[BBF Standards] BioBricks standards setting process

[Drew Endy]

Not everybody on the list had a chance to attend the first BBF  
standards workshop last November.  Others may not be able to attend  
this Saturday's workshop at UCSF (we should have a conference line  
open for the meeting for those who want to call in, stay tuned).

Thus / regardless, I wanted to detail the relatively straight forward  
process by which new technical standards are being defined via the BBF  
(i.e., the purpose of this list).

*** BBF Open Standards Setting Scheme ***

First, you develop some scheme for standardizing some aspect of  
synthetic biology work.

Second, you convince at least one other person, at a different  
location from you, that the scheme would help them with something that  
they care about.

Third, both of you demonstrate that the proposed standard works for  
each of you (i.e., the standard must work and be good for something).

Fourth, you document your scheme in writing.

Fifth, you request a BBF RFC number by asking for one (email the list)

Sixth, the BBF technical standards group (i.e., the folks on this  
list) comment on the standard, try it out, propose revisions.

Seventh, you revise the standard if necessary.

Eighth, the standard is formally accepted as part of the definition  
for BioBrick parts.  Congratulations, you win (publishers are standing  
by), the BioBricks technical standards suite is updated.

Ninth, new, possible standards tremble before you.

I've added a description of this process to:
http://openwetware.org/wiki/The_BioBricks_Foundation:Standards/Technical

Please shoot me an email if you have any suggested changes!

D.