SGML: The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation

SGML: The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation


Subject: Announce:  The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 14:43:09 GMT
From: murray@sq.com (Murray Maloney)
Newsgroups: comp.text.sgml
Dear Colleagues, I am posting this on behalf of Holley Rubinsky and the Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation. Murray Maloney ====================================================================== The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation Statement of Purpose The Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation is dedicated to commemorating the genius of the late Yuri Rubinsky by bringing together workers from a broad spectrum of disciplines to stimulate research and development of technologies which will enhance human access to information of all kinds. Recognizing that all human capabilities are limited in various ways, it seeks to achieve, to the fullest extent possible, equality of access for all. Elaboration The Foundation provides a focal point for those honoring the life and work of Yuri Rubinsky, an industry leader, inventor, entrepreneur, author, humanitarian and friend. Yuri's tireless work to advance understanding and applications of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) began as an extension of his work in publishing and evolved into a commitment to broaden the publishing metaphor. He saw the potential inherent in SGML toward achieving greater access for the blind and visually impaired; using SGML, his novel Christopher Columbus Answers All Charges was coded into Braille and produced on voice synthesizer before it was printed. A World Wide Web innovator, Yuri committed his company, SoftQuad, to the development of software tools to make SGML a practical basis for international document information systems. Colleagues, associates, business competitors and friends universally acknowledge Yuri's generosity in encouraging cooperation and the exchange of ideas. He was a listener, a respector of all persons, an invaluable resource and consequently, an inspiration. Through his vision, energy and enthusiasm, he provided help to emergent projects - connected people with mutually complementary ideas, made practical suggestions, offered insight. To carry on Yuri's work and spirit, the Foundation will develop appropriate programs and projects, the first of which is the Yuri Rubinsky Information Access Award. This award will be given to an individual or organization in recognition of significant contributions which have improved information access to all, in local or global contexts. ------------------------------------------------------------ Trustees: Holley Rubinsky Stan Bevington, Founder, Coach House Press Bill Clarke, Executive Vice President, SoftQuad Inc. Dave Gurney, Chairman & CEO, SoftQuad International Douglas MacLeod, Architect, Virtual Reality Specialist Peter Sharpe, Director of SGML Development, SoftQuad Inc. Tony Wilshere, Publisher Haviland Wright, CEO Displaytech Honorary Trustee: Charles F. Goldfarb, Information Management Consulting ------------------------------------------------------------ Planning Meeting At the end of July there will be a core group meeting to determine specific goals and practicalities of the Foundation. Everyone who was important to Yuri could not be included, but we hope that next year the Foundation will be able to host an event that will bring our many communities together. Meanwhile, we hope that you will feel welcome to come forth with ideas that are of interest to you, that you think the Foundation should consider. Keep in mind that the YRIF is not a grant-giving foundation; we're not funding individual projects. If you are interested in being placed on the YRIF e-mail and snail-mail lists, please send your contact addresses to <otis@sq.com>. Besides the hard copy of the September report, there is a book we have in mind that will comprise, among other things, Yuri's miscellaneous writings (including more meditations, for those of you who have read A Prayer About Prayer) as well as his cartoons. The Foundation is in the process of seeking charitable status; for now, your donations will be acknowledged and charitable receipts sent later. CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) Att: Anne Foster, Private Banking Centre 2 Bloor Street West Toronto ON Canada M4W 2G7 By wire: CIBC Yonge & Bloor Transit # 00502; bank code 010; acct number 77-16613. Best, Holley Rubinsky (otis@sq.com) Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation