IETF Discussion List CharterNetAppStenbergintie 12 BKauniainen02700FIlars@eggert.orghttps://eggert.org/mail listmailing listThe Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) discussion mailing list furthers the
development and specification of Internet technology through the general
discussion of technical, procedural, operational, and other topics for which no
dedicated mailing lists exist. As this is the most general IETF mailing list,
considerable latitude in terms of topics is allowed, but there are posts and
topics that are unsuitable for this mailing list. This document defines the
charter for the IETF discussion list and explains its scope.This document obsoletes RFC 3005 and updates RFC 3683.Status of This Memo
This memo documents an Internet Best Current Practice.
This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
(IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has
received public review and has been approved for publication by
the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information
on BCPs is available in Section 2 of RFC 7841.
Information about the current status of this document, any
errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
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Table of Contents
. Introduction
. Charter for the IETF Discussion List
. Moderation
. Security Considerations
. IANA Considerations
. References
. Normative References
. Informative References
Acknowledgements
Authors' Addresses
IntroductionThe IETF discussion list furthers the development and
specification of Internet technology through the general discussion of
technical, procedural, operational, and other topics for which no dedicated
mailing lists exist. As this is the most general IETF mailing list,
considerable latitude in terms of topics is allowed. However, there are posts
and topics that are unsuitable for this mailing list. This document defines the
charter for the IETF discussion list and explains its scope.The IETF Note Well applies to discussions on the IETF discussion
list and all other IETF mailing lists, and requires conformance with the IETF
Guidelines for Conduct and the Anti-Harassment Policy ,
among others.This document obsoletes , as it documents the use of other mailing
lists for discussions that were previously in scope for the IETF discussion list,
refers to applicable policies such as the Guidelines for Conduct
and the Anti-Harassment Policy , and clarifies
moderation procedures. It also updates part of , which
copies the list of "inappropriate postings" from . The list in
is hence updated by the new list in .Charter for the IETF Discussion ListThe IETF discussion list is meant for discussions for which a more appropriate
list does not exist, such as discussions that do not fall within the scope of
any working group, area, or other established list. When there is an existing venue
for discussion, this should be noted and discussion should be moved there.When no dedicated mailing list exists for a topic, it may be preferable to
request that one be created rather than discuss it on
the IETF discussion list. Availability of the new list
may be announced on the IETF discussion list and on other
related lists, such as area lists.Appropriate postings to the IETF discussion list include:
Initial discussion of technical issues that are candidates for IETF work, but
appropriate mailing lists have not yet been identified.
Questions and clarifications concerning practical aspects of IETF meetings,
although most of these topics are better brought up on the discussion list for
IETF LLC administrative issues or the attendee discussion
list for a given IETF meeting.
Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are sponsored or
endorsed by the IETF, IRTF, IAB or the Internet Society, although the IETF
announcement list is the preferred list for these.
Discussions of IETF direction, policy, and the standards process in general,
when a more suitable list (such as the discussion list for IETF LLC
administrative issues , the IAB discussion list for
architectural issues , a meeting attendees list, a
process-oriented WG list, etc.) cannot be identified.
These topics used to be in scope for the IETF discussion list, but have since
moved to dedicated lists:
Last Call discussions of documents now take place on the IETF
Last Calls mailing list .
Discussion of IETF administrative policies now takes place on the discussion
list for IETF LLC administrative issues .
Inappropriate postings include:
Advertising and other unsolicited bulk e-mail
Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings, activities, or
technical topics
Uncivil commentary, regardless of the general subject, per the IETF Note Well
Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not sponsored or
endorsed by the IETF, IRTF, IAB, or the Internet Society.
ModerationThe IETF Chair appoints Moderators (previously known as
the "sergeant-at-arms") for the IETF discussion list that are empowered to
restrict posting by a person, or to an email thread, when the content is
inappropriate and represents a pattern of abuse. They are encouraged to take
into account the overall nature of the postings by an individual and whether
particular postings are typical or an aberration.Moderation of the IETF discussion list, including the handling of any appeals,
is guided by the IETF discussion list charter specified in
, and the related guidance from that applies to all mailing
lists. The moderators are selected from within the community to moderate the community. Because the IESG and IAB are in the appeals
chain for moderator decisions (see below), the IETF Chair therefore should not
appoint a moderator who is serving in such a role. If a moderator is selected
for the IESG or IAB, they will step down from the moderator team.Apart from appointing moderators, the IETF Chair should refrain from the
day-to-day operation and management of the moderator team. The moderator team
will independently define, publish, and execute their role; see the current set
of operating procedures and abuse patterns .
