Introducing CBOR-LD...

Hi W3C Credentials Community Group,

This email introduces CBOR-LD, the Concise Binary Object Representation
for Linked Data.

CBOR-LD provides a general purpose algorithm to compress JSON-LD
documents, such as W3C Verifiable Credentials and W3C Decentralized
Identifier Documents, to a compact binary representation. Using this new
technology, it is possible to achieve compression ratios north of 300%,
resulting in new ecosystem capabilities like being able to squeeze a
digitally signed Verifiable Credential into a relatively small QR Code,
store 3x as many VCs in a digital wallet, and other gains in storage
efficiency. The algorithm is generalized and is able to achieve these
gains for many types of JSON-LD inputs.

An introductory presentation on CBOR-LD is attached as a PDF. The latest
copy of the presentation is here:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ksh-gUdjJJwDpdleasvs9aRXEmeRvqhkVWqeitx5ZAE/edit

There is an implementation of the concepts outlined in the presentation
above here in Node.js (browser-based version coming soon-ish):

https://github.com/digitalbazaar/cborld

A very rough specification is forming here:

https://digitalbazaar.github.io/cbor-ld-spec/

This is mostly just a notification of work that is ready for public
circulation, discussion, and feedback. Digital Bazaar feels pretty
confident in the direction of the work at this point, but also cautions
that this is merely a start and there will need to be many more months
of work put into it to discover bugs, finalize the general algorithm,
and perform other nascent technology gyrations. We would not recommend
that anyone implement the technology at this time without reading the
source implementation above. There are known bugs and this technology
isn't ready for prime time -- DO NOT use it for production deployments
unless you really know what you're doing -- expect things to change.

We will have a public presentation on CBOR-LD in a few weeks and will
let this group know when and where that is happening. In the meantime,
questions and feedback via the mailing list and via the appropriate
Github issue tracker is appreciated.

W3C CCG Chairs, the intent here is to NOT make this a CCG work item and
instead send it through the JSON-LD CG/WG. That said, the technology
could have a significant impact on the work in this community and we
are, therefore, requesting time to discuss it on a future CCG call (with
invitations sent to other W3C WGs like JSON-LD, VCWG, DID WG, Web of
Things WG, etc.). Thoughts?

-- manu

-- 
Manu Sporny - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manusporny/
Founder/CEO - Digital Bazaar, Inc.
blog: Veres One Decentralized Identifier Blockchain Launches
https://tinyurl.com/veres-one-launches