[db-wg] Suggestion for more user-friendly auto-dbm behaviour

After a long period of not dealing with the RIPE database,
I'm getting around to some overdue housekeeping.

I've been surprised at how unfriendly the interface is.

The following suggestions arise from this experience.

First suggestion ...

> ***Warning: Invalid keyword(s) found: Update
> ***Warning: All keywords were ignored

It could be more clearly put, that this refers only to the 'Subject'
line.  Why not replace the text, "All keywords were ignored" with
"Entire subject line was ignored".

Second suggestion ...

> ***Error: Required attribute "netname" is missing
> ***Error: Required attribute "country" is missing
> ***Error: Required attribute "status" is missing
> ***Error: Required attribute "mnt-by" is missing

I didn't wish to modify any of these just now.

Why not proceed as follows:
	1. Load (partial) object from transaction.
	2. Retrieve matching object (if any) from database.
	3. Perform go/no-go tests (authorization, validity ...)
	4. Merge transaction with what was retrieved (may be null).
	5. Perform any completeness/self-consistency tests.
	6. Commit update unless errors were found.
	7. Notify parties involved.

That should be worth at least EUR 0.02!
I'll send on the invoice. 8-)

Niall O'Reilly