On 2017-04-03, Michael J  Mahon  wrote:

> Standards can be either _de jure_ or _ad hoc_, based on market dominance.

The terms I've heard are _de jure_ vs. _de facto_.

> Networking is a kind of special case, since its essential value is in
> direct (or even quadratic) proportion to its interoperability.
>
> Sometimes by virtue of utility or priority a particular technology achieves
> market dominance and resultant _ad hoc_ standardization--the "waterhole
> effect".
>
> In other cases, multiple comparable competing technologies battle to a
> stalemate or continuing fragmentation. In such cases, a _de jure_ selection
> can provide real value to providers and consumers alike.

Otherwise, we have to wait for several years until one standard finally
wins out, e.g. VHS over Beta.

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