as, I am new to the IETF. I would like to contribute any way I can, but the learning curve seems steep indeed. I am from an LCD country. I have the necessary resources but I just don't know where to start. Some guidance would be welcome. I am reading on stuff and hope that one day I will be able to make some meaningful contribution. Nthabiseng Pule On 27 May 2013, at 1:52 PM, Arturo Servin <aservin@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > John, > > Good summary. > > I would add a "steep learning-curve" to start participating. It takes time to get conformable in participating in mailing list and reviewing drafts for I think two reasons. One is to get know how the IETF works, and another to catch-up in knowing the topic in relation with other WG participants. > > About the remote hub I think it would be good to give it a try. > > Regards, > as > > On 27 May 2013, at 02:52, John Levine wrote: > >> I think this is a summary of the issues people have mentioned that >> discourage participation from LDCs, in rough order of importance. >> >> * People aren't aware the IETF exists, or what it does, or that it has >> an open participation model >> >> * People don't read and write English well enough to be comfortable >> participating >> >> * People are unaccustomed to and perhaps uncomfortable expressing >> overt disagreement >> >> * People don't think they have anything to contribute to an organization >> that is mostly people from rich countries >> >> * People don't have adequate Internet access for mail, or to use the >> remote participation tools >> >> I have to say that I don't see one or two meetings in South America >> addressing any of these. Given that the incremental cost to the >> participants, compared to meeting in North America, would likely be on >> the order of a million dollars, it seems to me very likely that there >> are better ways to spend the money. >> >> For example, if language and net access is a problem, it might be >> interesting to set up a remote participation center in B.A. during one >> of the North American meetings (it's one time zone off from Toronto) >> with screens and cameras, paid interpreters, and a few volunteers to >> help explain what's going on. >> >> R's, >> John >