In terms of history, VML, and the W3C: In April 1998, Adobe, IBM, Netscape and Sun co-submitted PGML to the W3C. (Common speculation was that this was really an Adobe thing, which I definitely can validate as being mostly true.)
In May 1998, Microsoft, Macromedia, Visio, Autodesk and HP co-submitted. (Common speculation was that this was really a Microsoft thing, which seems pretty clear based on how they went and shipped it.) Earlier in 1998, there was a Web Schematic submission from Oxford-Brooks Univ. in England. In August, 1998, the W3C held its first SVG WG meeting. Between August and October 1998, the SVG WG discussed and then published requirements for the SVG language. Based on those requirements and the various ideas from the three submissions, the SVG WG systematically defined the SVG language in such a way as to meet the stated requirements. Some of SVG's features were modeled after PGML (e.g., the SMIL Animation features). Other features were more like VML (e.g., the compact path syntax and the use of CSS). PGML was basically just an XML expression of the PostScript graphics model, but adding web things like opacity, interactivity, scripting and animation. VML generally is pretty good, but it could not be accepted as is by the W3C. For example, it has some weirdnesses regarding coordinate systems where object sizing can have a discontinuity across rotation at the 45 degree angle point. The SVG WG did not feel it was good that rotating an object via an animation would cause a discontinuous jump in the dimensions of the object as you cross the various 45 degree angle positions. There were a handful of other issues about VML. Most of these stemmed from VML's heritage as an XML expression of the particular set of features that ship with Office, versus the W3C's interest in a general-purpose graphics language. Jon At 10:06 AM 4/22/2005, you wrote: >On Friday, April 22, 2005, 2:45:22 AM, Rick wrote: > > >RB> I see XAML in some ways as a convergence of XForms, XHTML, and SVG. > >RB> It is often easier to be "second" and to avoid the mistakes of your >RB> predecessors. For example, SVG's decision to use CSS was a poor one >RB> in hindsight (its "non-XML-ed-ness" and minimal dynamism being the >RB> main reasons). > >I think that may be true, in hindsight. > >RB> XForms is too "lowest common denominator" and lacking in some >RB> basic necessary UI components so as to be minimally useful. XHTML, >RB> well, it is what it is. > >RB> Another example I frequently point to is VML. It did most of what >RB> SVG did, could be inlined in the browser, and (if I recall >RB> correctly), was even offered up for open applicability by Microsoft, >RB> but the MS haters took a different tack (maybe some of the W3C guys >RB> could correct/clarify my limited knowledge in this area). > >I fail to see how you would have accurate knowledge of that or where you >would get "MS haters" from; however, your take on events is very far >from the truth. > >VML was very much *not* offered to W3C. I believe the words were "this >is already implemented and we have no intention of allowing anyone else >to change it". > > >-- >Chris Lilley mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Chair, W3C SVG Working Group >W3C Graphics Activity Lead > > > >----- >To unsubscribe send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >-or- >visit ><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers > >and click "edit my membership" >---- > > > >---------- >Yahoo! Groups Links > * To visit your group on the web, go to: > * > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers/ > > > * > * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > * > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > * > * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ----- To unsubscribe send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -or- visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers and click "edit my membership" ---- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/svg-developers/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
