[uf-discuss] Very basic question that is not in the FAQ

[Scott Reynen]

On Jun 22, 2006, at 1:20 PM, Kevin Marks wrote:

> The point of microformats is to give up control. Technorati  
> genuinely believes that distributed open formats are more valuable  
> than centralised closed ones, and that is a big reason why Tantek  
> and I work here.

I know all this.  My point is that someone reading microformats.org  
for the first time does not, and they should.

> The problem may be that 'clarifying ownership' involves a  
> digression into Open Source theory rather than a simple disclaimer.  
> If you have a good way of explaining this do please share it.

On http://microformats.org/about I'd suggest something like:

"
microformats are:

  ... open data format standards that a diverse community of  
individual and organizations are actively developing ...

microformats are not:

.... Controlled by any individual or organization....

On http://microformats.org/wiki/faq I'd suggest something like:

"Q: Who controls microformats?

A: An open community. Microformats are open standards licensed under  
Creative Commons Attribution.  Work on microformats began at  
Technorati, who later divested control of microformats to an open  
community.... The microformats.org domain is registered to  
CommerceNet, but CommerceNet claims no control over microformat  
standards..."

I'd like to be able to point people to words like these.  I can say  
these things myself, but my words don't carry as much weight as  
microformats.org.  In my experience, fearful, uncertain, and  
distracted people prefer weighty words.

Peace,
Scott