From: Dave Barr (barr@cis.ohio-state.edu)
Date: Mon Jul 19 1999 - 15:24:09 CDT
> In the meantime, our Chairman should be deciding about whether we will do
> those two new headers on this present pass. It might be a good idea whilst
> the discussion is still fresh ih our minds. I think there is a consensus
> that those header(s) are needed in some form.
My rule of thumb when deciding such issues is:
1) Is the idea simple?
2) Does the idea have merit?
3) Does the idea have a current implementation (or is it similar to
another concept which is well known)?
4) Does the idea not conflict with current practice or reasonably
forseen future practice?
5) Does the idea have consensus now or in the short term?
If the answer is 'yes' to all, then it's a shoe-in. If the answer
is 'sort of' or 'no' to any, then a proportional degree of justification
will need to be given to justify that we spend time now
tackling the appropriate issue (e.g. lack of consensus).
What I've seen so far in this Complaints-To thread is an extreme
amount of arguing, indicating a lack of consensus. Despite the
usual odds, many of the issues seem to be resolved now.
I probably missed it, but I suggest someone post a proposed
text and let's debate that for a week or so and see how it goes.
If we don't get anywhere, we'll table it for the end of the
current round or for the next round.
--Dave
Your Chair