[idn] another idea

[Keith Moore <moore@cs.utk.edu>]

I wonder how many people would support an "ACE now, UTF-8 eventually" solution
if there were a committment to upgrade the world wide web protocols to use
UTF-8 ASAP?

Many people have argued that the web protocols are easily upgraded.  Use of
UTF-8 with HTML is already defined, and many web browsers can display it if 
the appropriate fonts are installed (even if they don't nameprep IDNs in 
links before trying to open them).  The additional specification work needed 
to insure robust interoperability should be fairly minimal.  Furthermore,
the compatibility problems assocaited with upgrading the web also appear to 
be minimal (as compared to some other applications).  The web also makes
a good test case; the experience gained in upgrading web protocols should 
be useful to the efforts to upgrade other protocols.

Also, since the web is arguably the most visible Internet application, 
upgrading the web would be a big step toward making the Internet friendly
for those who use languages other than English.

While this WG can't insist that the work be done, my guess is that the 
appropriate communities would be interested in doing the work.

Keith