Proxy/Representation?

[John Lull]

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.