From: mitra@path.net (Mitra)
Subject: Re: Data elements and other jazz
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1993 20:08:48 GMT
Message-Id: <CFoDAo.6n9@pandora.sf.ca.us>
Chris Weider (clw@merit.edu) wrote:
: We seem to have started coalescing a consensus to use the IAFA template(s)
: to hold metainformation. I'd like to add my voice to this consensus, and
: point out that WHOIS++ is ideally suited to serve this type of information.
: Although there are other protocols that can serve it as well, the resource
: metainformation that will be contained in these templates will also be
: critical for a large-scale resource location system. And, in my opinion,
: WHOIS++ is the only protocol that is seriously attempting to address the
: search problems inherent in such a system.
Chris, I agree with you on this, but there are some outstanding questions
- in particular the question of nested attributes, or precedence or
whatever we call it. Someone posted an example nested whois++ template
(Nested meaning attributes on both the URN's and the URL's) but I didnt
see any confirmation from Peter (or you?) as to whether its legal in
whois++ to return multiple instances of the same element, where their
position in the packet is significant?
: As to the data element work, there will be a discussion of what's been done
: so far and what needs to yet be done in the Wednesday meeting of IIIR.
Great - the list of elements has been promised since Columbus!
- Mitra