Re: Encoding of invented items (from RE: Assigning a plane for mapping digits for many different bases)

From: Andreas Stötzner (as@signographie.de)
Date: Thu Mar 10 2011 - 06:04:17 CST

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    Am 10.03.2011 um 10:22 schrieb William_J_G Overington:

    > So what is wrong with someone applying for an invented character to be encoded so that it becomes available for other people to use within the framework of regular Unicode?

    Becaus then every lunatic will feel encouraged to step in and burden the people in charge with loads of “inventions”. This would lead to the standard becoming completely un-manageable.

    >
    > For the avoidance of doubt, I am not suggesting that registration be automatic, there would be a rigorous assessment procedure.

    There *is* a rigorous procedure already. Rigorous and cumbersome but fair.

    > What I am suggesting is that for new electronic system items that it is unreasonable and a needless barrier to progress for someone to need to first establish widespread usage using the Private Use Area before encoding in regular Unicode can take place.

    It is a barrier there are reasons for. And the PUA may serve your purposes for getting in what you want, given you can testify *some* (not neccessarily: widespread) usage. That is quite a practical option actually, including some sort of security for all parties involved.

    I know this issue is a particular serious one in Mathematics. It is similar serious in Linguistics. As for that subject, the progression of the MUFI may give a good example how it can work: some specialists gathering and setting up character lists, furnishing the PUA with characters, file a proposal and present proof of usage to UC and ISO – encoding proceeded. That’s the way the A72x block was “invented”.
    I do very special composing work upon early musical notation. Same situation: the standard “as is” provides less than a tenth of the special characters needed. Naturally. Needless to say that I can’t wait until Unicode has granted me what I need for that sort of text. Anyway, the Private Area is the realm of peace to gently grow the seeds for the future :-)

    Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

                            Andreas Stötzner.

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    Andreas Stötzner
    Gestaltung Signographie Fontentwicklung

    Wilhelm-Plesse-Straße 32, 04157 Leipzig
    0152-08336058

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