The W3C has announced their intention to pursue activity in XML-based protocols such as SOAP, following pressure from various sources to address the "threat of fragmentation" and also the "exciting opportunities" presented by this area. Attendees at XTech 2000 will be able to give input to the planning of this activity.

In a message to the xml-dist-app mailing list, Eric Prud'hommeaux said:

We need to figure out where standardization is most important, and which technologies can be developed independently. We are looking at components like data typing, marshalling conventions, synchronous/asynchronous messaging, social protocol attachments, protocol definition and machine verification, etc.

Prud'hommeaux said that as XML Schema and XSL-FO work nears its completion, more resources would be available for work on XML protocols.

The W3C is trying to set up a birds-of-a-feather session at XTech 2000 for interested parties to provide input to the activity. Confirmation of this will be sent to the xml- dist-app mailing list -- we'll also ensure updated information is posted on xmlhack.

• Further sessions are planned at the Adelaide IETF, and at WWW9 in Amsterdam in the W3C track.