Re: [syndication] RE: RFC: Clearing confusion for RSS, agreement for forward motion

["Dave Winer" <dave@userland.com>]

I only have time for a quick reply.

There's a major problem with the naming:

1. RSS 0.91

2. RSS-Simple x.xx

3. RSS-Semantic-x.xx

The problem is this.

Why is RSS-Simple simpler than RSS 0.91?

The answer is: It isn't!

There's a great anecdote in Positioning by Ries and Trout.

A customer walks into a bar and says "Give me a Johnny Walker."

Bartender: "Red label or black?"

Customer (confused): "Screw it give me a Chivas."

Line extension is one of the evils of marketing. It screws both products,
although at first it might appear to give the new one a lift, it confuses
the customer, and causes them to freeze.

Ries and Trout, if they're still around would be nodding their heads reading
this thread.

BTW, the book is very light, highly recommended reading, it might give the
techies in this thread a chance to appreciate that marketing is an artform
as deep and interesting as programming.

Anyway, the only real issue here is clearing up the naming.

When the right names are arrived at, if they are, RSS will be simple and
easy to understand, as it once was, and both paths forward will have an
equal chance at attracting users. Lots more to say about it, but it all
boils down to this.

Now I'm off to dinner! (and late).

Dave