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From: karn@ka9q.bellcore.com (Phil Karn)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re: What is the IAB?
Message-ID: <23691@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: 29 May 90 18:41:46 GMT
References: <9005291315.AA01112@vax.ftp.com>
Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com
Reply-To: karn@ka9q.bellcore.com (Phil Karn)
Organization: Secular Humanists for No-Code
Lines: 15

I have to agree with Stev Knowles. The IAB/IETF is the *only* standards body
that actually seems to work. I've never seen an important technical decision
made by anyone other than the members of the working group in charge of a
given topic, and anyone with a technical interest is free to join and
contribute.

Perhaps the most important thing about the IAB is its "fly before buy"
policy. For a protocol to reach internet standard status, it must first be
implemented and widely used, and there must be a substantial body of
operational experience.

If only other standards organizations could follow this principle the world
would be a far better place.

Phil