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