In message "Re: Soundbite: Proposed Suffix for XML-based media types",
Keith Moore wrote...
All MIME media types for XML-based documents will get the suffix '-xml'.
I think it's a silly idea. There's very little value in generic processing
of XML; there's even less value in having an extra level of delegation.
There is certainly some value, since specialized media types can enjoy
XML-generic support. IE 5.0 does "generic processing of XML" by displaying
the element hierarchy. If we interpret fragment identifiers of XML-based
media types as XPointer, that will be another example of "generic processing
of XML". (Does the same thing apply to XML fragment interchange? > PaulG)
After all, interpretation of fragment identifiers has not been well addressed
by MIME yet.
In message "Re: Proposed Suffix for XML-based media types",
Keith Moore wrote...
nobody has demonstrated a need for an extra level of type classification.
nobody has demonstrated a need for an extra level of fallback behavior.
if anything, experience with the existing two-level type system
indicates that fallback behaviors are of dubious value.
There is no consensus, as I see it. Some people believe that the existing
two-level type system is fine, while others are convinced that it is not
enough. Each camp has failed to persuade the other. Simon's proposal is
intended as a compropmise. If people live with it, I think that it is
a reasonable solution.
Cheers,
Makoto
Internet: makoto(_at_)mars(_dot_)netspace(_dot_)or(_dot_)jp
Nifty: VEQ00625