[Tinyos Core WG] RFC model

[Philip Levis]

RFCs are finalized documents; they don't change. If an RFC needs  
significant changes, then you issue a new RFC that obsoletes the  
earlier one. If you look back in FTP, for example, you can see that  
the original FTP RFC did not use TCP. If it needs minor changes, then  
you can always issue a supplemental RFC (documentary or informational).

As for spelling errors, there is an RFC editor. So, as with a book,  
if there's a spelling error you live with it.

As for small wording changes or clarification, this can be  
problematic. E.g.:

-----------
If a platform has more than one link layer, it SHOULD define each of the
message_t fields to be a union of the underlying link layer structures.

vs

If a platform has more than one link layer, it SHOULD define each of the
message_t fields to be a union of the underlying link layer structures.
This ensures that enough space is allocated for all underlying link  
layers.
------------

The latter suggests the basis for the SHOULD and therefore changes  
the tone of what someone ought to consider before not following it.

Phil