Longer or more meetings?

Randy Bush randy@psg.com
Sat, 07 Dec 2002 15:02:59 -0800


> But, folks do seem to be awfully focused on "relevance" these
> days...  What, exactly, does it mean if if doesn't mean
> "implemented by large vendors"?

<rant>

emacs and gcc are relevant and useful, and not implemented by large
vendors (though borrowed).  the x86 based unixes and linux are
relevant and useful and not implemented by large vendors (though
borrowed).  contrary to popular rumor, the internet was not
invented by microsoft or ibm, but at <gasp!> universities (well,
kindof).

it might shock some people here, but there are these critters
called 'users', which is what all this is about.  'relevant' and
'useful' are measured from user perspective, not by manufacture.
and it's not measured in $ale$ volume, but in user popularity,
satisfaction, productivity, user life cycle costs and benefits,
etc.

standards organizations are so that these user critters can get
compatiblity between vendors, vendor independence, known measurable
goods, etc.

randy