Re: @ NORMI Becomes the Fastest Growing Organization wi thin Mold ...

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

"I find your ongoing suggestion that standards be free to the public most uniformed about how standards are written and paid for."

I think you are most likely right on that one!

"You cannot get a free copy of a UL or CSA or ASTM standard. They are available for a reasonable fee. For some SWOs (Standard Writing Organizations) with small audiences, the fee tends to be higher because the total number of standards likely to be sold is quite small and X/n, when n is a small number is much higher than X/m when m is a much bigger number (as it would be for UL, CSA or ASTM)."

And there in lays the problem. If this standard is only for a small number, then what good is it? By definition, how can it be a 'standard'?

" It costs a fair bit of money to make any standard "happen" and that must be paid somehow."

So, how has the S520 been funded? Wouldn't they be able to recoup funding if it actually became a real standard from a variety of aspects, such as consulting to teach what that standard is? Testimony if one did nor did not follow the standard? I would think there are many aspects where funding could be better recouped if the standard was... well, a standard.

"Where do you think the money to write standards will come from? Governments do not normally support such activities very well, even for the bigger and more well-known SWOs. As other persons have stated on this ongoing saga, if people want a copy they can move money around or even get a local library to buy a copy, or find a local group that would help fund such an acquisition for you or the library."

Why would I want to do that? It's just a document that nobody says anybody MUST follow. The way to make it a real standard is to market it as such. I think I must be missing something.

I certainly WISH that standards were both free and widely available, especially on the web.

I do too. Forgive my ignorance if this has already been addressed. I have not read all the posts on this thread, but how much money are we talking about?

It may not be right but it is the way it is. If you can find a way to get your congress-person to change the government funding situation, good for you - as long as that funding does not come with strong but hidden strings. Government money almost always comes with strings.

A topic for another day!

Jim H. White System Science Consulting (former government employee, now retired)

Lucky you!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Please do not shoot the industry organization for trying to do the right thing. You are shooting the wrong agency. If you think a mandated standard is needed (I agree with you) then approach the proper government agency or your appropriate government representative.

Jim H. White

Hey Jim,

Are you writing to me? I am not trying to shoot anybody. I think it sounds like a great doc. I would like to see it carry more weight.

Sharon