comment on VOTable Format Definition v1.09

[Ray Plante]

Hi VOTablers, 

I'll confess that I have not actually read the WD "VOTable Format
Definition v1.09" start to finish; however, my previous post about COOSYS
brings up a relevent point for this document.  As my comment reveals, the
prose document does not define the format to the same level of detail as
the XSD file.  I therefore recommend that we establish a close coupling
between the standard document and the schema.

That is, we should (as you did in the 1.0 version) include the Schema
and/or the DTD as an appendix to the document.  Then in the document
(perhaps in section 1.3), we should say that when using the XML Schema
approach (marked by the use of xmlns attributes), this is the schema that
defines a compatible VOTable;  when the DTD approach is used, this is the
DTD that defines a compatible VOTable.  Because of the greater ability to
constrain syntax with Schema, the XSD file should be considered the more
definitive standard for syntax.  Even when an application is using the DTD 
to validate, the application should assume the stricter constraints 
defined in the XSD.  

Finally, I may have mentioned this one about the namespace.  I think it 
would be appropriate to base the namespace URI on www.ivoa.net.  In 
particular, I recommend we follow the convention used with the resource 
metadata schemas, and use "http://www.ivoa.net/xml/VOTable/v1.1".  

cheers,
Ray