Author: A. Main. Date: 2005-02-23. Abstract:
Historically, the conventional textual representations of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses have been poorly specified. This document gives precise definitions of these conventions, together with advice for implementors.
Available as plain text, RFC Editor nroff.
This document met with general agreement from the members of the IPv6 WG, but no one ever stepped forward to help with Standards-Track publication. Help with this from someone in an appropriate position in the IETF would be appreciated. Until then, this document has the status of a de facto standard. The grammar it specifies is being used in other IETF work, and in particular can be found in RFC 3986, which is probably now the best reference for it.
Author: Andrew Main (Zefram) <zefram@fysh.org>. Date: 2005-09-17. Abstract:
Many computer programs require the user to be able to input numeric values in a textual format. A wide variety of numeric syntaxes exist for this purpose; the variability is detrimental to user comprehension. Many programs have a numeric syntax that is inconveniently restrictive. As a remedy for these problems, this paper proposes a single, flexible, general-purpose syntax for the textual representation of numbers. The use of this syntax, for both input and output, is encouraged in all situations for which it is relevant.
Available as plain text.
Author: Andrew Main (Zefram) <zefram@fysh.org>. Date: 2006-05-19. Abstract:
Coordinate and proper time scales are defined to conceptually count the linear passage of time, but they have inherited cyclical and calendrical date notations from planetary rotation time scales. It is proposed that they would be better served by a date notation that reflects their linear nature. Such a notation is presented, based on the counting of SI seconds from an epoch date within each time scale. The notation allows for abbreviated date representation, date intervals, explicit imprecision, and statement of which time scale is in use.
Available as plain text.
See also the purchron program which can generate a clock display in the format specified by this paper.
Author: Andrew Main (Zefram) <zefram@fysh.org>. Date: 2006-03-13. Abstract:
A revised system of prefixes for the SI (metric) system of units is proposed, to bring the benefit of unit prefixes to applications that are not adequately served by the existing prefixes. The revised system provides a name and symbol for every power of ten in the range 10^-178 to 10^+178 inclusive.
Available as plain text.
Author: Andrew Main (Zefram) <zefram@fysh.org>. Date: 2006-04-09. Abstract:
Some of the convenience supplied by unit prefixes in the metric system is lost when a unit is being raised to a power other than positive or negative unity. Among the SI units, this commonly arises with the square metre (m^2) and cubic metre (m^3). The convenience can be regained by giving the compound unit its own name and symbol. The novel name "lamin" and symbol "la" are proposed for the square metre, and the preexisting name "stere" and symbol "st" are endorsed for the cubic metre.
Available as plain text.