At 03:01 PM 7/17/99 -0700, you wrote:
>On Sat, Jul 17, 1999 at 04:32:37PM -0400, Gene Marsh wrote:
>> >There are clearly other, higher, priorities. The White Paper, the
>> >Green Paper, the MoU with NTIA all quite clearly state that the
>> >stability of the Internet is the highest priority of all, etc.
>>
>> OK, granted. Now, please detail to me what ICANN is doing to ensure the
>> stability of the Internet?
>
>Making sure that the root server system doesn't collapse because of
>Y2K is the most vivid example, little noted here.
>
>Stability is only the highest of several priorities, in fact.
>Quoting from the MoU -- the actual document that defines ICANN's
>priorities:
>
> 1. Stability
>
> This Agreement promotes the stability of the Internet and allows
> the Parties to plan for a deliberate move from the existing
> structure to a private-sector structure without disruption to the
> functioning of the DNS. The Agreement calls for the design,
> development, and testing of a new management system that will not
> harm current functional operations.
>
> 2. Competition
>
> This Agreement promotes the management of the DNS in a manner that
> will permit market mechanisms to support competition and consumer
> choice in the technical management of the DNS. This competition
> will lower costs, promote innovation, and enhance user choice and
> satisfaction.
>
> 3. Private, Bottom-Up Coordination
>
> This Agreement is intended to result in the design, development,
> and testing of a private coordinating process that is flexible and
> able to move rapidly enough to meet the changing needs of the
> Internet and of Internet users. This Agreement is intended to
> foster the development of a private sector management system that,
> as far as possible, reflects a system of bottom-up management.
>
> 4. Representation.
>
> This Agreement promotes the technical management of the DNS in a
> manner that reflects the global and functional diversity of
> Internet users and their needs. This Agreement is intended to
> promote the design, development, and testing of mechanisms to
> solicit public input, both domestic and international, into a
> private-sector decision making process. These mechanisms will
> promote the flexibility needed to adapt to changes in the
> composition of the Internet user community and their needs.
>
>Note that "representation" is the closest thing to the issue of
>elections, and it doesn't mention them specifically at all. This
>priority is the last listed (note: they *aren't* listed in
>alphabetical order), and that it is couched in terms of the "design,
>development, and testing of mechanisms". Actual implementation of
>those mechanisms is not even mentioned in these principles.
>
>Note # 2 -- promotion of competition. That is precisely the point of
>the work concerning the NSI contract; the registrar accreditation
>guidelines; the matters concerning dispute resolution policies. It
>comes before "representation".
>
>Further down the document several specific tasks are mentioned.
>Number 8 is the relevant one:
>
> 8. Collaborate on the design, development, and testing of
> appropriate membership mechanisms that foster accountability to and
> representation of the global and functional diversity of the
> Internet and its users, within the structure of private- sector DNS
> management organization.
>
>The MoU is the document that most directly describes ICANNs mandate.
>It doesn't mention elections; it doesn't mention the garbage about
>the "interim vs initial" board; it doesn't mention grandiose internet
>governance goals; it doesn't mention individual representation.
>Instead it outlines a number of specific areas, and in fact ICANN is
>working exactly on those areas.
>
>To put it more succintly: ICANN is following its mandate very
>closely, and doing a damn good job under difficult circumstances
>with very limited resources.
>
>--
>Kent Crispin "Do good, and you'll be
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] lonesome." -- Mark Twain
>
>
Kent,
I have no desire to be contentious about the obvious, but I can read the
agreement, too. My question remains unanswered: What is *ICANN* doing to
ensure the stability of the Internet?
I am not making a vain attempt to be flippantly banal, as some on the list
may be prone to do. In fact I agree with your review of what *should* be
the ICANN deliverables. Rather, I am *really* looking for the evidence
that *this* NewCo is providing the value points you note. I certainly had
expectations months ago that ICANN would, indeed, address these issues, and
more.
I retrench to my earlier statement and await address by ICANN: Why has
ICANN ignored their Bylaws and operated in what is, IMHO, an unprofessional
and irresponsible manner?
Gene...
++++++++++
Gene Marsh
president, anycastNET Incorporated
330-699-8106
