Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!PUCC!GETTES From: GETTES@PUCC.BITNET (Michael R. Gettes) Newsgroups: bit.listserv.policy-l Subject: Re: User interface for list postings Message-ID: Date: 5 Feb 90 23:34:11 GMT Sender: Discussion about BITNET policies Reply-To: Discussion about BITNET policies Organization: Princeton University, CIT Network Systems Lines: 23 Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway In-Reply-To: Message of Mon, 5 Feb 90 18:24:34 EST from >1. what services should CREN/BITNET provide to its community of users? But but but but, we cannot decide this. Additionally, I believe we really can't think about this until we here from CREN what direction our network is going in... maybe the board minutes will state this??? I think most of us agree with these concepts. The problem is, there is nowhere to begin. We need a direction -- and we need methods of establishing standards, formalizing ideas, and enforcing policy/standards to move in that direction. >2. CREN should provide leadership in specifying the services and the > interfaces/protocols necessary. Who writes the code to implement > the protocol or meet the interface spec could be anyone - > commercial or volunteer. CREN should facilitate development and > maintenance of such software, and provide the method of > distribution to its members. BINGO! In my opinion, once the aforementioned concerns are dealt with, then this point 2 is right on the money. I do not believe this is a "chicken and egg" problem. I believe we must have the "political" mechanisms in place to properly address and implement the technical mechanisms of the network. /mrg