[hashcash] Re: new format tweak coming...

Adam Back wrote:

> Hi
> 
> I'm thinking that we need one more tweak to the hashcash format to
> make it extensible -- a format change to end all format changes, and
> allow people to add their extensions and have the extension
> information cryptographically linked to the hashcash.
> 
> The current format is:
> 
> version:date:resource:random
> 
> (the resource is the email address, but in other contexts could be
> URL, web site hostname, IP address, IRC nickname etc)
> 
> the new format will be:
> 
> version:date:resource:[extension]:random

I'm just trying to clarify that if there is no extension the format 
would look something like:

version:date:resource::random

correct?


> 
> a where the extension is optional.
> 
> the suprising things or gotchas are that (a) the resource can contain
> ':' char.  The rule is: the version and date are : separated from the
> left, the random and extension are : separated from the right, and the
> bit in the middle is the resource name.

but can't extensions contain colon characters?  Something like:

0:20040303:esj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:keyurl=http://key.troublemaker.com/public/esj:random

> I don't think it's worth a format number change as it's very similar
> (and actually compatible with pre 0.14, post 0.14 I introduced allowed
> : delimeter inside the resource) and current user base is small.

I would feel better changing the number just to record the fact that we 
changed things.  But like you said, we have a small user base, we're all 
talking, and I'm sure lapo will just love making yet another change to 
his Java applet.  ;-).  In fact, the more I think about this, the more I 
think it's a great idea because now I can take things I was going to 
include as extra headers and actually embed them in the stamp.  For 
example get out of jail information would be one such tidbit.  Also 
broadcasting current postage rates might another good use of these 
extensions.

---eric


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