waters@dover.uucp (Mike Waters) (02/27/89)
What is EDIF anyway?
EDIF stands for the "Electronic Design Interchange Format", EIA/ANSI Std
548. EDIF is a standard means to aid translation of design information
from one CAD/CAE system to another. It provides a "common, neutral format"
whereby such data as schematics, test data, timing information, IC or PCB
layout information can be freely translated between systems.
Why a newsgroup?
EDIF by its nature is a worldwide standard with a user group of 3500
organizations of 28 countries. Much of EDIF development has been performed
by electronic means, including posting/E-mailing of EDIF files.
At this time EDIF is undergoing a transition from development to full scale
use and production with 6 vendors demonstrating to/from capability at
the Design Automation Conference last year and several others indicated
that they also had translators to demonstrate. (Watch for THIS year's
DAC!)
This growing body of users will by its very nature generate numerous questions
and comments concerning EDIF. At this time these have appeared (and cluttered)
various other newsgroups, but focusing especially on comp.lsi. Mailing lists
have been tried, but with little success due mostly to lack of net/mailer
experience on the part of EDIF users. In short they tend to specialize in
areas other than net use such as graphics or simulation.
The EDIF user group and the EDIF steering committee both feel that this is
an appropriate time to set up a newsgroup for this purpose.
Specific proposal for comment:
Unmoderated newsgroup called comp.std.EDIF
Other possible homes: sci.electronics.EDIF - undesirable because many of the
issues are structural issues, not electronic issues.
comp.lsi.EDIF - EDIF covers a much broader range of interests than LSI/VLSI,
such as test, PCB layout, and simulation.
I will post a call for votes once the discussion has reached a concesnsus.
(Please advise: is there a minimum discussion period?)
--
Mike Waters AA4MW/7 * A Registered Republican, now a
Motorola CAD Group * *BORN AGAIN*
Mesa, AZ ...!sun!sunburn!dover!waters * ACLU Member!
OR moto@cad.Berkley.EDU * Thank you Mr Bush!