[LINK] Social computing for government and business

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Janet Hawtin wrote:
> On 7/30/07, Tom Worthington <Tom.Worthington at tomw.net.au> wrote:
> 
>> have complex overlapping, fluid groups. Even formal political parties
>> have factions and, as when there is a conscience vote, someone can be
>> in several different groups with conflicting aims simultaneously.
>> Much the same behavior occurs at technical standards meetings.
> 
> I sincerely hope that the standards meetings are about whether the proposed
> material complies with the requirements for an Australian Standard.
> This is what the function of the process is for.
> If being a member of an affiliated group or a partner of the proposer
> conflicts with that outcome then the process is not structured 'in the
> public interest'.
> 
> I can understand that these professional relationships have a strong
> pull in normal circumstances, but being a representative of the public
> interest on a standards group is surely one of those times when we
> look at whether the material complies.


Janet,

There are specific definition of Australian Standards

> ...Australian Standards® of public benefit and national interest ...
<http://www.standards.org.au/>

Also

> What is a Standard?
> 
> A Standard is a published document which sets out specifications and procedures designed to ensure that a material, product, method or service is fit for its purpose and consistently performs in the way it was intended.
> 
> Standards establish a common language which defines quality and establishes safety criteria. Standards and conformance are the keys to ensuring the quality and consistency of physical, chemical and biological measurement throughout Australian society and the economy. 
<http://www.standards.org.au/cat.asp?catid=2>

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: 0414 869202