#: 7889 S15/Hot Topics
    29-Oct-90  03:47:07
Sb: #7818-OSK Software
Fm: Ed Gresick 76576,3312
To: Mike Knudsen 72467,1111

kn1

Mike,

I believe the first task of the consortium will be to agree on 'standards'
between the hardware vendors.  This would deal mainly with screen control,
keyboard output, etc. standards - really agreement on a set of termcap entries
and for graphics - definitions.  There is the possiblity that a hardware vendor
may add some functions pecular to his machine.  Should this occur, the software
writer must be imformed of this so he may consider his options.  Other problems
may come up (like how is a mouse or other peripherals handled).  Platforms I
hadn't considered but should probably be considered are the Atari, the
industrial and business hardware. I doubt we can get representives from these
manufacturers so we'll have to 'wing it'.  (It may be decided not to consider
this hardware.)

I don't think we should be involved in establishing user interface standards. 
That should be left to the programmer - we can end up with some very innovative
user interfaces that way.  (Look at what Word Perfect did to Word Star in the
MS-DOS world.)

There is no way a programmer can be compelled to follow these standards; all we
can do is agree on a set of standards and disseminate the information. The most
we could do is 'certify' that the software will run in an identical manner on
the various platforms - but some sort of testing will have to be arranged to do
that.  And, in no way, shape or form can the consortium pass on the merits of a
program.  Let's leave that to the buyers and reviewers.

(Continued)