IUCG: internal IETF relations and external liaisons
From IUCG - Internet Users Contributing Group
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IETF localization
The IUCG is organized as an IETF General area Mailing List.
Creation of the IUCG
The IUCG was created by Internet lead users (also named "@large") who had joined the IETF/WG-IDNABIS. They had asked if the IDNA target, for the WG, matched their own target of a truly multilinguistic DNS that is equal towards every language (ML-DNS).
The Chair said "no". Therefore, they considered his proposition of a dedicated sub-mailing list in order to discuss this ML-DNS. They came to the conclusion that they needed a different approach for other related matters to also be considered with a user's point of view that they called the "Internet PLUS".
The AD proposed that a group be formed that would liaise with the IAB. This raised the question of the IUCG practical set-up, to be an IETF precaution as a direct source of evolution ideas and information from users. They wanted a quick and formal position of the IESG and IAB on it. Only an appeal could provide such. Therefore, they appealed when the WG-IDNABIS Chair declared off-topic the preservation of interoperability between IDNA and ML-DNS, which was the users' main concern.
(There is no "class appeal" at the IETF. Therefore, the appeal was ported by JFC Morfin, but they were collectively prepared and reviewed).
Response of the IESG
The very questions posed were to know whether the IESG:
- accepted the IUCG concept for the lead users to contribute in their own possible ways,
- preferred the IUCG within or outside of the IETF.
The appeal preparation was friendly and the IESG responses were adequate. They proposed the approach to create the IUCG that was promptly followed.
Response of the IAB
In order to feel useful as an advisory entity, the IUCG needed more cooperative relations with the IAB than just a simple, formal liaison. This meant that the IAB understands the IUCG precautionary role within the IETF and makes it known to the IESG when the IESG does not ask WG-Chairs to consider it.
A short exchange between IAB and IUCG Chair is quoted here before the IAB response. The IUCG understand the lack of an actual answer as a way to call for circumstantial dialogs, and the second part as advice in order to keep in tune with the IAB positions or to concert positions for network and IETF stability.
This indicates that the IAB wants to consider the IUCG as a source of concerted architectural propositions more than a separate source of IETF confusing information. This is perfectly in line with the way in which the IUCG wants to achieve: to present a constructed vision of the users' perspective. It has adapted its Charter accordingly.
The MLTF joins the IUCG
In line with the consequence of the IAB call for a concerted relation, it was advisable to aggregate the MLTF to the IUCG in order to consolidate the relation between the Internet and the Intersem strata that the MLTF is interested in.
Several projects that were associated with the MLTF and france@large will be progressively associated with the IUCG and ATLARGE in order to provide the IETF with access to a comprehensive vision of lead users context.
Material organization
The IUCG.ORG domain name, site, and survey system are supported by the World@large foundation.
