RFC 3184 (rfc3184) - Page 2 of 4
IETF Guidelines for Conduct
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 3184 IETF Guidelines for Conduct October 2001
English is the de facto language of the IETF, but it is not the
native language of many IETF participants. Native English
speakers attempt to speak clearly and a bit slowly and to limit
the use of slang in order to accommodate the needs of all
listeners.
2. IETF participants develop and test ideas impartially, without
finding fault with the colleague proposing the idea.
We dispute ideas by using reasoned argument, rather than through
intimidation or ad hominem attack. Or, said in a somewhat more
IETF-like way:
"Reduce the heat and increase the light"
3. IETF participants think globally, devising solutions that meet the
needs of diverse technical and operational environments.
The goal of the IETF is to maintain and enhance a working, viable,
scalable, global Internet, and the problems we encounter are
genuinely very difficult. We understand that "scaling is the
ultimate problem" and that many ideas quite workable in the small
fail this crucial test. IETF participants use their best
engineering judgment to find the best solution for the whole
Internet, not just the best solution for any particular network,
technology, vendor, or user. We follow the intellectual property
guidelines outlined in BCP 9.[2]
4. Individuals who attend Working Group meetings are prepared to
contribute to the ongoing work of the group.
IETF participants who attend Working Group meetings read the
relevant Internet-Drafts, RFCs, and e-mail archives beforehand, in
order to familiarize themselves with the technology under
discussion. This may represent a challenge for newcomers, as e-
mail archives can be difficult to locate and search, and it may
not be easy to trace the history of longstanding Working Group
debates. With that in mind, newcomers who attend Working Group
meetings are encouraged to observe and absorb whatever material
they can, but should not interfere with the ongoing process of the
group. Working Group meetings run on a very limited time
schedule, and are not intended for the education of individuals.
The work of the group will continue on the mailing list, and many
questions would be better expressed on the list in the months that
follow.
Harris Best Current Practice