From: lull@acm.org (John Lull)
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 10:41:50 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: Proxy/Representation?
In-Reply-To: <199512281517.JAA13397@cdale1.midwest.net>
Message-ID: <30e2ce46.37070124@smtp.ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


David E. Smith wrote:

> The question is: how do the current software packages handle representatives
> and proxies for a given is-a-person?  Using PGP as an example, I can't sign
> a message with Helen's key.  And a message signed with my key won't hold
> as much weight because "Dave" is not "Helen."  And if every message I send
> on behalf of Helen has to be followed up by a message from Helen stating
> "yes, Dave may act on my behalf for this instance" then much of the point
> of the proxy process is lost.  (i.e. the reduction of Helen's workload etc.)

I would think a power-of-attorney, signed by Helen, would do the
trick.  This would normally be valid for some pre-defined period, for
a pre-defined set of transactions, and would not have to be generated
anew each time.