>So basically, I can't really think of anything the IETF can do to encourage people to participate that it's not already doing. Do you have any suggestions? I know that IETF is doing what it can do, but this thread is not about that, it is about ietf-challenges. I suggest if possible that IETF improves in reply/respond to all inputs from participants, that includes all IETF WGs lists/meetings, which I recommend monitored/managed by the IETF WG Chairs, and IETF Area ADs (just first don't ignore, discourage, or leave others to discourage). If you see the statistics pointed from others, there are many drafts contributed to IETF but mostly not gone through to become RFCs, I think they mostly were discouraged more than thinking they were not suitable. I recommend when IETF get the draft that it tries to advise the authors to continue, not just reply that the draft is bad, or please don't continue that. Some authors may think IETF is not a good place for acknowledge or encourage participants that try to contribute, AB