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From: mcb@styx.UUCP (Michael C. Berch)
Newsgroups: net.news.stargate
Subject: Re: Stargate
Message-ID: <19896@styx.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 19:06:45 EST
Article-I.D.: styx.19896
Posted: Wed Mar  5 19:06:45 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 8-Mar-86 22:05:11 EST
References: <884@vortex.UUCP>
Reply-To: mcb@styx.UUCP (Michael C. Berch)
Distribution: net
Organization: Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, CA
Lines: 24
Summary: Proprietary vs. PD encoding?

At no time in the previous discussions of Stargate here on the net or
at Lauren's presentation(s) at Usenix do I recall that it had been
decided that the data encoding techniques used to encode and decode
Stargate data would be other than public domain, or that Stargate
recipients would be required to use the "official" decoder, the sole
source for which would presumably be the Stargate sales organization.

From Lauren's posting I am unsure as to whether the encoding
techniques are designed to ENCRYPT the data in order to prevent
non-subscribers from receiving them, or are merely used to use the
bandwidth most efficiently. I am also unsure as to whether the
techniques are proprietary because they are technically innovative (and
thus have economic value) or because they are used for encryption.

Since Stargate is only one of many users of satellite transponder "extra"
bandwidth for digital traffic, surely a common, non-proprietary
encoding technique could be found that would permit Stargate recipients to
design and build their own RO equipment independently of the Stargate
organization, and even allow competition and multiple sources for this
equipment.

Michael C. Berch
ARPA: mcb@lll-tis-b.ARPA
UUCP: {akgua,allegra,cbosgd,decwrl,dual,ihnp4,sun}!idi!styx!mcb