Folks...,
I'm just now getting to the point where I can actually digest this thread (as
well as a couple of others on pem-dev). The first thing I'd like to comment on
is the notion Steve (Spock) raises below.
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re[2]: S/MIME
Author: spock <spock(_at_)rsa(_dot_)com> at Internet
Date: 9/26/95 11:58 AM
[ Portion Deleted ]
In my opinion, the S/MIME design discussions were no more "private" than
any early architecture discussions involving small groups of highly
motivated individuals/vendors within the IETF or anywhere else. It has
always been our intention to submit this S/MIME specs to the IETF as soon
as there is "rough consensus and working code".
There is a significant difference between "architecture discussions" and
"implementation discussions" and "completed implementation". From all
appearances the closed SMIME group went to completed implementation before
open discussions were allowed on the spec.
While I would agree that most things generally begin with a small group of
motivated people, the similarity between the S/MIME group efforts and those
of the IETF end there (IMHO). Here's what I know of the history, others are
welcome to flame, laugh, concur or .... :-)
When I found out about S/MIME I sent a general inquiry to RSA via their Web
page (S/MIME wasn't on it at the time so I sent the general inquiry to
their Webmaster) I also sent an inquiry to pem-dev asking if I was asleep
or something (I do at least scan most msgs, some I do digest\READ).
Ned Freed responded to my inquiry on pem-dev with the jump-start overview
(he cross posted eventually to smime-dev. I've seen "0" discussions on that
list:-). Tim Matthews responded to my query to RSA indicating he had the
request forwarded to him. Tim indicated the discussion list was not open to
general participation (e.g. closed) and forwarded me the FAQ I subsequently
posted to pem-dev. Tim indicated if I had any questions he'd be happy to
answer them.
As for the eventual start-up of the smime-dev list, Dave C. & I had some
experience with this before it was actually there.... A strange one for
sure.