Contents Listing

• OASIS [formerly: SGML Open]
• The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation
• International SGML Users' Group (ISUG) - Including National/Regional Affiliates
• Graphic Communications Association (GCA)
• Graphic Communications Association Research Institute (GCARI)
• World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
• X-ACT - XML Active Content Technologies Council
• CommerceNet
• HyTime Users' Group
• SGML Project (at Exeter)
• SGML Repository (at Oslo)
• Electronic Publishing Special Interest Group (EPSIG)
• European Workgroup on SGML (EWS)
• SGML Hypertext and Multimedia SIG (SIGhyper)
• SGML Database Special Interest Group (SGML DSIG/DBSIG)
• CALS In Europe Special Interest Group

OASIS - Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards [formerly: SGML Open]

OASIS was incorporated in 1993 under the name SGML Open. In 1998 it adopted the new name OASIS with expanded objectives that embrace the complete spectrum of structured information processing standards, including the XML family of languages, SGML, DSSSL, HyTime, HTML, and CGM. OASIS "is a non-profit, international consortium of users and suppliers whose products and services support SGML and XML, today's most viable standards for document and data interchange, especially in the mainstream information technology market. OASIS operates XML.ORG, the first global XML industry portal featuring an XML registry and repository that offers automated public access to XML schemas for electronic commerce, business-to-business transactions, and tools and application interoperability." Through educational, technical, and marketing programs, OASIS strives to accelerate "the further adoption, application and implementation of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML), especially in the mainstream information technology market." The annual SGML/XML 'XX Conference and the corresponding SGML/XML Europe Conference are co-sponsored by OASIS (together with the Graphic Communications Association), as are other major SGML/XML events.

"OASIS provides its members with an open forum to discuss market needs and directions, and to recommend guidelines for product interoperability. The consortium receives, coordinates, and disseminates information describing SGML methodologies, technologies, and implementations. The work of OASIS complements that of standards bodies, focusing on making SGML easy to adopt, and SGML products practical to use, in real-world, open system applications." [adapted from the Mission Statement]

Because SGML/XML are broad enabling standards, sometimes requiring users to integrate multiple products from multiple vendors, OASIS seeks to coordinate collaborate efforts of vendors by establishing pragmatic technical guidelines which assure interoperability without limiting the breadth of application of SGML and XML. Companies joining OASIS agree to work together to improve interoperability in the market. Based upon an understanding of interoperability gaps, OASIS's technical working groups formulate guidelines for bridging those gaps and improving current practice. Documents produced by technical working groups are submitted to a process of review and approval. Such documents provide critical information for vendors who supply products that must interoperate in a "framework" for SGML applications. Integral with this process, OASIS provides a forum in which vendors can discuss what exactly is and can be meant by "interoperability." [adapted from the Technical Agenda description]

Through its Web site, OASIS provides a number of important resources to the international community of SGML/XML users, developers, and suppliers. Its online library incorporates white papers, technical publications, OASIS presentations, feature Newsletter articles, OASIS Public Texts, and other reference documents. The online calendar of events lists conferences, courses, workshops, seminars, user group meetings, and other public events in the SGML/XML world. The OASIS membership listings provide contact information and descriptions of products/services for the individual members.

As of 2001-03-05, OASIS had 79 Sponsors, 70 Contributors, and 16 Affiliates (Liaison).

As of June, 1999, OASIS had eighty-six (86) members within three membership categories it offered to candidate industry partners: Sponsor Membership, Contributor Membership, and Participant Membership. There were thirty-five (35) sponsor members, forty-one (41) contributor members, and ten (10) participant members.

The current Executive Director of OASIS is Laura Walker. She may be contacted by email at laurawalker@earthlink.net. Walker is supported in her leadership role by eight officers who are elected by the membership and serve as the OASIS Board of Directors.

The OASIS Executive Director and Board of Directors:

Links:

• OASIS Home Page
• About OASIS
• OASIS Technical Committees
• OASIS Technical Committee Process
• OASIS Bylaws
• OASIS Events
• OASIS Resources: Standards, Technical Memorandums, and Resolutions
• OASIS Organizational Members
• [March 16, 1998] Public press release from the SGML Open Consortium, announcing a name change: "SGML Open Responds to XML Initiative: Changes Name to OASIS. Established International Consortium Expands Mission to Embrace XML and Related Structured Information Standards."
• OASIS sponsors The XML Cover Pages

Contact addresses:
OASIS
Post Office Box 455
Billerica, MA USA 01821
Tel: +1 978 667 5115
FAX: +1 978 667 5114

Media Contact: Carol Geyer
Director of Communications
OASIS
Email: carol.geyer@oasis-open.org
Voice: +1.941.284.0403

The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation

"The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation is dedicated to commemorating the genius of the late Yuri Rubinsky by bringing together workers from a broad spectrum of disciplines to stimulate research and development of technologies which will enhance access to information of all kinds. The Foundation provides a focal point for those honoring the life and work of Yuri Rubinsky, an industry leader, inventor, entrepreneur, author, humanitarian and friend."

