[Cif2-encoding] How we wrap this up

[James Hester]

Dear CIF2 encoding participants,

As Herbert has indicated, we are starting to run out of time for
resolution of the encoding issue.  I believe that we have now explored
the various proposals sufficiently to all have a good understanding of
the consequences and advantages of each approach.  So, after a round
of final comments, I propose that we vote on the general scheme that
we recommend.  We can then flesh out the details of the particular
scheme that we have settled on, and take this completed proposal to
the DDLm group for their approval, following which we will present the
entire CIF2 syntax document to COMCIFS for a formal vote.

The proposals that I believe are still on the table are:

1. Herbert's 'as for CIF1 proposal' recently posted here and to COMCIFS.
2. Herbert's 'as for CIF1 proposal', together with Brian's proposal
(if you agree that they are compatible)
2. UTF8-only as in the original draft
3. UTF8 + UTF16
4. UTF8, UTF16 + "local"

I have not included the hashcode proposal as I believe it no longer
has any supporters.

We would need to conduct a preferential vote.  I stress that this is
purely to determine the recommendation of this working group, and is
not in any way binding on COMCIFS.

James.
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