Date: Wed, 19 Apr 1995 12:19:15 -0400				N571
To: j.isaak@xopen.co.uk (Jim Isaak)
Subject: (j.isaak 54) X/Open and SC22/WG15

	Hi Jim,

	From time to time we have discussed informally whether there was
	a requirement to establish a 'C' liaison between WG15 and
	X/Open.  My view has always been that we should not set up such
	an arrangement until there was something that we needed to do,
	and without a liaison could not do.

	It may be that such a time has come.  X/Open would like to
	discuss with SC22/WG15 the potential for the X/Open UNIX System
	Interface specifications to be adopted as international
	standards.

	Although this is fairly old technology, the X/Open
	specifications are new ones, of which at present there are no
	implementations.  So our recommendation would be that we should
	wait for a while before beginning a formal process of
	standardization.  On the other hand there would seem to be merit
	in beginning discussions now, as the problems of standardization
	would seem to be considerable, and our concern is that it may
	involve a level of work that is beyond the resources of any of
	the obvious candidates to do it. Our aim is to keep the costs
	down to a level where they are justified by the added value of
	standardization.

	So with your agreement we would like to suggest that the
	forthcoming meeting of WG15 could agree in principle to
	establish a 'C' liaison, and could take the opportunity to begin
	discussions on the potential for standardizing the three volumes
	of the X/Open specification.

	Martin Kirk will be attending the meeting as a member of the UK
	delegation and is prepared to act as liaison.

	With best regards,

	Andrew Walker

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