In a white paper from Dr. Paz Kahana, (617-965-1014) of ElectroCom Imaging, a Vendor Independent Component Imaging (VICI, pronounced Vicky) standard is proposed based upon Microsoft standards such as OLE, MFC, COM, OLEDB, Active X and ODBC.

I recently had the opportunity at the 1997 Industry Leadership Council Roundtable to talk with Dr. Kahana about VICI. I pointed out since COM and Active X are Microsoft implementations of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) standard it would be wonderful to upgrade to the CORBA standard for VICI.

VICI Complements FIS

How would this fit with the Forms Interchange Standard (FIS)? Well, while it would be several years later, it would overcome the problems which face FIS. FIS is stalled because no logically correct and rigorous formulation of FIS exists (such as a Bacus Nour Form). No one wants to program to a standard which the caretaker can change as he sees fit.

CORBA Avoids Caretaker

This same objection would hit VICI if it were based upon Active X and COM. Moving to CORBA would give theoretical weight to such an undertaking. In addition the CORBA standard allows rapid official sanctioning of either FIS or VICI if implemented to CORBA standards.

Mom Applie Pie and CORBA -- Good Things For Us All

This seems like a "can not be wrong; for motherhood and apple pie" approach to the years 2000 plus. Probably will never happen, but we here at DMAC will support both FIS and VICI as long as they exist as open standards.