Moratorium on dates discussion, starting now

[Paul Hoffman / IMC <phoffman@xxxxxxx>]

Greetings again. The current threads on dates are not going anywhere. 
Lots of things are being said, but not much is being heard. And we're 
not getting any closer to a widely-held consensus, yet that is our 
only way forward.

So, as of this message, Tim and I are calling a ONE-WEEK MORATORIUM 
on any date-related discussion on the mailing list. No rehashing, no 
new ideas, no new paces. The purpose of this moratorium on speaking 
on the list is to get everyone to think to themselves:

- what do I want for dates in Atom?

- what do I *really* need for dates in Atom?

There is a big difference between these two questions, and that 
difference is going to be the thing that will help us come to 
consensus. The act of thinking about it silently for a week should 
help each of us (even those who don't have strong opinions) to figure 
out what it is we most care about. That will, in turn, help us work 
towards a consensus.

Note that this a moratorium on mailing-list traffic. It is fine if 
you want to talk to individuals off-line if that will help your 
thought process on what you want, and what you need, for dates.

And, yes, Tim and I have a plan of what we will announce next Friday 
as the way forward. What we do is not relevant to how you should be 
thinking about this, but rest assured that the next step will be one 
that will focus on consensus-building.

So, even if some has just posted something that you really, really 
want to respond to: don't. Sit and think about dates for a week. And 
please participate in the other active non-date topics on the list. 
Thanks!

--Paul Hoffman, Director
--Internet Mail Consortium