>
>   DC> "PAD is the Portable Application Description, and it helps 
>   DC> authors provide product descriptions and specifications to 
>   DC> online sources in a standard way, using a standard data 
>   DC> format that will allow webmasters and program librarians to 
>   DC> automate program listings. PAD saves time for both shareware 
>   DC> authors and webmasters."
>
> Oh, like FILE_ID.DIZ has been doing since the early 90s. :)  Let's
> not forget DESCRIPT.ION too.

 DC> Its a xml for easy keyword parsing as opposed to the ad laden 
 DC> FILE_ID.DIZ.

if you are seeing "ad laden" file_id.diz files, then someone is
abusing them... there is a strict and published format for them ;)

 DC> I can't say I remember seeing the .ION but I probably
 DC> ran  across it before.

i think descript.ion came from the 4DOS hidden descript.ion files that it
stores in directories... they hold the file descriptions in linear
format... one file and description per line... then when you dir from the
DOS command line, the file names, sizes, dates and descriptions are shown
uniformly and look uncannily like a BBS files list ;)

 DC> Anyways, the subject was door ideas, not good door ideas or I
 DC> wouldn't  have replied at all ;)

hehe, this (the subject) is true :)

)\/(ark