RFC 539 (rfc539) - Page 1 of 3


Thoughts on the mail protocol proposed in RFC 524



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                              D. Crocker (UCLA-NMC)
Request For Comment: #539                           J. Postel (UCLA-NMC)
NIC 17644                                                   July 9, 1973
References: 524


           Thoughts on the Mail Protocol Proposed in RFC 524


Generally, we feel that the protocol is extremely rich. We also feel
that there are some minor and some major problems.

The minor points first:

    1.   and  are not explained until the formal syntax. It
    would be more convenient, if they were explained sooner.

    2. The Proposed  is a bad thing, since it is the Telnet Go-
    Ahead, which should not be used by higher level protocols.

    3. The default SIGNATURE should be the sign-on or ident of the
    author(s).

    4. The Disposition INTERRUPT would be more useful if it had
    author/clerk-assigned "levels". Currently mail would be either
    urgent or not. With levels (say 1 to 10), the sender could rate the
    degree of urgency.

        There would be no precise defined meaning to any of these
        levels, merely the opportunity for a subjective evaluation by
        the sender. The receiver (process or person) may do whatever
        they wish with the information.

        A user could thereby direct a receiving process to notify him
        immediately of Priority 5 or higher Short mail or any Priority
        10 mail immediately, but defer notification of any other mail.
        (Length is discussed later in this note.)

    5. Also, we would like the  word, "INTERRUPT", to be changed to
    URGENT or PRIORITY

    6. In keeping with offering the sender the opportunity to 'rate' his
    mail, we would like to allow him the chance to warn the receiver of
    the size of the mail.  This could be a byte count and/or an
    imprecise SHORT/MEDIUM/LONG.  Again, the receiver may use this
    information as he/it sees fit.





D. Crocker & Postel