This support level system, which closely parallels the current Application Environment Specification - User Environment Volume support level system, specifies the commitment OSF makes to the guidelines in that region. The higher the support level, the longer the warning period required before OSF can delete the guidelines, or make an incompatible change in the guidelines. Support levels, therefore, serve as advisories for application developers because they indicate the length of time that a guideline is guaranteed to remain stable. OSF members review and comment on these support levels and the rest of the document. This review period may last from one to several months.
Members submit comments.
OSF responds to members' comments in the next version of the document, or in a discussion that takes place in an electronic news group or at a meeting. This section defines the support levels assigned to the guidelines. As previously mentioned, support levels define OSF's commitment to interface definitions by indicating the warning period required to make an incompatible modification or deletion of the guideline. A full-use guideline has the highest support level, so it is the most protected from incompatible modification or deletion. There should rarely be a need to remove a full-use guideline, or make incompatible modifications to it.