>>> "Michael P. Edison" <[log in to unmask]> 21/01/00 1:13:42 >>> wrote:
"But look at those big fat books of ASTM Standards that we all
reference and use  in our work all the time. Perfect? Nope. Confusing?
Frequently. Are they what they should be? Not hardly.

So why do we use them? Because they are better than nothing, ...
I have also seen job situations where general distrust of the involved parties was kept in check by implementing testing programs based on ASTM standard specifications and methods. It took the emotions off the table and put the issues back in a technical realm where they belonged. Sure, we can then argue about the meaning of the results, but at least we start with a common vocabulary. 

I have also watched some of the standards which we use frequently undergo multiple revisions over time. Maybe they get a little closer to reality
with each revision."

The nature of ASTM is that we can all participate.  Pay your US$65 per year, get a free volume of the standards, join a committee, attend a meeting, propose revision, get involved, write the text and argue for it.  It works.  Believe me, it works.  The difficult bit is finding the right words, and getting to the meetings.  Especially when you live down under!

Cheers

david