timestamp on request/response in HTTP-in-RDF

Hi all,

Ref: <http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/HTTP/issues>

In the past we have decided that the primary scope of HTTP-in-RDF is to 
record the request and response pairs exchanged in HTTP sessions. It was 
also decided that it is out of scope to process the HTTP messages and to 
record application-level information. At least as much as we can avoid, 
but there is a gray line here (though this is a separate discussion).

We have also received the request to add timestamps to the request and 
response pairs as we record them. Our initial reaction was that this is 
outside HTTP and thus outside the scope of HTTP-in-RDF. There is also a 
resolution recorded in the minutes for the teleconference of 9 May [1].

However, to play devils advocate, timestamps can be regarded as meta 
information rather than an application-level interpretation. There are 
several scenarios in which it could be useful to know when a request was 
sent and when the response was received, for example to carry out tests 
on the delay or timeout settings of an application. Indeed some WCAG 2.0 
checks are related to time-sensitive accessibility issues.

If we go down that path, then we would need to work out how to measure 
time (i.e. from the perspective of the client, server, or maybe a 
proxy?) and what property to use (for example, there seem to be several 
DC properties for timing). But first we need sufficient demand to move 
ahead with this. At the current time this request is being dismissed.

So, since not all people where on the call when this resolution was 
taken, this is a final chance to voice your opinion in one way or the 
other. Would a timestamp on the request/response be of sufficient value 
to justify working on the details?

[1] <http://www.w3.org/2007/05/09-er-minutes>

Regards,
   Shadi


-- 
Shadi Abou-Zahra     Web Accessibility Specialist for Europe |
Chair & Staff Contact for the Evaluation and Repair Tools WG |
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)           http://www.w3.org/ |
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI),   http://www.w3.org/WAI/ |
WAI-TIES Project,                http://www.w3.org/WAI/TIES/ |
Evaluation and Repair Tools WG,    http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/ |
2004, Route des Lucioles - 06560,  Sophia-Antipolis - France |
Voice: +33(0)4 92 38 50 64          Fax: +33(0)4 92 38 78 22 |

Received on Thursday, 24 May 2007 17:13:31 UTC