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From: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us (Doug Philips)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Re: TO ANSI TEAM
Message-ID: <1634.UUL1.3#5129@willett.pgh.pa.us>
Date: 29 Aug 90 03:46:19 GMT
References: <12395@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>
Organization: String, Scotch tape, and Paperclips.  (in Pgh, PA)
Lines: 46

In <12395@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>, ir230@sdcc6.ucsd.edu (john wavrik) writes:
> 
> The BASIS document serves to allow interested parties to examine the 
> work of the Team and to make proposals. If it cannot be made available 
> in a timely fashion, the purpose is subverted. Perhaps the job is too 
> big for one person. [Suggesting that a job may be too big for one 
> person should not be taken as reflecting on that person's heroism or 
> dilligence.] 

As I mentioned in another message, X3J14 is the FIRST TC to get an
electronic version of the BASIS/dpANS out at all.  You may rail against
ANS about that, but I think one should keep perspective here.  The
cheap cost of a paper copy should not prevent anyone in the "States"
who wants a copy from getting one.  The issue here is really one of
medium of dispersion, not of availability.

> Posting a document of this size on a BBS is not a good way to 
> disseminate it.

And has never been done before.  Maybe FIG could sell floppies (at cost
if necessary?)

> The proposal is to make the file being used to print the document 
> available on diskette in addition to the printed document. This should 
> not be a major burden. [The Team should also consider that volunteers 
> may be willing to convert the file to another format -- but this is a 
> side issue.] 

Even if volunteers do the work, someone has to check it and has to be
able to check it.

> I think that it is quite legitimate for users of Forth to have as 
> their "burning issue":
>    
>       Will I be able to write significant programs portably
>       in the new Standard?

Without intending to flame John in particular or in general, I do not think
it is the job of the TC to go out and prove to everyone that their favorite
code can be written in the current BASIS/dpANS.

-Doug

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