In answer to the HLink linking proposal from the W3C HTML Working Group, the members of the W3C Technical Architecture Group (TAG) have unanimously stated that "XLink should be used for hypertext references in user-interface oriented applications" instead of HLink.

As presented by the HTML Working Group, HLink is a general-purpose and astute proposal for (within the next generation of XHTML modules) mapping custom attributes into their XLink equivalents, rather than using XLink directly. It could have been considered a good compromise to rely on XLink without making it apparent.

The TAG decision has created strong reactions from HLink supporters; Simon St.Laurent, pondering its impact on the future of XHTML 2.0, writes:

I think it's fair to suggest at this point that XHTML 2.0 now needs a coffin, and perhaps the W3C's relevance (especially given that the TAG decision was unanimous) needs one as well.

Beyond the technical point, it is interesting to note that this is the first time that the TAG, whose charter includes "building consensus around principles of Web architecture", has so firmly rebuked a W3C Working Group.

Other stories:

• HLink working draft arrives
• XHTML 2.0 surfaces
• TAG becomes active
• W3C announces TAG membership
• W3C publish TAG Charter