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> [Note: to keep the debate focused, let's not invoke SGML: SGML
> represents _how_ you'd mark up your text, not whether you could design
> a single version of the text and graphics that would work well in both
> media.]
Geoff, you raise the discussion to a new and useful level of abstraction by
talking about the problems of optimizing inforrmation for digestion in various
media. You are getting the focus off the products and on to the problems we
have to solve. Bravo.
I'll agree with your afternote, with one exception. SGML represents the
structure of information, not a markup. It is possible to create SGML
structures that are completely independent of any presentation orientation and
reuse parts of it as appropriate.
But you are correct in that SGML is a means of solving a problem. Discussion of
it should not be confused with discussing the problem to be solved. And in this
case, the problem, as you point out, gets quite subtle.
Best regards,
/chet
Chet Ensign
Director of Electronic Documentation
Logical Design Solutions
571 Central Avenue http://www.lds.com
Murray Hill, NJ 07974 censign -at- lds -dot- com [email]
908-771-9221 [Phone] 908-771-0430 [FAX]