MessageBox: An On-Demand Message Delivery Service

We propose a new message delivery service called MessageBox. The service allows the writer of the message to provide on-demand message delivery using email to a list of readers. The writer specifies the list of authorized readers; such readers may request email delivery of the message at their convenience. Simple security mechanisms thwart unauthorized readers. We describe three applications of MessageBox service: subscription newsletter, travel registry, and group password distribution. MessageBox offers improvements over the conventional versions of these services. MessageBox Newsletter Service reduces the volume of “junk” email to subscribers. MessageBox Travel Registry offers more privacy to travelers, while providing more information to their friends. MessageBox Password Service conveniently accomodates frequent password changes and infrequent password users. MessageBox is feasible with today’s technology. We present an example implementation, for which the World-Wide Web is one natural vehicle.