PST

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I see several ways we could go:

1) Create a standard shepherded by the IETF, with us as the working
group. This would be good, since it would be an official standard,
with specific rules that can be followed by tool implementors in a
consistent manner. It might also mean that we have some standard (no
matter how minimalist) interface for Web browser developers to adhere
to, if there's any desire for enhanced functionality (search
capabilities, standard links to newsgroup archives, etc.)

This wouldn't be a mandatory standard for any FAQ; just a standard if
one wanted to take advantage of the tools made possible by the
standard. We should even word it that way. But having it as an
official standard should increase its acceptance.

The one drawback is that it could be a slow process, whereas we might
be able to work more quickly.

2) A standard maintained by the faq-moderators at mit.edu. Given the
wording of their current document, I don't think they'd be willing,
but this would provide a sensible location for defining the standard,
so that it was clear to anyone starting or maintaining a FAQ that
there is one core, commonly-used standard that they have the *option*
of using.

3) We just do it among ourselves, perhaps with a small reference to
our documentation in the faq-moderators' documentation. It could be
tied in with the faqbook effort.

This doesn't result in as wide-spread adoption, and will probably
result in more loopholes in the standard, for good or bad.

I, for one, think we would be foolish to not accept the willingness of
Tim O'Reilley to direct his efforts, at improving the accessability of
the FAQs, which is, IMHO, integral to their purpose. The name
recognition alone would do us wonders. I'm sure most of us here highly
regard his publications on a technical level, and having that
reputation associated with a FAQ standard would be awesome.

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: FAQ format (Was: Ohio State HTML FAQ archive is down )
Author: techsupp@traffic.is at Internet
Date: 7/10/95 9:35 AM

>"Sheerin, Peter" <psheerin@mfi.com> writes:
>> I think it's high time that we had 1-to-several suggested FAQ formats,

> I tend to agree. I believe it would go in the document that
> discusses the FAQ headers.

OK, I'm in. How do we go around to create one? Somebody just doing a suggestion
and posting it here?

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