[sc34wg3] "Topic Map" or "Topic Maps"?

Michel Biezunski sc34wg3@isotopicmaps.org
Sat, 4 Jan 2003 06:54:57 -0500


Mary,
 
> I have to say I still agree with Steve and I think that we should 
> all check 
> our Style Manuals, as I said before. I don't think that this one 
> need to be 
> up for debate. We should also depend on the standards of others :)

I recognize your point. I was simply putting more
emphasis on the brand name than on the style. 

At a certain point Topic Maps becomes like a proper
name, and when it becomes widely used it doesn't matter
so much what it means. For example, I don't know how
many people know what the HTML acronym means, even among
HTML users (and even Web designers).

I believe the more Topic Maps will be used the less people
will need to know why it's called like that. In the mean
time, we need to be consistent as far as the standard
is concerned. Now this doesn't prevent the vernacular usage
to be different from what the standard says. This may be
where the stylistic issues you raise will eventually apply.

Michel
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Michel Biezunski
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