There are abundant examples of successful document editors and authors
and the occasional area director working at a distance, some cases are
harder than others.
The part that is hard to replace is, the opportunity for collegiality,
for cross pollination, and many fine lunches and dinners.
Working group participants are free to do what they want of course.
On 9/28/12 12:22 AM, Alessandro Vesely wrote:
Dear IETF,
I'm happy that Meetecho is gradually improving our remote
participation experience. However, as a matter of fact, that is still
not quite the same thing as in person participation.
Question: Consider a WG which is really in need of a face to face
meeting. A very important participant, such as the editor of the main
WG document, however, would only participate remotely, because he is
an independent consultant and lacks specific funds. Can the WG --in
such case-- set up some arrangements, e.g. take a collection up from
the other participants, or anything to a similar effect? Are there
provisions or limitations?
IMHO, participation of individuals and small businesses is not less
important than that of newcomers from emerging and developing economies.
TIA for any hint.
Ale
-------- Original Message --------
From: Steve Conte <conte@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:34:02 -0700
To: Alessandro Vesely <vesely@xxxxxxx>
Cc: Leaders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Public Software Mailing List
<pubsoft@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: The Internet Society Fellowship to the IETF
Dear Mr. Vesely,
Thank you for your email regarding the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF
Programme. This specific programme is designed to increase IETF
participation from emerging and developing economies.
The IETF has tools in which to participate remotely. We encourage
those who are not able to physically attend an IETF meeting to utilize
those tools so as to remain active in their participation.
Sincerely,
Steve Conte
On Sep 5, 2012, at 4:38 AM, Alessandro Vesely <vesely@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear ISOC,
one of the points for qualifying for the programme is:
Originate from and reside in a emerging or developing economy,
which traditionally have low rates of participation in the IETF.
http://www.internetsociety.org/node/9476
I understand the intent and the limits of the programme, but I also
notice that the IETF "works for those who pay its members."[1] That
fact may imply unwanted consequences, as far as free development (free
as in "free speech") of open standards is concerned. Do you address
such topic on the ISOC web site?
For example, I know the case of a guy who is the editor of a standard
specification within a IETF working group, but doesn't participate to
IETF meetings because he has no funds for that. He is an US citizen,
hence does not qualify for the programme because of the point quoted
above. Indeed, that situation is quite frequent for small companies
and individuals. Wouldn't it be possible to widen the participation,
for the sake of a democratic development of the Internet?
Thanks for your attention
Sincerely
AV
[1] JFC Morfin - Mon Sep 3 16:20:27 PDT 2012
[PubSoft] OpenStand and "modern" paradigms
https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/pubsoft/2012-September/002307.html