This document is a direct outgrowth of the discussions and collective experience of the Debian SGML developers as they worked to implement the SGML & XML component of the Linux Standard Base specification on Debian systems. It describes the Debian-specific implementation, primarily focusing on those aspects of the Debian implementation that differ from the LSB specification.
Over a four-month period, many of the policies described herein were repeatedly debated and revised as we worked out the details, always giving compliance a high priority. As we moved closer to consensus, it became clear that there were distinct sections of the specification from which the Debian implementation would necessarily depart. This document describes and provides rationale for these points of departure.
The members of the Debian SGML group would like to acknowledge the considerable efforts of all who contributed to the LSB SGML & XML Addendum. In particular, Eric Bischoff deserves special recognition for recognizing the fundamental importance of an SGML component of LSB and for his initiative in coordinating its development.