Re: Bandwidth concerns

["Bill Kearney" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> >People complain that a full content file is too big.  They then wander off
> >into
> >looking into ways to get into differential delivery.  I'm arguing it's
> >better to
> >go with a lightweight manifest document and keep the rich items in their own
> >external documents.
>
> With all due respect, Bill, I think you're taking an absolutist position.

Hardly, I'm suggesting that alternatives exist in the face of commentary that
decries consideration of them.

> Give the publisher and subscriber the choice of whether to inline content
> or include by reference. Atom should let the publisher choose whether to
> include full content and extra payloads, to provide a summary or abstract,
> or to provide a simple bill of lading. The consumer will have their choice
> of feeds. This leaves configuration for bandwidth and security in the
> users' hands.

A full discussion of the /range/ of issues usually helps when it comes down to
narrowing what is or isn't worth supporting in a given spec.  Choice is, of
course, the goal.  Informed choice even more so.

> The technical challenge is assuring that Atom defines and supports both
> strategies well.

Without reinventing what's been done in other quarters, yes, that's the trick.

-Bill Kearney