To say that syntax is mostly irrelevant is perhaps too broad a statement. Without syntax, we have no semantics. Also, a good notation certainly makes it possible to distribute knowledge -- see Newton vs. Leibniz, c. 1700. Phil Brashear EDS Conformance Testing Center 4646 Needmore Road, Bin 46 P.O. Box 24593 Dayton, OH 45424-0593 (937) 237-4510 [log in to unmask] www.eds-conform.com