|> -----Original Message-----
|> From: ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
[mailto:ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org]
|> On Behalf Of John C Klensin
|> Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 12:19 AM
|> To: dassa(_at_)dhs(_dot_)org; 'IETF Discussion'
|> Subject: RE: Excellent choice for summer meeting location!
|> Dassa,
|>
|> For better or worse, we've had a preference for locations
|> close to major airports with significant international connections.
|> We haven't been consistent about it (note, e.g., San Diego),
|> but, unlike that other organization whose name starts with "I"
|> (not IEEE, Glen), we have considered it a really bad thing
|> if most of the attendees have to spend two days getting to
|> and/or from a meeting: turning a five-day meeting into an
|> eight- or nine-day one is really hard on those who have
|> other things to do
|> besides going to meetings. I have no idea how the boondocks
|> of NSW would fall on that criterion, but it is what has kept
|> us near or in fairly major cities.
|>
Hello John
I was being a little tongue in cheek but the suggestion of regional centers
being used is one I pursue for a lot of groups. Living in the country in a
smallish city, a lot of meetings occur in the capitals that I and others
just don't get a chance to attend. I'm sure it would be the same in a lot
of areas. I can understand the issues but the benefits all round may
overcome them. For instance where I live is only an hour flight from
Sydney, you ask, why don't you fly there for meetings and I have to explain,
being in a regional area, the finances available for travel are limited. We
tend to get paid less than equilivant workers in the capitals and companies
out here are less likely to approve spending on non-essential travel. It is
also a fact that connections out in regional areas are often less than
optimal for most people so this has an impact for online participation. It
is only recently I was able to get ADSL at home for instance and operated
for years with a dialup that meant long hours for participation online and I
missed a lot of broadcasts due to downloading constraints.
My suggestion is the IETF considers moving some meetings out to regional
centres within reasonable travel of the major ingress airports in an effort
to promote awareness and participation. Within the States and other
countries, I'm sure there would be some benefits in holding meetings at
cities with populations of 30,000 - 100,000 or so rather than the capitals
and other major cities with populations into the millions.
There are issues with such locations and they may be insurmountable but I
would like to see the idea considered. Given more people making lifestyle
changes that involve moving away from major cities, it may become more
important in the future.
Darryl (Dassa) Lynch
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