Re: RFC for a group to discuss decentralization

UserLand is very active in this area, and has a lot of ideas, and software.
Our involvement in SOAP is centered on the Fractional Horsepower HTTP Server
idea, which is the same thing as SOAP, P2P and Napster. These apparently
separate worlds seem not to know much about the others, but it's the same
story. Count us in. Dave


----- Original Message -----
From: "Lucas Gonze" <lucas@gonze.com>
To: <xml-dist-app@w3.org>
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 12:16 PM
Subject: RFC for a group to discuss decentralization


> I wonder if there is a consensus to form a group or mailing list
> specifically for discussing decentralization (a.k.a P2P).  I see
> this as a followup to the issues raised at Twist 2000.
>
> For example:
> * Is decentralization ever a good idea?  If so, when?  Is there
> non-anecdotal evidence of costs and benefits?
> * What protocol issues are there?  Can we begin assembling a good
> protocol for decentralized messaging?  To what degree do the
> protocols for Freenet, Gnutella or WorldOS meet the need (and how
> do they fail)?  Do we need an application protocol or something
> lower level?  Can HTTP do the job?  Can we implement peer routing
> as an add-on to existing protocols?  Is there a call to develop
> an IETF working group?
> * Given that authoring and versioning are critical but hard in a
> decentralized environment, how can we approach the job?  Is it
> possible to integrate WebDAV with peer networking?
> * What are the business issues?  Who are the players?  Who else
> stands to win or lose, and why?
>
> At present many people and groups are working on the issues in
> isolation, some for competitive reasons and others for lack of an
> alternative.  My belief is that a communal approach will be more
> productive.
>
> In hope that there will be interest, I have created a list
> accessible at http://www.egroups.com/group/decentralization.
>
> - Lucas Gonze
>

Received on Monday, 17 July 2000 17:43:44 UTC