Subj : human-readable nodelist format
To : Jan Vermeulen
From : Micael Bulow
Date : Mon Dec 16 2002 02:45 am
mb> The nodelist is to be distributed and read by machines, not humans.
JV> Not quite:
JV> the nodelist is read by humans and machines
Are you reading the nodelist for brekfast, or what? =)
JV> The cost of transfer of ZIPped XML over phone lines is 1.23
JV> times the cost of the same ZIPped file in ASCII style.
Yes, that's why we are applying an appropriate stylesheet for those who needs
the old format.
It is much harder to convert from the old format to XML then from XML to the
old format since there is a standard XML parser in every modern programing
language, script language and platform today.
mb> Otherwise we will still have the same problem as we do now to atract
mb> new developers, who is not used to bits and complecated rules of
mb> spaces and linefeeds.
JV> Are you really saying that those developers are unable to write
JV> letters? I for me can not read something else in the phrase.
No, I'm saying that they wont do it since there is much more efficient
techniques today.
JV> Now that is interesting: I can give the XML format to my mailer
JV> and it will work rightway, without any utilities?
Surely you understand my point. If you don't, fine with me. If the rest of
Fidonet agrees with you, thats also fine with me. I just wanted to give you my
oppinion before the standards is set.
We do have A LOT to gain in the future if we use a modern, widely known
standard instead of the old ones that only a few people in Fidonet knows.
