Re: [art] WHATWG URL spec citation in draft-ietf-appsawg-file-scheme

[[e-mail] (Henry S. Thompson)]

John C Klensin writes:

> ...

> However, if the IESG is going to allow a non-critical discussion of a
> definition alternative to 3986, even in a "Similar Technologies"
> section or appendix, then, IMO, a completely rigid position that
> people, at least some readers, believe that RFC 3986 takes a position
> and that position is therefore sacrosanct becomes untenable.

I don't see how this follows, and I disagree.  It doesn't follow because
recognition of the existence of a competing _non-IETF_ spec is not the
same as recognition of a conflict _between_ IETF specs.

I disagree because in general if we are going to publish a spec which
contradicts/extends/clarifies (pick any number) an existing IETF spec,
we have a process for signalling that the existing spec is
replaced/extended/amended, and I don't believe we should be forced to
abandon that commitment to _internal_ consistency as some kind of
collateral damage arising because we acknowledge that the rest of the
world doesn't always respect our authority :-).

ht
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       Henry S. Thompson, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
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