RE: [idn] Reality Check

["Russ Rolfe" <rrolfe@windows.microsoft.com>]

>> we can't expect people to upgrade their applications en masse. nor=20
>> would this make good operational sense.

> We are expecting them to do it for ACE (so that it is usable anyway).
> We might as well let them move to recent state-of-the-art when they
> do it.

All thou I have been most of the time a silent observer, I agree here
with Eric, and would to like to state the following:

1. Since IDN is a new feature being added to the internet, most people
   will accept the premise that to use a new feature, you will most
   likely need to upgrade to some application or system that=20
   supports the use of this feature.

2. Before the Internet became the default carrier for E-mail, many
   companies had some internal system that allowed electron mail.
   With these E-mail packages people could send e-mail to some=20
   people but not to all the people they wanted.  As the internet
   became more accesses able to companies, people began to=20
   request the ability to send to others out side of their systems.
   A lot of these companies had to install whole new systems in order
   to accommodate this request.  And while doing so, a lot of us had
   to live with two or more E-mail systems to do our work until every
   thing was right.

   I see no difference in this analogy then what we are trying to do
   with the introduction of an IDN standard.  With the introduction
   of a UTF-8 based IDN, those who wish to use it will upgrade
   to the applications and systems that can handle it.  While in
   the process of upgrading, people may not be able to communicate=20
   with everyone they want to via the new feature, but if it is
   important enough, these people will use both IDN and non-IDN
   address until every they need to communicate can, but because
   it is important all parties will upgrade there systems ASAP.

3. I have read a lot of comments on this list that state that ACE
   is just an intermediate step to help us get to a UTF-8 solution.
   IMHO most intermediate steps become long term solutions (for
   example how many of you have seen supposable TEMPORARY taxes =20
   that have actually been repealed -- not very many).

Thus I would suggest that a UTF-8 solution that in the beginning may
cause some a little irritation, will actually help us get to the UTF-8
solution quicker than using ACE as an intermediate step.  For it is
human nature to remove or change that which is uncomfortable first
before addressing things that don't seam to be causing problems.

Regards, Russ Rolfe (rrolfe@microsoft.com)
Microsoft