Bzzt! Invalid XML!
In fact, XML does NOT allow compact end tags -- that would be <BIRD/> and
<WEBBROWSER/> to you, Mister.
Yes, this is silly. No, it's not silly when you wear SGMLglasses. Does it
deserve to remain a wart on the side of America's Favorite Markup (TM)? Not
really. Is it worth protesting? Probably not -- my argument would be to offer
a separate alternative form ('the YML hypothesis') instead.
One of the many questions I'll be looking for answers on at XML98 this week in
Seattle...
Rohit