This overview document supplies essential information about the International SGML/XML Users' Group: how it started, how it is organized and governed, how it meets its objectives in promoting the SGML standard, and how SGML users benefit from ISUG membership.
ISUG was founded under the name "The SGML Users' Group" within the UK in 1984-1985 by Joan M. Smith, Bill Tunnicliffe, and a small group of other specialists in the field of text and graphics processing. It has grown to include over 1000 members worldwide. A more complete description of the origin and evolution of the Users' Group is provided in a separate document.
The Users' Group has a formal constitution, with provision for special interest groups (SIGs) and national/regional chapters. The membership elects a President, a Vice-President, and members of the Executive Council to run the Group. Individuals and corporations may join the International Group directly and/or they may join a chapter. There are two classes of Chapter Membership: Affiliated - a separately constituted body; and Subsidiary - existing as part of the ISUG. Chapter members pay dues to the ISUG based on the number of individual and/or corporate members they have.
The principal objectives of the group are to promote the use of the Standard Generalized Markup Language and its related standards (e.g., DSSSL, HyTime, XML), and to provide a public forum for the exchange of information about SGML.
Membership benefits include a quarterly Newsletter, discounts for designated SGML conferences and related events sponsored by IDEAlliance, discounts on SGML-related ISO/NISO standards, discounts on other key SGML publications (SGML handbooks and guides, technical reports, newsletters), access to ISO draft standards and ISO Working Group materials, etc. Membership benefits and service opportunities are described fully in a separate document.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year at the SGML Europe Conference (formerly the Markup Conference) sponsored by the Graphic Communications Association (GCA) and their co-sponsor, OASIS. A report from each Annual General Meeting is published in the Newsletter. Chapters and SIGs also meet regularly throughout the year.
See the the membership application form for information on the various ways to join the International SGML/XML Users' Group either directly or through a Chapter.
Contact Robin Cover with corrections and updates, or to submit contributions to the ISUG online document database.
