🚀 go-pugleaf

I think that it is evident that eventually some kind of format standard
for multimedia mail will have to be adopted.  I also think that *none*
of the current conceivable contenders are appropriate, and that some
basic research on document representation technology still needs to be
done.  In my opinion, a standard would be premature.

Having said that, however, I think it is NOT premature for standards
bodies to be looking at the problem.  If, for example, an IFIP-sponsored
group were to meet, discuss the issues, and issue a statement that
listed some of the key issues that needed to be solved for multimedia
standards to become a reality, this would very likely hasten the
solution of the problems.

I'd be very interested in meeting with other interested parties (at the
Zurich conference or elsewhere) to see about starting such a group.  As
far as I'm concerned, anything that will hasten the advent of a GOOD
standard representation format for multimedia mail is worth a
substantial amount of time and effort.  Is there already a plan for a
workshop in Zurich on multimedia document format representation?  If
not, I'd be willing to organize one.

(The Usual Disclaimer:  The views expressed above are my own, and not
those of Bellcore.)
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           Nathaniel S. Borenstein <nsb@thumper.bellcore.com>
        Member of Technical Staff,  Bell Communications Research
Office: Bellcore Room MRE 2A-274, 445 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07962-1910
        Work phone:  (201) 829-4270     Work FAX:  (201) 829-7019
     Home: 25 Washington Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960, (201) 993-8586