Bill,
It's not the first time I notice that your messages on the IETF discussion list
are either not relevant for everybody, or not interesting for everybody, or not
related to IETF topics (I've just reviewed all your messages from the first
one, dated 17 Oct 2001).
I mean, asking *basic* questions while you could find answers with simple web
searches, and while a [more than] basic knowledge is (should be?) a
pre-requisite to be part of an INTERNET ENGINEERING Task Force discussion, and
so exposing your lack of some basic knowledge, is not - IMHO - a respectful
attitude vis-à-vis all other contributors.
I also mean, starting strange debates (like about OSI), exchanging private
mails through this public list, giving your personal feeling and interpretation
about some topics, talking about proprietary products, etc. is not only
off-topic : it's simply sterile. Once again, while the majority of people here
work (more or less) on the technical improvement of IETF-related stuff - or
simply exchange and confront ideas - this sounds like a lack of respect for the
other contributors.
I finally mean, this is neither an FAQ distribution list where people can ask
any possible basic question to some IETF guru's who like spending (wasting?)
their time repeating the same answers to the same questions, nor a newsgroup
where anybody can expose his own private opinions about any possible matter
more or less related to the Internet or data communication in general.
Of course, this is only my personal opinion (though I know it's similar to
others') and therefore I have to apologize. I must admit that I am close to
consider you as a simple abusing consumer whose contributions on this list do
not bring any added value. Basically, a troll.
I would be very pleased to notice in your next contributions that I am
completely wrong.
E.T.
P.S.: I still believe that THE INTERNET IS FOR EVERYONE.