[MPEG-OTSPEC] Proposed Adoption of the Online Standards Development Platform

[MURATA]

Dear colleagues,

I would like to propose that we transition from using Word to the Online
Standards Development (OSD) platform provided by ISO and IEC.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.iso.org/OSD

Several projects, such as the upcoming version of Schematron (ISO/IEC
19757-3), have successfully adopted the OSD platform and are finding it
highly effective.

While some may suggest that we continue using Word, generating PDF
documents, and submitting them to the ISO Central Secretariat (ISO/CS), it
is my understanding that ISO/CS is increasingly reluctant to accept PDF
submissions.

In exceptional cases, such as with ISO/IEC 29500-1 (a document nearly 4000
pages long), there may be valid reasons to persuade ISO/CS to accept PDFs.
The sheer size of such documents can overwhelm their current toolchain
(eXtyles and Typefi), which struggles with large files. However, unless we
have a similarly compelling reason, ISO/CS is likely to refuse any PDF
submissions and decline to publish standards.

Another option is to submit Word files and request ISO/CS to generate PDFs.
However, this approach has led to numerous issues, with project editors
frequently encountering significant discrepancies between their expected
layouts and the final PDFs generated by ISO/CS. Many editors within JTC1
have shared frustrating experiences due to these problems.

ISO/CS does not directly convert Word documents into PDFs. Instead, they
transform Word files into STS (XML) format, which discards much of the
original formatting. They then generate PDFs from these STS documents. I’ve
attached a diagram illustrating this process, which is based on discussions
with an ISO/CS Editorial Program Manager.

I understand any hesitation about this transition, but I have not heard of
any serious complaints regarding the OSD platform.
Regards,
Makoto
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