Michael Elkins wrote:
The SHOULD in 9.3 is perhaps a bit problematic. If you implement
compression, ZIP is the algorithm to implement. Perhaps this really
means that the MAY in 2.3 ought to be a SHOULD, and just be done with
it. That's certainly the easiest change to make. The more I think
about this as I write this note, I think that's the correct change to
make -- MAY in 2.3 becomes SHOULD.
Given that whether or not an implementation decides to implement compression
can affect its ability to interoperate, I think it would be better to have
the stronger suggestion that it be implemented. Think "you SHOULD implement
this unless you know what you are doing and can accept the fact that your
implementation will likely not interoperate."
Couldn't something be done about this with a capability in the public
key? ie as with mixmaster you don't send people compressed messages
if they can't decompress them.
Adam