🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello Nathaniel and Peter -- 

The MMM work in IFIP WG 6.5 that I want to promote is work that is
beyond the reach of the current standards process.  I have no interest
(and I hope no one else does either) in doing anything to slow down or
hinder the current standards process that is producing what you want.  

What I don't want to do with regard to further work, is hold it back
within the current standards process.  What I am advocating is that some
people with interests beyond the current standards process and action
move beyond that process and do some pre-standards research work on what
might be worth doing next, after the current standards process delivers
on its current work items.  

I do not see any conflict.  By analogy, it is like when IFIP WG 6.5
worked on DIRECTORY while CCITT worked on MHS.  IFIP stopped work on
DIRECTORY as soon as CCITT/ISO took up the question.  

So, IFIP WG 6.5 holds open the door to do pre-standards work in the
international arena, with the first goal of not interfering in the
current ongoing standards process, and with the second goal of
contributing positive IFIP WG 6.5 results at some future time if useful
results can be developed.  

The only guidance that IFIP WG 6.5 wants to apply will be to assure that
the work that is started is clearly well beyond the current standards
process goals, and that the work should not discourage ongoing standards
progress or generate expectations of conflicting technology development.

A major point to be made here is that this new pre-standards work should
be done in an atmosphere that is free from the short term constraints on
active standards work items.  It should not have any deadlines for
delivery and should not seek to lobby the current standards activity.
On the other hand, it must operate in a totally open atmosphere with
free distribution of its documents to whomever may be interested.  

I expect much of the work to be done via netmail, with infrequent
face-to-face meetings scheduled when members of the MMM SubGroup find
themseleves conveniently close together.  

Our only time line will be tied to our plans for another IFIP WG 6.5
Working Conference in Vancouver in 1992, when we would hope to see some
papers and presentations on MMM SubGroup results.  We also look forward
to another WG Working Conference in 1994 somewhere in Europe.  

And somewhere in 1996.  Best...\Stef