I clearly remember the first IETF meeting I attended back in December 1992 (in Washington DC). During the plenary (bad timing on my part) I mentioned the desirability of being able to consult with our corporations' before taking important votes, err, I should have to written "loud hummings". Shortly thereafter, I found myself surrounded by maybe 12 angry people, some of them intimidatingly large, who reiterated the abuse I had just publicly endured for my comment, but this time doing it up close and personal. For the uninitiated, Brian's point below pretty much summarizes the way things are OFFICIALLY in the IETF. The IETF has every right to assert that attendees represent only themselves while participating in IETF functions. This is a noble goal that should be cherished. Unfortunately, the news media, the "average" readers of trade rags, and the policies of many companies (including my employer) often have a very different understanding: we represent our companies in any public, technical forum paid for by our employer, regardless of whether that forum chooses to recognize our representation or not. The extent by which our activities and public statements are tailored by this representation varies considerably from company to company, even in the IETF, despite the noble principles by which the IETF is run. However, even those who are unencumbered by such oversight and policies are hopefully not so naive as to believe that their decorum and the quality of their participation does not reflect on their employer. -----Original Message----- From: Brian E Carpenter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 8:38 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Can employers forbid you from talking about IETF activities? As far as I can see, IETF participants are only bound by IETF rules when they are participating in IETF activities. Brian
