[LINK] RFI: standards.org.au ?

[Robert Hazeltine]

Hi Roger

On Sun, 14 Mar 2004, Roger Clarke wrote:

> 
> Does anyone now why Standards Australia still has a .org.au address?
> 
> As I understand it, the organisation ceased to have the form of a 
> mutual, or at least ceased to be a non-profit corporation, at the 
> very latest when it listed on the ASX on 17 Dec 03.
> 
> It's become a straightforward for-profit corporation, hans't it? 
> I've looked on the organisation's several sites, but can't find 
> anything that explains the corporate structure.
> 
> If so, presumably it should relinquish its .org registration.  What 
> appears to be the relevant segment of AuDA rules is reproduced below.
> 
> A related concern is why people would continue to provide their time 
> gratis to standards-setting processes that enrich shareholders of the 
> company ...

I was under the impression that it always worked to exclusive benefit its
shareholders (read members) and outsiders had to gear up to meet AAS
so-called guidelines and come into line with members.  I'm surprised it's
taken this long to convert this philosophy to a monetary value.

It's going to be tough it they ever decide to licence the use of standards
covering country codes and similar mutually agreed abbreviations.



Rob...
Robert Hazeltine                      Phone:  +61(2) 9678-7621
Senior Analyst/Programmer             Email:  r.hazeltine at uws.edu.au 
University of Western Sydney          http://www.uws.edu.au/