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XTM
Meetings in Paris
XTM, or XML Topic Maps, is an ongoing standards
development activity of IDEAlliance. XTM
activities consist of two separate, but coordinating
groups. The first is the XTM Specification
Authoring Group. This group is responsible for
the technical specification of XML Topic Maps.
The second group is the XML Industry Marketing
Group. This group is responsible for the
marketing of the XTM specification. With the
growing interest in Topic Maps, and an entire track at
XML Europe 2000 dedicated to this subject, it is
fitting that major XTM meetings will be held in
conjunction with this conference in Paris.
XML Specification
Authoring Group
The purpose of the XML Topic Maps (XTM) Specification
Authoring Group is to engage in technical
activities to facilitate the use of topic maps based
on XML, including but not limited to application on
the Web.
The Specification Authoring Group will:
- Provide a forum for the discussion of issues and
technologies related to XML Topic Maps.
- Develop, publish and
maintain a
specification, known as the XTM Specification, for
the use of topic maps based on XML.
- Maintain public archives from which software and
information relevant to the Group can be obtained
through electronic transfer.
Ultimate responsibility for and control of the XTM Specification
resides with the XTM Participating Members. XTM
Participating Members are individuals representing
producers or consumers of topic map products. Participating Membership is
open to anyone. Membership to GCA is not prerequisite.
A
Participating Member must declare intent to become a Participating Member and
must declare their sponsoring organization. Each Participating Member must
commit to participate in face-to-face meetings, conference calls, and agree to
provide work product for the specification. Participation
is free-of-charge. However, since there is no
source of funding for XTM technical work, a meeting fee
may be collected to support the rental of
the room, AV equipment, and coffee.
XML Industry Marketing
Group
In addition to
the technical working group, a key component of
IDEAlliance standards work includes marketing the new
specification. This activity is critical in
opening the market for XTM-based products and in
assuring the success of the work of the technical
working group. The activities of this group will
include:
- Promote the use of
the XTM Specification.
- Recommend the XML Topic Map
Specification to key industry organizations and
initiatives such as W3C and IETF.
- Encourage the development of technology
to support the XTM Specification.
- Encourage the
development of interoperable XTM
implementations, and provide a forum for resolution of
interoperability issues.
- Provide industry
education and awareness about XTM through
conference presentations, press events, and
published articles.
- Organize and Promote
industry events focusing on XTM technologies.
- Provide marketing
collateral for XTM including exhibition posters,
brochures, and a Web site.
The XTM Industry
Marketing Group will have an initial meeting in Paris
on Wednesday, June 14. Because the task of
marketing XTM involves significant expense, this group
will be made up of sponsor and affiliate companies whose
membership fees support the ongoing XTM
marketing activities.
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