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*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro* Dear Colleagues, I think, by now we all agree that the re-use of "CS" is most unfortunate. This statement is not meant as a criticism. Even ISO 639-1/RA and the ISO 639/RAs-JAC have underestimated the total range of consequences and impact of this reuse in the beginning of the discussion. The BSI representative mentiones in his response that one library catalogue alone has 18000 records that would need to be changed in case CS were to be reused. Most members don't seem to have undertaken similar studies. We find it likely that more representatives would see the practical problems with a change if such studies were conducted, although I think that we all know what such studies would reveal. No individual expert, no group (and even no nation) is fool-proof of making bad decisions. It is, however, a matter of professionality and leadership in expertise to show the flexibility to remedy a bad decision as soon as possible. In our opinion the solution out of the dilemma could be - to rescind/withdraw CS=Serbia and Montenegro (for good reasons, which should also be obvious to the country most affected) and block this symbol forever, - to propose a suitable new country symbol. (In this connection, it must be made clear to the parties concerned that a country symbol is not a matter of ideology, but primarily a pragmatic tool to ease information interchange) In any case this issue has shown two important necessities: (1) Given the fact that there will always remain the need for archiving certain data possibly even for centuries (in an increasingly networking world) the principle of non-reuse of once assigned code-symbols is of utmost importance. If a code-symbol has to be changed, the old symbol must be blocked forever!!! (2) Given the increased importance of standardized coding systems (and increasingly interlinked/combined coding systems) in the world of m-computing and m-commerce, ISO needs a policy for guaranteeing stable coding systems. The need for a total strictness in this matter is rather new. It is what is quite astounding supported by celebrities from academia, such as Tim Berners-Lee etc. On behalf of ISO 639/RAs-JAC I would like to appeal to ISO 3166/MA not to scruple too much about formalities etc. and take the appropriate measures. I would further like to suggest that we tie up with other standardized coding communities to establish a standardized framework of principles and rules for stable coding. If we all together can achieve this goal, we would have paved one of the paths towards smooth m-computing and m-commerce in the future. I would VERY much appreciate it, if ISO 3166/MA could consider our appeal and come up not only with a luke-warm compromise, but with a good decision concerning CS. Yours truly Christian Galinski Secretary of ISO/TC 37 Present Chairman of ISO 639/RAs-JAC ****************************************************************** Dr. Christian Galinski, Director Infoterm - International Information Centre for Terminology Aichholzgasse 6/12, A-1120 Vienna, Austria Tel.: +43 1 817 4488; Fax: +43 1 817 4488-44 [log in to unmask] - http://linux.infoterm.org/>http://linux.infoterm.org Founded in 1971 by UNESCO to promote and organize co-operation in the field of terminology worldwide ******************************************************************