In the draft, Andy writes:
> All XML namespace and term URI references should be assigned with the
> intention of them being unique and persistent.  This means that the
> URI reference must not be used to identify anything else and that it
> should be expected to last as long as the Internet.

On Thu, Sep 02, 2004 at 09:52:26AM -0400, Stu Weibel wrote:
> 4. Your definition of 'persistent' is pretty close.  However, since there is
> little agreement about what constitutes the Internet even now, I am
> wondering if it might be more precise to refer to the life of the URI naming
> architecture instead?  Possibly still too vague, but how about something
> like:
>
> <begin suggested alternate wording>
> All XML namespace and term URI references should be assigned with the
> intention that they will persist for the duration of the URI naming
> conventions that provide the foundation for Internet protocols.  It is
> recognized that active management and support of such identifiers will
> persist only as long as the business processes which motivate them, however
> implementers are cautioned to adopt identifier systems with public policies
> that support non-reassignment of identifiers and public committment
> statements concerning longevity.
> <end suggested alternate wording>
>
> The reference to uniqueness seems redundant, as any URI is guaranteed
> unique?

This is a very important point.  By "expected to last", the
statement is vague as to what this means -- e.g., does it mean
"resolvable" on the Internet?  The references to Internet and
Internet protocols seem a bit beside the point - what really
matters here is that those URI-reference strings should not
be used to identify anything other than what they identified
when they were first assigned.  The statement should say this,
emphasizing the need to choose an identifier system that
is backed up by long-term institutional policy commitments
(as Stu does above).

Combining Pete's arguments against referring to XML Namespaces
with Stu's points, one might say:

    All URI references should be assigned with the intention of
    them being persistent.  This means that the URI references
    should be assigned in an identifier system backed by
    institutions committed to documenting their existence
    over the long term and by policies designed to ensure that
    the URI references will not be re-assigned for other uses.

Tom

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