See the primary Web site for the Foundation, or the dedicated section in the SGML Web Page. Tributes to Yuri Rubinsky may be found in the special Tribute page, from some sixty (60) friends and colleagues.

International SGML Users' Group (ISUG)

Note: Information pertaining to the International SGML Users' Group and to SGML user groups worldwide is being reworked into a dedicated online database of ISUG Web Site materials, now located on the TechnoTeacher server at ISOGEN International Corp. Use this URL (href="http://www.isgmlug.org/ for official ISUG information. The information and links given below will probably not be kept up-to-date.

• Links for National/Regional SGMLUG Entities
• Contact addresses for all SGMLUG entities
• International SGML: Description

Graphic Communications Association (GCA)

GCA is a "volunteer non-profit membership association, Graphic Communications Association (GCA) was formed in 1966 to apply computer technology to printing, publishing, and related industries. From 14 founding firms, GCA has grown to a worldwide organization with over 350 member organizations and tens of thousands of individuals who participate in our training programs, conferences, standards development committees, and technical studies. No other organization brings such a diverse pool of competitors, customers, and suppliers together to better the information technologies and print communications industry."

[April 19, 2001] "Printing Industries of America (PIA) Board Agrees to Graphic Communications Association (GCA) Spin Off. David J. Steinhardt New Chief Operating Officer of GCA." - "The Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated Board of Directors has agreed to spin off its Special Industry Group, the Graphic Communications Association (GCA), as an independent association, effective on June 30, 2001.

Links:

• GCA Home Page
• What is GCA?
• GCA Technical Committees
• GCA Members
• See the Primary GCA entry [Current mostly for 1993]
• See also for other summary information the OASIS [SGML Open] entry for GCA, copied 11/18/94 to SIL WWW server

Address: Graphic Communications Association
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Tel: (703) 519-8160
Fax: (703) 548-2867
Email: dthieme@gca.org (Don Thieme)
Email: mern@well.sf.ca.us

GCARI

The Graphic Communications Association Research Institute is an affiliate of Graphic Communications Association (GCA) in Alexandria, Va. XML/EDI Group is a special membership organization of the GCA Research Institute.

CommerceNet

"CommerceNet is a non-profit industry association for companies promoting and building electronic commerce solutions on the Internet. Launched in April 1994 in Silicon Valley, CA, its membership has grown to more than 500 companies and organizations worldwide. They include the leading banks, telecommunications companies, VANs, ISPs, online services, software and service companies, as well as end-users, which are transforming the Internet into a global electronic marketplace."

• Home Page
• CommerceNet Industry Initiative

HyTime Users' Group

The HyTime Users' Group is a memberless affiliate of the International SGML Users' Group dedicated to the use and maintenance of the HyTime Standard, ISO/IEC 10744:1997 (Second Edition). The HyTime Users' Group sponsors a web site at which readers 'will find a variety of materials to support their exploration and use of HyTime and its related standards'.

Links:

• HyTime Users' Group Home Page

Contact:
Mr Steven R. Newcomb
TechnoTeacher, Inc.
3615 Tanner Lane
Richardson, Texas 75082-2618 USA
Tel: +1 972 231 4098
FAX: +1 972 994 0087
Email: info@techno.com
Email: srn@techno.com (Steven Newcomb)
WWW: http://www.techno.com/
FTP: ftp://ftp.techno.com/

SGML Project

• The Primary entry for the SGML Project
• The description of the FTP server
• The description of the mail server
• SGML Project files via FTP at Exeter
• See also special UK SGML efforts via FTP at Exeter
• See also SGML courses via FTP at Exeter
• AGOCG: Exeter Server
• Welcome to The SGML Project
• SGML Overview

SGML Repository

• Entry not written yet. See provisionally the README file [mirror copy, December 1996]
• Or see a fuller top-level directory listing, December 1996
• See description of the SGML Repository FTP server
• See another description of the SGML Repository FTP server

Electronic Publishing Special Interest Group (EPSIG)

• See the Primary EPSIG entry
• And [August 1997]: EPSIG Meeting: Minutes. Barcelona, May 12, 1997. [local archive copy]

European Workgroup on SGML (EWS)

• See the Primary EWS entry

SGML Hypertext and Multimedia SIG (SIGhyper)

• General information [mirror copy, November 1995]
• README [mirror copy, November 1995]

SGML Database Special Interest Group (SGML DBSIG)

• See the Primary DBSIG entry

SGML - CALS In Europe SIGs

• See the Primary CALS in Europe entry