> > What about allowing name "" to support multiple links, so that the browser
> > could be told name "file:///localfile.doc http://www.remote.com/foo.html".
> > The browser could then be configured to look first at a local CD for
> > content, resort to the http if *file not found* error
>
> I think that's not a good idea. Who should develop documents with such
> mulitiple links. Should all documents have multiple (dummy) links
> - even if they do not exist ?
>
> Instead this functionality should be realized externaly.
> For example as a special (proxy) cache server which has a rule list
> for local replacements of URL's. This server could also be usefull
> for WWW-Clients.
This is the same problem that the domain name service system solves.
First your local machine tries to solve the need. If it fails, a local
machine tries, and failing that, a less local machine is tried. This goes
on until a root server is reached.
None of the information about the system of servers is stored in the
link. That would be set up in a configration file. This way the links can
be simple, and the system for finding the actual resources can be changed
without affecting the links.
The problem is: What happens when you get a "file not found"? Does the
object simply fail to appear in the space? Are you then able to walk
through an area in your virtual living room where a coffee table would
otherwise bark your shins?
I'm certain that we don't want the entire space to be contained in one
huge file. What do we do?
BTW: The idea of first searching a CD-ROM is great. Imagine being able to
locally store a bunch of standard textures and simple objects. This would
cut down on network bandwidth use. If you need a phone, you grab one off
the CD, color the way you want it, and stick it in the scene. I am sure
that spaces will have to contain information about what version of a
standard set of objects that they expect to run on.
---
Andrew C. Esh mailto:[email protected]
Computer Network Technology [email protected] (finger for PGP key)
6500 Wedgwood Road 612.550.8000 (main)
Maple Grove MN 55311 612.550.8229 (direct)
<A HREF="http://www.mtn.org/~andrewes">ACE Home Page</A>