[mail-vet-discuss] Auth-Results issue #4 method=value values

These comments are about the values specified for the method=value:
pass, fail, softfail, neutral, temperror and permerror.

First pass:
        sending domain publishes an authentication policy of some kind,
        and the message passed the authentication tests

Why is a policy being required? Not all methods have policies, and some
methods can be used without a published policy.

Instead say something like

        The message passed the authentication tests. (This may require
        accessing an authentication policy of some kind published by the
        sending domain.)

The same comments go for fail:
        sending domain publishes an authentication policy of some kind,
        and the message failed the authentication tests

Instead say something like

        The message failed the authentication tests. (This may require
        accessing an authentication policy of some kind published by the
        sending domain.)

The other value definitions are different, but need to recognize that
not all authentication methods require policies. I'd suggest this rewording:
    softfail
        The authentication method requires a policy to be accessed, but
        the policy does not require authentication of all messages from
        that domain, and the message failed the authentication tests

    neutral
        The authentication method requires a policy to be accessed, but
        the sending domain does not publish any sender authentication
        policy.

    temperror
        A temporary (recoverable) error occurred attempting to
        authenticate the sender; either the process couldn't be
        completed locally because of some transient condition, or (for
        methods requiring a policy to be accessed) there was a temporary
        failure retrieving the sending domain's policy; a later attempt
        to re-authenticate this message might produce a more final
        result.

    permerror
        a permanent (unrecoverable) error occurred attempting to
        authenticate the sender; either the process couldn't be
        completed locally, or (for methods requiring a policy to be
        accessed) there was a permanent failure retrieving the sending
        domain's policy.


        Tony Hansen
        tony(_at_)att(_dot_)com
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