Hello Maurice!

** On Wednesday 14.04.21 - 15:57, you wrote to me:

 MK> I recall saying that your idea is superior since it doesn't
 MK> require any changes to existing documentation regarding
 MK> MSGIDs.

The existing text could simply change "The serial number may be  
any eight character hexadecimal number,  as long as it is  
unique"  to "The serial number may be any eight character  
hexadecimal number or a randomized alphanumeric number [*] with  
the character set [a-z][A-Z][0-9], as long as it is unique"

[*] a suggestion by August Abolins, 2:221/1.58

The ftsc write-ups could serve as a guidebook for solutions and  
examples and help remove ambiguity and false interpretations.


 MK> If I gave you the wrong impression I will now apologize for
 MK> my lousy communication skills.  I am obviously a lousy
 MK> technical writer but in my defence I never claimed to be
 MK> good at it.

No worries.  I probably have a greater fog that gets in my way  
understanding what other people write.


 MK> ..Once 2106 rears it's ugly head there is nothing in my
 MK> routine that will prevent it from adding an extra hex
 MK> character but then it won't be compliant to the current
 MK> documented MSGID/REPLY format.

Even 2038 maybe of little concern for most of here right now. :(

And, unless a system keeps each and every message beyond 3 years  
in their respective message bases (even that is possible) there  
is probably no urgency to maintain rigidly unique msgids

 MK> However the routine based on random 8 character [:alnum:]
 MK> regex should still be good to go if indeed my attempt at
 MK> forwards compatibilty fails, which according to everyone is
 MK> the most likely result.

Yes.. it is sad that there is not much new or alternative  
emerging in the "ideas" department for FTN.

 MK> I am on record saying that I am prepared to soldier on if
 MK> indeed that happens.  That won't stop me from trying again
 MK> in the future but I cannot guarentee how long I can keep
 MK> soldiering on.  I am getting old.

I do hope to see what transpires commencing 2038.

--
  ../|ug

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