Date: Sat, 14 May 1994 20:59:57 -0700
Message-Id: <199405150359.UAA06682@osiris.ac.hmc.edu>
From: Jared_Rhine@hmc.edu
To: avatar@notebook.aus.xanadu.com (Andrew Pam)
Subject: URN Requirements
Andrew> I believe that this could be implemented by ensuring that the
Andrew> resource identifiers are always stored relative to the local server,
Andrew> and are canonicalised immediately whenever transferred from another
Andrew> server.
Jared> I'm having trouble coming up with any "canonicalization" algorithm that
Jared> would work quickly and deterministically.
Andrew> I believe I have one.
Then I'm sure we would love to see it. As usual when I'm discussing with
Xandadu folks (well, just you; I've never seen any other members of that
rare species), it may very well be the case that my conception of the terms
and issues may be different than yours.
Andrew> Other software will almost certainly have to use a local Xanadu
Andrew> server to access Xanadu resources, so the gateway could just produce
Andrew> locally valid URNs. Of course, I raised the issue because I think
Andrew> "locally valid URNs" would kind of spoil the point of the whole
Andrew> scheme...
Actually, upon a rereading of your response, I'm almost sure we have
different ideas. How could you possibly produce a "locally valid URN"?
With that kind of concept barrier, the publication of your algorithm is
probably the only way I'll be able to grasp what you're getting at.
-- Jared_Rhine@hmc.edu | Harvey Mudd College | http://www.hmc.edu/~jared/"Come, let us retract the foreskin of misconception and apply the wire brush of enlightenment." -- Geoff Miller