Definition:
===========

WetMail is a proposed addressing system for transmitting of physical
objects through human networks.  It was invented in 1997 by Arnt Richard
Johansen <broca@fix.no>.  You are free to make improvements in the
system, as long as you state clearly that it isn't the original document
issued by ARJ in 1998, and increment the version number in this document
(below) and in the WetMail signature.

The current version number of the WetMail System is 1.0.

The purpose of the system is to make it easier to send stuff to remote
aquintances, in cases when it just isn't enough to say "Joe needs this
tape by Monday.".

The standard WetMail exchange system is assigning packets to already
existing trips, which are already reserved for carrying people or cargo.
This eliminates the need for extra trips for routing WetMail.

It seems impossible to get all people in the world to use this standard,
but if small groups of people starts complying to the standard, it could
quickly spread.  Please send this document to everyone you know and
don't know.

General rules:
==============

    The address record should be written on paper using a pencil, pen,
    or any analogue letter writing device. It shall comply to the WMAR
    declaration in this document.

    One may route a WetMail packet inclusively by these means:
       -Give it directly to another router (best)
       -Send it by a transport firm
       -Send it by SnailMail (the packet must be encapsulated with an
        official SnailMail address record)

    Any person supporting the WetMail system may never accept any form
    of payment for routing a WetMail packet.

    If the packet you are routing has gone past its intended delivery
    date, take it directly to the recipient if it possible and costs
    little effort.

    If the packet you are routing has expired, follow this procedure:

1.  Keep the packet.  Don't route it any further until you can establish
    direct contact with the recipient (F2F, voice, email, etc.).

2.  Attempt to contact the recipient by the best of your ability.

    A.  If you reach him, deliver the packet *directly* to him.
    B.  If you don't reach him, continue to follow the procedure:

3.  Attempt to contact the issuer of the packet by the best of your
    ability.

    A.  If you don't reach him, keep the packet for ever and ever until
        either the recipient or the issuer shows up and collects it.
    B.  If you reach him, ask for any more ways to come in direct
        contact of the recipient.
        A.  If he knows any, assimilate them and jump back to point 2.
        B.  If he doesn't know any, ask for him to collect the packet.
            A.  If he agrees, wait for him to collect it.
            B.  If he refuses, detach the address field of the packet
                and attach a new one with his name and address in *both*
                the issuer and recipient field.  This way, it won't
                bounce if the issuer is unreachable.  Use the date a
                month after the current date for expiration date.
                Intended delivery date is optional.

WetMail Address Record (WMAR):
==============================

Field 1: WetMail signature.  This starts with the string "WetMail v1.0".
         Other information, such as "Not to be sent through ordinary
         mail", is optional.  If the packet has exceeded its intended
         delivery date, the string "URGENT" shall be appended.  If the
         packet has expired, the string "URGENT" shall be overstruck,
         and the string "EXPIRED, do not route" shall be appended.
         Otherwise the field shall remain unchanged.

Field 2: Issuers name and address in the following format:

         From:  J. Random Nerd  <- Loserhood

         This shall remain unchanged by anyone routing the packet.

Field 3: Expiration date and intended delivery date in YY.MM.DD format,
         like this:

         Int/Exp: 98.03.01
                  98.03.14

Field 4: Intended recipients name and adresses like this:

         To:  Hacker Joe -> Nerdhood
                         -> Helsinki University of Technology
              Lexiphage  -> Knights of the Julia Calculus
                         -> irc #betty_boop
              hackerj@nerdhood.net -> email
              1-800-56334 -> voice

        Routers may append other known names and addresses at the end of
        the list.  Everyone noticing an incorrect entry at the list,
        shall mark them with a pling, !, in the left margin.

Glossary:
=========

address:         the name of the place, institution or social group an
                 individual is supposed to be reachable through

address record:  the record on the WetMail packet which contains the
                 WetMail signature, the issuers name and address, the
                 recipients names and addresses, intended delivery
                 date and expiration date.

expired:         the state of a packet which expiration date is lower
                 than the current date

issuer:          a person who initially sent a WetMail packet

packet:          an object which is sent through WetMail.  It is usually
                 an envelope with contents, but may be any kind of
                 container

recipient:       the person who is intended to receive a WetMail packet

route:           to move a WetMail packet closer to a recipient

router:          a person who routes a WetMail packet