People who know me, know that I'm almost against everything. I am very, very sceptical :)
But I always try hard to explain my views. So, in this post I'll try to explain my view about the so-called OpenMicroblogging Standard, and why I believe that it's "vain". This will be somehow a detailed response to what Jesse Stay wrote on Louis Gray's blog.
Let's define things first:
Micro-blogging is a form of blogging that allows users to write brief text updates (usually 140 characters) and publish them, either to be viewed by anyone or by a restricted group which can be chosen by the user. These messages can be submitted by a variety of means, including text messaging, instant messaging, email, MP3 or the web. (From Wikipedia)
So just to be sure, microblogging is actually blogging in a smaller format. In other words: sharing small content.
The question now: is there any concept that we used to use for blogging and that can't be used for microblogging? Do we really need a Yet Another Standard? I'm asking this while thinking about the very nice article by Tim Bray: "Don’t Invent XML Languages". Because it's really easy to define a new XML dialect everytime we feel the need, but is the need that real —always?
The blogging era brought some really interesting concepts. We do have OPML for reading lists. RSS/ATOM for content aggregation and reading and Trackbacks (which some people think are dead) for replies.
Can't we just use these three ideas for microblogging? What makes microblogging so special that these concepts won't work or won't be enough? This is my question, and the day someone answers it and gives real and logic arguments, I'll stand corrected and be convinced about the necessity of another standard.
