[net.mail.headers] CCITT lists in the MTL

steve%cs.ucl.ac.uk@BRL.ARPA (07/16/86)

Tommy,

Are we sure that CCITT is making the big mistake that everyone
seems to claim that it is  making.   As you well know, I
strongly agree that doing lists at the P2 level is the only
reasonable approach.

Now CCITT are definitely proposing doing distribution lists in
the MTL.  The key thing here is that by doing it in the MTL,
the PTTs can charge for list expansion as a value added service.
However, the Reston output (I have not yet seen the
Melbourne stuff) notes "although its expansion point resides in
the MTS, a DL bears some resemblance to a UA....".   It strikes
me that what is going to happen is that CCITT will define a P2
level (correct) functionality, and then say it belongs within
the MTL.   This is exactly the same architectural fudge as they
made for content conversion.   It all boils down to the fact
that money and politics have a much stronger influence on CCITT
than having a clean model.


Steve