On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 11:04 PM, Arturo Servin <arturo.ser...@gmail.com>wrote:
> > I have been lurking IETF for many years, but it was only after I > went > to my first meeting that I really understood how the IETF worked and how > to really participate. > > After that meeting I started to send comments, read drafts, writing > some initial stuff and arguing. Before that meeting I didn't know how to > do it, and how good or bad my comments would be received. I think it > might be cultural, but before my first meeting I felt a bit intimidated > by the ietf and being flamed by a bad comment. > > I didn't stop feeling intimidated after the first meeting, it took > me a > bit more but definitely it helped me to understand the ietf, its > community and how to participate. > > I wouldn't be surprised if it were many people just like I was, > lurking > the email lists but have never sent anything for the same reasons that I > did. > +1 Couple more obesrevations: 1. I was lurking on the mailing list for sometime before I could get enough context to even comment. Also much of the content in IETF is trapped in people's heads. Even after reading the drafts on tools/datatracker AND following the mailing lists, sometimes it may not be clear why the design decisions have been made. The archived mailing list format (that can sometimes help) is not pretty to read or follow. There is not much that can be dome about it. It is just the nature of email communication. This is especially true if the area is adjunct (to your domain knowledge) or somewhat new to you. 2. The directness of communication can be jarring for people from some cultures where deference and politeness are more important that being right. The fact that several Asians are contributing to IETF means that this barrier can be overcome. But it is harder when you do not know anyone whom you can connect to. Maybe some handholding / mentoring (even remotely) might help. There are unfortunately no easy answers for both 1 & 2. -- Vinayak
