#acl Known:read,write All:read

= Welcome! =
Welcome to Http402.Org.  This website describes an open financial transaction system for the Internet.  The goal is to design a suite of protocols, create and submit a RequestForComments document to become an Internet Standard, and create SoftwareImplementations.  The system's first application is payment at websites.

= Motivations =
Here are a few reasons why we should create an open payment system for the Internet:
 * EmpoweringThePoor
 * ReducingIdentityTheft
 * IncreasingGlobalization
 * FreeTheMusicians
 * NewProducts
 * AdultEntertainment
 * CoolSciFiTechnology

= Why HTTP 402? =
The [http://www.w3.org/Protocols/rfc2616/rfc2616.html HTTP protocol] defines the way your web browser talks to websites.  When you go to a website, your computer connects to the web server and sends a GET command.  The server responds with '200 OK' and the web page file that appears on your screen.  If the page doesn't exist, the server responds with '404 Not Found'.  There are many other response codes such as '403 Forbidden' and '401 Unauthorized'.

There is also '402 Payment Required', described as "reserved for future use".  I'm tired of waiting for "the future."  The future is now and the use is clear: to make purchases using your web browser, quickly and safely.

= Contribute your Expertise =
Edit this wiki!  Add information and new ideas.  If you're unfamiliar with MoinMoin wiki software, see HelpForBeginners.

Join the [http://list.http402.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/http402 Discussion Mailing List].  (The mailing list is down since this site moved to a new server.)

Write SoftwareImplementations.

Chat with MichaelLeonhard on IRC in #crypto on [http://freenode.net/irc_servers.shtml Freenode].

= Michael Leonhard's Proposal =
 * LeonhardIntro
 * LeonhardOverview
 * CodeFormat
 * OnlinePaymentProtocol
 * PolyserverTransfers
 * HttpProtocolExtension
 * BrowserPlugins
 * OtherConsiderations

See also: EvaluatingPaymentSystems and ExistingSystems

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This site is maintained by MichaelLeonhard.