[Fwd: conformance]

[George Kraft IV <gk4@austin.ibm.com>]

LSB Test Team,

We need to come to concensus on the enclosed "conformance" proposal.  We would
like to begin conformance on January 1st with the test cases that we have.

Let's bounce this around in email and try to refine it, because Scott needs this
in hand for Jan. 1, 2002.

I'll start with raising the issue of #5.   During January 2002 we probabley will
not have closed on all of the waiver issues; therefore, the distros may not be
able to 100% resolve and become conformant.  So, should we should allow them to
list know errors in their RELEASE_NOTES?

George (gk4)

The LSB would like to initiate a "Conformance" program beginning 
January 1st, 2002.  The "LSB Conformance" of a Linux distribution
or application would mean that the suppiler makes a social testimonial
to the Linux community.  The supplier states, without endorsement
from the LSB or FSG, that to their knowledge their deliverable, at the
time of its release, follows the LSB standard.  

Specifically for Linux distributions:

1) follows the LSB written specification
2) passes the binary LSB TET test suite provide by the LSB
3) passes the binary lsblibchk, lsbdevchk
4) passes the FHS checklist
5) Documents in their release notes all LSB exceptions with a plan of
   resolution and due date

Specifically for Linux applications:

A) follows the LSB written specification
B) link against the LSB stub libraries and runtime linker
C) passes the binary lsbappchk
D) statically links to APIs not specified by the LSB or included with 
   the applicaiton

LSB Conformance is not be be confused with LSB Compliance or LSB Certificaiton.
LSB Compliance is a self test, but requires registration of the results with
the LSB.  LSB Certification is third party testing with registration.

===============================================================================

Below are dictionary definitions for comformance, compliance, and certification.

Conformance:

1. Similarity in form or character; agreement: I acted in conformity with 
   my principles. 
2. Action or behavior in correspondence with socially accepted standards, 
   conventions, rules, or laws: conformity to university regulations. 

Compliance:

1.a. The act of complying with a wish, request, or demand; acquiescence. 
1.b. Medicine. Willingness to follow a prescribed course of treatment. 
2.   A disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others. 
3.a. Extension or displacement of a loaded structure per unit load. 
3.b. Flexibility. 

Certified:

1.a. To confirm formally as true, accurate, or genuine. 
1.b. To guarantee as meeting a standard: butter that was certified Grade A. 
     See Synonyms at approve. 
2.   To acknowledge in writing on the face of (a check) that the signature 
     of the maker is genuine and that there are sufficient funds on deposit 
     for its payment. 
3.   To issue a license or certificate to. 
4.   To declare to be in need of psychiatric treatment or confinement. 
5.   Archaic. To inform positively; assure. 

#EOF