Forum OpenACS Development: Virtual Beer

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