OASIS News from Scott

["Scott McGrath" <scott.mcgrath@oasis-open.org>]

Dear OASIS members,

Welcome to the first issue of OASIS News from Scott.
As the member services manager, I’ve heard some of you say that
you are interested in the work of OASIS, but that your day-to-day
routine sometimes prevents you from keeping up with the ongoing
news and events.  Therefore, I’ve created OASIS News from Scott
as an occasional reminder of what you should know.  I expect the
format to be somewhat loose, the information to be fresh and
perhaps even the presentation to somewhat entertaining, but you
will be the final judge. So much for the introduction, let’s get
to it….

Review of  Xtech 2000, San Jose, CA
This was my first conference and expo with OASIS and gave me the
opportunity to meet many employees of member organizations.
Meeting members is important and gives me the opportunity to get
firsthand feedback from you.  If you are wondering how important
your feedback is, let this inaugural issue of OASIS News from
Scott serve as testimony that I listen to your concerns.  So, to
all that stopped by and chatted, thank you.  For anyone who
walked by the booth unnoticed, sorry we missed the opportunity.

The opening keynote address by Jon Bosak was a great
presentation.  His presentation, Grass Roots XML, illustrated his
vision of the need for democratic participation in the XML
development process.  He announced his reduced focus on his work
with W3C to working more with the OASIS Technical Committees to
enhance user control of the XML standardization process.  I
believe Jon’s transition follows the evolution of XML and clearly
illustrates his commitment to see the development of XML as a
widely available, openly used, democratically developed body of
common languages.  Without the democratic process taking hold, be
assured someone will develop the standards for you, but perhaps
in a proprietary fashion or in a fashion that does not suit your
needs.  Jon’s message-participate in the process that OASIS
provides!    You can download the presentation from
www.oasis-open.org
OASIS Technical Committees meetings at Xtech.
The Regrep TC held their first meeting, after being reinitialized
by the Advisory Committee on Technical Committees.  The committee
reviewed progress by several of its members, including Boeing and
NIST, and set the groundwork for future efforts in the areas of
handling submissions and addressing interoperability issues.
Regrep will now be meeting every other week by phone and on 15
June in Paris.  For more information, contact  Terry Allen
tallen@sonic.net

The DocBook Technical Committee drew great interest as usual.
There are some changes forthcoming in the DocBook mailing lists,
to better segregate the mail traffic.  For more information on
this committee, contact Norman Walsh  ndw@nwalsh.com

A new Technical Committee in the formative stages drew much
interest. An informational meeting on XSLT Conformance filled the
Boardroom with interested participants.  If you were not part of
the meeting and want more information contact Ken Holman
gkholman@CraneSoftwrights.com

Want to form a New Technical Committee?
OASIS is in the process of streamlining the process of creating
new Technical Committees.  These changes will enable quicker
Technical Committee formation in response to community needs.
Watch the OASIS website for new information on the process.
Meanwhile, if you have a vision of, or need for a new technical
committee, do not wait for someone else to form it.  Contact us
to learn how to start the process.

Phone Calls from Scott
Yes, it is true. I am calling the Primary Contacts from each of
our member organization.  My primary goal is to touch base with
everyone, to make certain we have updated and correct contact
information for your organization.  I also want to learn how each
member organization derives value from their OASIS organization.
We serve several constituencies and I need to know where each of
you fit in order to best meet your needs.  So, if you receive a
voice mail from me-call back.  If I have not yet called you and
you have some information for me, call me directly.  If your
contact information has changed, you should let me know as soon
as possible.

That is it, for the inaugural issue of  OASIS News from Scott.
Any comments, issues or thoughts should be sent directly to me.
I’m listening….


Scott McGrath
Member Services Manager

OASIS
Organization for the Advancement of
Structured Information Standards

OASIS
PO Box 455
Billerica, MA  01821

+1 978 667 5115  (US & Int'l Voice)
+1 978 667 5114  (US and Int'l Fax)

scott.mcgrath@oasis-open.org
http://www.oasis-open.org