[OpenID] Proposal: SMTP service extension for Yadis discovery

[Dmitry Shechtman]

> * Hack whatever MTA I'm running to support this extension.
> * Run a separate MTA on a separate address... but now I can't use my
> "real" email address as my identifier because the MX points at the other
> server!

This is definitely not meant for newbies. If you know what URL is, you don't
need this. It's meant for large providers like LiveJournal, which deal with
mainly non-tech users. There's nothing wrong with large providers "hacking
their MTA". Speaking of which, I should let LiveJournal devs know.


> By using SRV it can run on any address(es)/port(s) rather than having to
> be the same as my mail exchanger(s). It can also theoretically accept
> other similar identifiers like Jabber IDs if an appropriate mapping is
> defined.

I personally find handling SRV records more difficult than hacking MTAs.
However, your proposal is another viable way of achieving the functionality.


> I'm also not sure that there's a pressing need to use email addresses in
> this way.

There is such need for masses of users who have no idea what URLs are. Byrne
articulated this in his post.


Regards,
Dmitry
=damnian