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Subject: Global-Scale Distributed Storage Systems

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  • From: "Josh" <josh AT mercuryfs.net>
  • To: "'Global-Scale Distributed Storage Systems'" <bluesky AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: the mercury file system and UNI ID
  • Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001 19:15:30 -0700


Your questions: "'Exactly what do you have a patent on ?? I've read a
certain amount of the text on your website and have seen a lot of buzzwords,
a deep misunderstanding of the business models of ISPs, an assumption that
web content is static (and served independently of accessing IP address), a
US-centric approach to the law and a cavalier disregard of user's rights
when approached by policemen who persuade you that a life is at risk!"'

My answers:
The business models of ISPs are not that far off, MFS does not apply to all
internet files, and the Synchronization groups will go a long way. . ISP's
are motivated by new features, faster performance, better security, and
things that their end users will like. The dynamic content issues can be
beaten, I'm certain of it. See this link for a small discussion on that
topic. www.mercuryfs.net/essence3.htm

As for the issues of when a life is at risk, I'm only going to cite existing
case law, and I'm waiting for an attorney to step forward and help me on it.
It will be the same laws the apply to federal express and UPS. Until then,
everything is a situation. But this will be ironed out far before its up and
running.

But remember this, UNI ID does not store a complete credit card number, and
only an email address. Just because that info is given to the cops doesn't
mean they've identified anybody. And whats wrong if I actually trust my
government? I'm not saying they are perfect, but I fear foreign problems
more than domestic. I'm going to deny the Chinese, for example. That will be
a headache.


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Clayton [mailto:richard AT highwayman.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 7:00 PM
To: Global-Scale Distributed Storage Systems
Subject: Re: talked to ESR

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Hash: SHA1

In message <>, Josh <josh AT mercuryfs.net> writes

>He doesn't seem to really care,

I have a lot of sympathy with him

>Just because I have the patent,

Exactly what do you have a patent on ?? I've read a certain amount of
the text on your website and have seen a lot of buzzwords, a deep
misunderstanding of the business models of ISPs, an assumption that web
content is static (and served independently of accessing IP address), a
US-centric approach to the law and a cavalier disregard of user's rights
when approached by policemen who persuade you that a life is at risk!

What I haven't seen is a patent number (apart from Apple's) or even an
indication of exactly which part of your Grand Design you have persuaded
the US Patent Office is innovative.

>Nobody has thought of hashing a credit card number and PIN number to create
>a psuedo-anonymous form of identification.

Perhaps that's because it won't work :(

* partners often share a single credit card number so it isn't as
unique as would be desirable

* in order for a third party to validate a UNI ID they must be given
your credit card number.... one of the lessons we are learning in
the ECommerce world is that individuals are very reluctant to hand
over this information

* your charging model is completely backwards : you have no provision
to prevent the third party from running up any number of $0.02
charges [$0.05 in some documents!] once you have released the credit
card number to them

* if you think the credit card companies are going to take only a few
percent from $0.02 transactions you clearly haven't negotiated with
them...

* it's bad system design to wave your hands about someone else's
credentials system ("no two people have the same card number") and
then build into the heart of your schemes

I would write more (you've written enough detail amongst the hype for it
to be taken apart), but I see others are already bored with the topic.

- --
richard @ highwayman . com "Nothing seems the same
Still you never see the change from day to day
And no-one notices the customs slip away"


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  • the mercury file system and UNI ID, Josh, 08/02/2001

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