Presence and IntComm WG

[Candace Holman <>]

I don't know how useful a central server would be without a protocol for 
coordinating updates from lots of edge servers.  Propagation time is a 
factor with something as dynamic as presence.  Server would also have to be 
able to cope with conflicting updates.

On the other hand, we have to be able to prevent edge servers from being 
turned into targets for data mining clients taking periodic snapshots of 
the presence information in order to stalk others.

I agree with Deke that an option for subscription is a technological choice 
that clearly has advantages for government vs individual.  If I am not 
allowed to chose how, when and where my presence is registered, be it 
collected by edge or central server, then I am more likely to try to find 
ways to be absent all the time.

Even if we give up our expectation of privacy in order to successfully 
monitor someone who is a potential criminal element, we should be 
guaranteed that the data is authentic.  I wouldn't want my id to be 
mistaken for one of the Ten Most Wanted.

Candace

At 04:11 PM 2/13/2004, Jeremy George wrote:

>    Some folks responded to my note in re the social context of PIC/ALS
> a la Dave Clark's presentation and paper (Barry, Candace, Alistair
> and Deke.)  We're thinking about producing some sort of document but
> before we put pen to paper we'd like to foster a discussion on this list.
> In Dr. Clark's terms our job as technologists is to define and describe
> the level playing field or "tussle space" not to pick winners and losers
> nor to endorse a particular political point of view.  The first "tussle
> space" we're considering is the government vs the individual in PIC/ALS
>
>    As an example, certainly in the US the DoJ would claim that the
> government is a stakeholder in its requirement to combat terrorism.
> In fact they said as much as a recent FCC hearing in re VoIP.  On the
> other hand, Joanna Citizen might claim that the DoJ already has more
> information about her than she is comfortable with.  Whatever the
> political outcome of such a tussle, the technological solution can be
> implemented with an edge presence server or a central presence server.
> Each would seem to me to pretty clearly tilt the field.
>
>   In this context would anyone like to share thoughts?
>
> --