1. Background

      Links is a web-browser with a text-based interface [1].  In situations
      where X forwarding is not available or practical, it is of great
      utility.  For example, if accessing a remote host on an SSH connection 
      over a low bandwidth connection, this utility would provide the ability
      to provide access to web pages or web applications only available on a 
      private network accessible to the remote host.  The purpose of this 
      proposal is to include links in the SFW consolidation as part of general
      effort to make more open source software available to Solaris users.

      Links is externally maintained Free Open Source Software (FOSS).  Sun's
      role with this project is to port and monitor the open source project.  
      For additional information about the project or originating community, 
      see [1,2,3].  Upstream code changes are not currently needed or 
      anticipated because the project already compiles and runs under Solaris
      and the version being integrated is stable.

      This utility is much like lynx, another FOSS text-based web browser.
      Links supposedly has a superior implementation with fewer blocking
      function calls [2].  This project proposes integrating version 0.99
      of links, although newer versions exist in an active development branch.
      The newer versions adds support for a graphics mode [3] which adds a
      considerable amount of new dependencies not desired for the current
      scope of this project.  There is also something to be said for
      keeping a lightweight web browser lightweight.  A derivate of links 0.96
      called elinks also exists.

      Links is licensed under GPLv2 or later, though Sun will only it
      under version 2.  See OSR #8524 for more information.

      This project requests a minor release binding.


2. Architecture

      Links is a single standalone binary (/usr/bin/links) with few library 
      dependencies, so the program's architecture is very simple in terms of
      how it relates to and integrates with Solaris.  It includes a man page
      that describes command-line parameters and the program's interactive
      interface. (/usr/share/man/man1/links.1)

      The package installs into the standard /usr directory structure and does
      not conflict with any other programs.

      Links uses industry standard protocols (http, https, ftp, proxies) to 
      provide as complete a web experience as possible using only an ascii text
      interface.  As it is a simple utility, it requires no special security
      consideration.  It does not store passwords.


3. Out of Scope

      The only architectural issue that requires ARC review,
      according to the FCL (FOSS Check List) is that links currently does not
      implement IPv6 support.  Adding IPv6 functionality is considered 
      out-of-scope since, currently, Sun is not taking an active role in this
      project, and neither intends to make substantial upstream code changes, 
      nor fork the project.  This does rule out adding IPv6 support at a later
      date.


3. Interfaces & Dependencies

      Links' only requirements are a POSIX environment, OpenSSL 0.9.8 or later
      (for full https functionality), and gcc or libgcc-3.3 or higher [4].  No 
      projects are currently known to depend on links.

  Exported Interfaces:

    Interface Name              Classification      Comments
    --------------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------
    SUNWlinks                   Uncommitted         Package Name
    /usr/bin/links				Uncommitted         Executable location
    /usr/share/man/man1/links.1	Uncommitted         Man page
    links						Uncommitted         Commandline syntax
    
  Imported Interfaces:

    Interface Name              Classification       Comments
    --------------------------- -------------------- --------------------------
	OpenSSL                     Contracted Unstable  PSARC/2003/500/contracts/*TBD*


4. References

 [1] http://links.sourceforge.net
 [2] http://freshmeat.net/projects/links (see Nov 26th 1999 comment)
 [3] http://links.twibright.com (download section)
 [4] http://www.sunfreeware.com/programlistintel10.html#links