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FAT32 patents are now fully expired, making it the most compatible filesystem for which any new devices should support at a minimum, from this point forward. M

FAT32 patents are now fully expired, making it the most compatible filesystem for which any new devices should support at a minimum, from this point forward. Most likely the best approach for NTFS is to standardize at ASTM where Microsoft could contribute as much documentation & volunteer effort as they would like (or not), regardless with other members a full-consensus ASTM standard could then be agreed upon & maintained from that point forward. Should have been done a long tome ago for both FAT32 & NTFS as well as all other file systems which are intended for widespread use. It's just not something where you want to have a moving target, it basicaly needs to stay the same forever once it gets into widespread use. Important data is too important for any less than truly standard file sysstems.

xvilka 6y ago
NTFS would be a poor choice. This FS is very complex, undocumented, and without a good complete open source implementation (NTFS 3G is far from complete and wasn't updated for many years already).
- fuzzfactor 6y ago
  At ASTM, overcoming those type of problems with complete consensus, then independently publishing and maintaining the resulting Standard Specification into the next century or beyond is just an everyday (everyyear actually) occurrence. That's exactly the reason for the existence of the Society to begin with. I would start by calling for action from an appropriate committee, submitting all available documentation from NTFS-3G plus from Paragon. Microsoft, and anyone else who has anything to offer that they would not like to become overlooked. Then hammer away in committee, especially with the full cooperation of Microsoft and all the great engineers who do have some rare expertise, it should be possible to publish like never before as an international ASTM Standard within a year, and maintain it from that point forward with all revisions rigorously reviewed and documented. After that engineers everywhere will have the technical reference material they have been lacking when they need to make sure their implementations of NTFS are as compatible with each other as they can be, even better allowing for absolute full compliance by all going forward.

xvilka 6y ago

NTFS would be a poor choice. This FS is very complex, undocumented, and without a good complete open source implementation (NTFS 3G is far from complete and wasn't updated for many years already).

fuzzfactor 6y ago
At ASTM, overcoming those type of problems with complete consensus, then independently publishing and maintaining the resulting Standard Specification into the next century or beyond is just an everyday (everyyear actually) occurrence. That's exactly the reason for the existence of the Society to begin with. I would start by calling for action from an appropriate committee, submitting all available documentation from NTFS-3G plus from Paragon. Microsoft, and anyone else who has anything to offer that they would not like to become overlooked. Then hammer away in committee, especially with the full cooperation of Microsoft and all the great engineers who do have some rare expertise, it should be possible to publish like never before as an international ASTM Standard within a year, and maintain it from that point forward with all revisions rigorously reviewed and documented. After that engineers everywhere will have the technical reference material they have been lacking when they need to make sure their implementations of NTFS are as compatible with each other as they can be, even better allowing for absolute full compliance by all going forward.