Standards for electronic message systems

The major stadardization issues raised by EMS are described: message structure standards; delivery standards; address identification standards; and, user interface standards.

Abstract

Abstract Electronic message systems (EMS) are beginning to proliferate. Nearly two dozen commercial message systems already exist. At least two private message systems already carry several million messages annually. There will soon be dozens of EMS communities, each with thousands of users. However, unless dramatic breakthroughs in standards are made soon, each of these communities will be isolated, unable to exchange messages. This article describes the major stadardization issues raised by EMS: message structure standards; delivery standards; address identification standards; and, user interface standards. The problem of how to set EMS standards is also discussed.