PICS Developers Group:
Call for Participation
The Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) announces the
formation of a developer's group, PICS-DEV. We expect that many but
not all members of the Technical Committee that created the initial
technical specifications will choose to join, and that many others
will join as well.
Purpose
PICS-DEV is a forum for exchange of information among individuals and
organizations developing PICS-compatible software and labeling
services. The group will serve several purposes, including but not
limited to:
- Explaining nuances of the technical specification;
- Gathering feedback about the need for changes in the
specifications;
- Informing developers about changes to the PICS technical
specifications;
- Enabling peer-to-peer communication about partnering and
interoperability testing.
Activities
The major activity will be an email distribution list. Any member of
the list can send email that will be reflected to the entire list
membership. Membership is not anonymous: any member of the list will
be able to access a list of all the other members and their email
addresses. Other activities may be arranged through the email
list. These may include face-to-face meetings for exchanging technical
information or interoperability testing, and some coordination of
media and public-relations.
How to Join
Membership is open only to those individuals and organizations who are
either developing PICS-compatible software or labeling services, or
are very seriously considering doing so. To apply for membership, send
email to jmiller@w3.org and presnick@research.att.com. Your message
should somehow convince us that you've read and at least partially
understood the PICS technical
specifications and are planning to make a compatible product or
service. You need not divulge information about your specific product
plans or development schedule. Unlike the original PICS Technical
Committee, we have no reason to keep the group size
small. Consequently, the hurdle for membership in PICS-DEV is much
lower.