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The cost of choices

2005-07-26 21:12:33

 Hmm. This is an interesting definition of "optional". I think any xkms-type
 proposal needs to be optional for the receiver too - which is what Michael's
 sample implies. However, the way you're casting it is that the sender could
 dictate to  the receiver that they *have* to fetch via xkms, is that correct?


Mark is raising a basic point about the effect of creating choices in a 
specification.

   Development
     Is it optional to create the software that supports the option.

   Use
     Are all participants free to choose not to support the option?

The usual IETF model is to define a core capability that has the minimum 
functionality to do something useful.  Everyone claiming to write code that 
"supports" the specification MUST implement all of that functionality.  
Everyone.  

Whether operators choose to use all the features is a separate matter, but as 
Mark notes, there is a problem if the initiating side uses it but the 
receiving side does not.  


  d/
  ---
  Dave Crocker
  Brandenburg InternetWorking
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  dcrocker  a t ...
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