[Bug 12029] New: Define a process for "particularly exceptional circumstances"

http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=12029

           Summary: Define a process for "particularly exceptional
                    circumstances"
           Product: HTML WG
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: PC
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: NEW
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: working group Decision Policy
        AssignedTo: dave.null@w3.org
        ReportedBy: rubys@intertwingly.net
         QAContact: public-html-bugzilla@w3.org
                CC: mjs@apple.com, Paul.Cotton@microsoft.com,
                    rubys@intertwingly.net, mike@w3.org


In September, we established a "Enhanced change control after the Last Call
cutoff"[1], and in it we used the words "new features should not be added after
the cutoff, except in particularly exceptional circumstances."  These words
were meant to convey the notion of there being a fairly high bar for new
features at this time.

The cut-off for bugs to be considered as pre-LC feedback was in October[2], and
yet well after that time we have had substantial changes that were made that
ranged from controversial[3] to mundane[4].  This is continuing[5], often
without any discussion at all occurring in the W3C HTML WG.

This is inconsistent with the notion of driving to a schedule.  This not only
affects our ability to get to Last Call, but also CR, PR, and ultimately Rec. 
At a minimum, we have members depending on us achieving these milestones in
order to establish that this specification is IP clean.

Independent of the resolution of any of these particular changes, we need to
make explicit the notion of what "particularly exceptional circumstances" means
going forward, and in the process make it clear what the bar is for adding new
features.

[1] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2010Sep/0125.html
[2] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2010Sep/0074.html
[3] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2011Feb/0114.html
[4] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-diffs/2011Feb/0005.html
[5]
http://lists.whatwg.org/htdig.cgi/whatwg-whatwg.org/2011-February/030161.html

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Received on Thursday, 10 February 2011 13:02:48 UTC