The design stage

Ian Clarke (I.Clarke nospam at ed.ac.uk)
Tue, 09 Mar 1999 19:07:21 +0000

> Let's not rush into this. Having lots of people come in with already
> completed protocols isn't going to help guard against fragmentation.
> We aren't in the implementation phase yet; we're still on design. One
> of the great strengths of the free software community is that there
> are lots of people to help brainstorm on _design_, so we don't end up
> with a brain-dead protocol that becomes obsolete in six months. Keep
> that in mind.

I agree. There are some potential implementations out there, but I
really think we should think before we leap. I think the XML idea is a
good one, I also think there is merit in using a HTTP-like protocol (so
that a web-browser could be used to submit information). Perhaps we
should consider some form of modular system, where the same server can
accept several methods of input. Initially, CDDB, HTTP, and our very
own XML formats. Some people will worry here about fragmentation, but
as many have pointed out we really must support CDDB to begin with
anyway, while also providing our own superior protocol.

Ian.

-- 
___________________________________________________________________________
Ian Clarke                                    
http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/~iic
       "A subversive is anyone who can out-argue their government"