In a discussion on the PMMail mailing list the topic of Message-IDs came
up. I used TB!'s MSGIDs as an example of an MUA which generates its own
MSGIDs (PMMail does not do it currently). Here are some examples from my sent
mail, all messages sent in the past hour:
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
The string seems to be as follows:
<random_integer>.<Date_String:YYMMDD>@<HOST>
One of the people from BSW who is trying to understand MSGIDs pointed out,
rightfully so, that on a relatively "small" product like TB! having such a
string would be ok since the possibility of duplication is low. However, if
we were talking a "big" product like Outlook, NS or Eudora on, say, Earthlink,
the chances of duplication quick raise to a point where it is readily
possible. I pointed out that in the case of such duplication that it would be
a bug.
Now some examples from mutt:
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
As you can see the format appears to be as follows:
<Date_and_time_String:YYYYMMDDhhmms>.<Random_number?>@<HOST>
The addition of hhmmss reduces the chance of duplication greatly. Also,
the 2nd half of the string I'm not sure is entirely random, either. I'm sure
there are elements of randomness in there, but I'm also sure the basis is on
something unique.
With that said, I believe it would behoove RITLABS to create a new
algorithm for their MSGIDs to ensure uniqueness as required by RFC822.
Granted the chances are slim as TB! is "small" but it is better to address it
now than in the future when it can become a problem.
--
Steve C. Lamb | I'm your priest, I'm your shrink, I'm your
ICQ: 5107343 | main connection to the switchboard of souls.
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