Subj : Re: the presentation layer
To : August Abolins
From : Tony Langdon
Date : Mon Jun 22 2020 02:35 pm
-=> On 06-21-20 17:43, August Abolins wrote to Tony Langdon <=-
AA> Hello Tony!
AA> ** On Tuesday 09.06.20 - 19:05, Tony Langdon wrote to Kees van Eeten:
KvE>> The presentation layer is not the realm of Fidonet. There is
KvE>> nothing in Fidonet that addresses the user experience.
TL> That's a succinct way of putting it, and I agree totally.
AA> Succinct, but not entirely correct. ;)
AA>
http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-0001.016 See, "Presentation Layer"
Hmm, a lot of that seemed to either say that there's no real standards for the
presentation layer, other than giving an example for what looked like a WFC
screen. And the description of the packet looked more appropriate for a lower
level of the stack. So, other than an Origin: line, what is actually mandated
at the presentation layer? Very little, if anything, from what I can see.
That means pretty much a blank canvas to work with. :)
AA> I posit that even new FTN-specific jargon that represents the
AA> technology it describes can be invented.
If it serves a purpose, why not?
AA> New tools, information servers, etc.. that can enchance the end-user
AA> experience could be helpful.
AA> As per an earlier vision of what this echo would encompass, how to
AA> "advance means of access", and "keep Fidonet attractive" include a
AA> visual component in the scope of discussions.
AA> One example of a step forward to useability is the ability to
AA> capitalize on lauching http:// links in messages with a simple
AA> keystroke directly at a bbs or within an offline reader. As a couple
That would be nice - my copy of Multimail certainly doesn't allow easy
HTTP(S):// access - I have to do the copy/paste thing.
AA> of others in the echo alluded to, there is room for designing new
AA> markup language distinct to fidonet that bbs systems and reader
AA> programs can understand.
AA> Let's not forget about the user in the discussions of the future for
AA> this technology.
This is an area where we could really make BBS technology a viable competitor
to things like web forums.
... Speed doesn't kill. Stopping very fast kills.
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