Re: [Gen-art] Gen-ART LC review of draft-loreto-http-bidirectional-05.txt

[Peter Saint-Andre <[e-mail]>]

On 12/3/10 8:44 PM, "Brian E Carpenter" <[e-mail]> wrote:

> This is real example of protocol abuse. HTTP wasn't designed for
> this and doesn't do this properly.

Which is why folks who are currently using long-polling techniques are
actively contributing to the HYBI WG.

> The draft is non-judgmental,
> and that might be a mistake.

The draft is Informational and therefore isn't really in a position to pass
judgments. All it is trying to say is: we know that long-polling techniques
have many issues, but if you're going to use these techniques then at least
try to do so with some modicum of intelligence. We're making the best of a
bad situation, and if the HYBI WG is successful then hopefully people won't
feel the need for long-polling techniques in the future.

> Personally, if I was in the IESG,
> I'd be considering a "holding my nose" ABSTAIN ballot

I'll be balloting RECUSE.

> unless some 
> text stating that the methods described are really bad ideas
> was added.

I'd have no problem with adding a sentence or two to the effect that
long-polling is a temporary hack that emerged from the applications
community and will hopefully be superseded by technologies that aren't so
abusive of HTTP. I'll confer with my co-authors about wordsmithing, if they
agree that it's a good idea to add such text.

Peter