Don will this help to solve the problem?
Steve
Network Working Group S. MANNING
Request for Comments: xxxx
24th Jan 2004
A Standard for the Transmission of Virtual Beer over IP
Status of this Memo
This memo describes an experimental method for the encapsulation of
Virtual Beer in IP datagrams. This specification would be referred
to as VBTP. This is an experimental, not recommended standard.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Overview and Rational
On many occasions within community projects virtual beers are offered
as a form of gratuity often as a expression of thanks for a job well
done. Unfortunately no transport method exists which allows the
aforementioned beer to be delivered. This RFC aims to correct this
shortcoming. The protocol deals with the transmission of the beer
only. Transmission of the bottle and cap is outside of the scope of
this document.
Transmission Format
The first requirement is to convert the molecular structure of the
liquid beer into a binary representation. Some form of chemical
analysis is required. It is proposed that a database of the chemical
makeup of well known beer brands is maintained. This avoids the
requirement to analyse each individual beer transmitted which should
greatly improve throughput. In the UK the Campaign for Real Ale
(www.camra.org.uk) have been approached with a view to setting up a
national standard database to enable the transmission of real ale
by VBTP.
The structure of the beer is packaged into a series of IP datagrams.
The number of datagrams transmitted is determined by the size and
number of bottles being transmitted. The datagrams are received on
the VBTP port by a virtual beer gateway server (VBGS). This device
resembles a cross between a cisco router and an espresso coffee maker.
Upon receipt of the appropriate number of datagrams the VBGS
constructs the beer from source molecules and deposits it in a bottle.
It then caps the bottle before ringing a bell to indicate a delivery.
Discussion
The obvious problem with transmission by VBTP is that of licensing
from the breweries. One solution would be to organise some form of
licensing perhaps using DRM to control transmission and payment.
Security Considerations
Security is not generally a problem in normal operation, but special
measures must be taken (such as data encryption) to avoid interception
of the VBTP packets by underage persons.
Author's Address
Steve Manning
Chestnut Way
East Goscote
Leicester
UK
Phone: +44 (0)116 2605457
EMail: Steve@Manning.net
