Rep (2) : simple information lookup services

[Ascan Woermann <[e-mail]>]

Danny,
I think your reply is worth sending out on the list, so here it is : 

> Ascan:
> 
> There is little doubt that users need simpler interfaces to Directory Services
> for everyday use and the success of X.500.
> So you are quite right in your desire to stimualte conversation on  the
> subject.   Here are my thoughts:
> 
> FIRST from the technology side:
> The general facility is that defined by the X.500 specification. I would 
> not spend too much time trying to create a new general interface. 
> A general interface protocol is often complex, containing operations (verbs)
> rarely used.  Nonetheless, they are there for completeness and as building 
> blocks for higher level abstractions.
> 
> Human and/or machine interfaces provided by advances such as LDAP will be
> used in certain situations by certain users.  However, other users will
> generate their own presentation and perhaps DUA - Application interfaces.
> Some developments will see wide spread use while others will be restricted
> to a certain domain, machine type, or presentation vehicle. 
> 
> SECOND from the marketing side:
> Without a friendly / consistant user interface a system rarely gets very far
> outside the development center.  IE. it does not sell well.
> This is where X.500 is lacking at the moment.  Efforts to create a simpler
> general interface should therefore be based on a market orientation.
> We need a general interface which will profile X.500 as a winner to the
> right customers.
> 
> I suggest that before any major efforts is made to create
> the next best Directory access package, that a market target be identified and
> their requirements investigated.
> 
> ...  Danny 
> --
> 
> =========================================================================
> =  Daniel L. Silver    University of Western Ontario, London, Canada    =
> =                      N6A 3K7 - Dept. of Comp. Sci. - Office: MC27b    =
> =  [e-mail]  H: [phone]   O: [phone] (ext.6903)   =
> =========================================================================