The moderator team should reach out to the
IETF Chair for any conflict resolution in a timely manner.Because a moderator serves at the discretion of the IETF Chair -- even if the
IETF Chair is not otherwise involved in the operation of the moderator team --
any moderator decision can be appealed to the IETF Chair, per
. Decisions by the IETF Chair can be appealed to the IESG as whole,
again per .Security ConsiderationsThe usual security considerations do not apply to this document.Potential abuse of the moderation process for the suppression of undesired
opinions is counteracted by the availability of an appeals process, per
.IANA ConsiderationsThis document does not request any IANA actions.ReferencesNormative ReferencesThe Internet Standards Process -- Revision 3This memo documents the process used by the Internet community for the standardization of protocols and procedures. It defines the stages in the standardization process, the requirements for moving a document between stages and the types of documents used during this process. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.Informative Referencesadmin-discuss -- Discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issuesIETFArchitecture-discuss -- open discussion forum for long/wide-range architectural issuesIABIETF-Announce -- IETF announcement list. No discussions.IETFietf -- IETF-DiscussionIETFlast-call -- IETF Last CallsIETFSergeant-at-Arms Standard Operating ProceduresIETFUnprofessional commentaryIETFNon-Working Group Email List GuidelinesIETFNote WellIETFIETF Discussion List CharterThe Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) discussion mailing list furthers the development and specification of Internet technology through discussion of technical issues, and hosts discussions of IETF direction, policy, meetings, and procedures. As this is the most general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude is allowed. Advertising, whether to solicit business or promote employment opportunities, falls well outside the range of acceptable topics, as do discussions of a personal nature. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.The Tao of IETF - A Novice's Guide to the Internet Engineering Task ForceThis document describes the inner workings of IETF meetings and Working Groups, discusses organizations related to the IETF, and introduces the standards process. This memo provides information for the Internet community.IETF Guidelines for ConductThis document provides a set of guidelines for personal interaction in the Internet Engineering Task Force. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.Guidelines for Writing RFC Text on Security ConsiderationsAll RFCs are required to have a Security Considerations section. Historically, such sections have been relatively weak. This document provides guidelines to RFC authors on how to write a good Security Considerations section. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.A Practice for Revoking Posting Rights to IETF Mailing ListsAll self-governing bodies have ways of managing the scope of participant interaction. The IETF uses a consensus-driven process for developing computer-communications standards in an open fashion. An important part of this consensus-driven process is the pervasive use of mailing lists for discussion. Notably, in a small number of cases, a participant has engaged in a "denial-of-service" attack to disrupt the consensus-driven process. Regrettably, as these bad faith attacks become more common, the IETF needs to establish a practice that reduces or eliminates these attacks. This memo recommends such a practice for use by the IETF. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.IETF Guidelines for ConductThis document provides a set of guidelines for personal interaction in the Internet Engineering Task Force. The guidelines recognize the diversity of IETF participants, emphasize the value of mutual respect, and stress the broad applicability of our work.This document is an updated version of the guidelines for conduct originally published in RFC 3184.IETF Anti-Harassment ProceduresIETF Participants must not engage in harassment while at IETF meetings, virtual meetings, or social events or while participating in mailing lists. This document lays out procedures for managing and enforcing this policy.This document updates RFC 2418 by defining new working group guidelines and procedures. This document updates RFC 7437 by allowing the Ombudsteam to form a recall petition without further signatories.Acknowledgements authored , which this document replaces. In addition
to many technical contributions to the IETF, Susan authored a number of other
foundational documents, such as the original "IETF Guidelines for Conduct"
and the original "Tao of the IETF" . Susan R. Harris
passed away in early 2022. This document is dedicated to her
memory, as a small token of appreciation of her many contributions.The following people have made other contributions to this document: