December 2007 - At-Large - lists.icann.org

Venue Accessibility
by Evan Leibovitch Jan. 10, 2008

Jan. 10, 2008

Hello everyone, We've now found out that the hotels used for the Delhi ICANN meeting are outlandishy expensive: http://del.icann.org/hotels (BTW, the main conference location is IIRC the Taj Palace. Where is ALAC being put?) This has raised a question that has been bothering me for a while... It's one thing for ICANN to claim to want public participation; but is its process really accessible when locations are chosen that are so expensive? When was the last time that "cost to attend" was a factor when choosing an ICANN meeting venue? The Delhi venue may be inexpensive to those who live within India, but seemingly prohibitive to anyone else who's neither subsidized nor on an expense account. Even as a regional venue, that seems mind-bogglingly expensive. I ask, in part, because of the Summit and the need to have a venue (or perhaps ongoing ones) to which we can bring many people together for as little cost as possible. It would serve ICANN's financial interests -- not to mention those of attendees -- if at least one meeting per year was scheduled at a location that had a) a major air hub b) somewhat reasonable hotel rates (ie, not $450/night!) c) fairly flexible entry policies for attendees (preferably visa-free from many countries) (Thankfully -- by coincidence of timing -- Paris seems close to meeting those criteria. Arguably, LA was inexpensive and a major hub -- but as a last-minute venue, advance planning for it was difficult, as was getting visas for some.) As At-Large is the body charged with promoting public participation in ICANN, perhaps this (financial accessibility of meetings) is an issue of interest to us. Well, if it's not an issue to _us_, it certainly won't be an issue to gold-card constituency reps, or those who go at ICANN's expense to every meeting no matter how costly. In the case of the Summit, there is also a matter of keeping costs down for ICANN. I would hope that in moving forward -- if there is eventual wisdom seen in having the Summit as a biennial event -- that the target city be chosen for its accessibility to travellers. We owe it to those who are not completely subsidized -- as well as to potential outside Summit sponsors -- to deliberately choose financially accessible venues for these events. However, I don' t want to limit this as a Summit issue since the matter of accessibility should not only be an occasional concern. What does anyone else here think? Is this an At-Large issue? I'm rather surprised that it hasn't been raised before; perhaps one reason is because ALAC itself is always shielded from the financial inaccessibility of meetings. However, the ALSs and public that it supposedly leads and represents, on the whole, have no such luxury. - Evan (And, yes, I'm aware of teleconferencing and other mass participation mechanisms. But you all know that some of the real power brokering and alliance-building doesn't happen at formal meetings. While podcasts and such are important tools, they're no substitute for face-to-face.)

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How can would-be ALSs contact us?
by Wendy Seltzer Jan. 3, 2008

Jan. 3, 2008

The email address, committee(a)alac.icann.org, is listed on the ALAC site: <http://www.alac.icann.org/> "To contact the ALAC send an email to committee(a)alac.icann.org." Unfortunately, when I try to email it, I get a "user unknown" response. While I know ALAC is largely unknown to the outside world, I would hope we at least have a working address toward which to point newcomers. Thanks, --Wendy -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Undelivered Mail Returned to Sender Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:12:47 -0500 (EST) From: MAILER-DAEMON(a)mail.seltzer.org (Mail Delivery System) To: wendy(a)seltzer.org This is the mail system at host mail.seltzer.org. I'm sorry to have to inform you that your message could not be delivered to one or more recipients. It's attached below. For further assistance, please send mail to postmaster. If you do so, please include this problem report. You can delete your own text from the attached returned message. The mail system <committee(a)alac.icann.org>: host pechora.icann.org[208.77.188.38] said: 550 5.1.1 <committee(a)alac.icann.org>... User unknown (in reply to RCPT TO command) -- Wendy Seltzer -- wendy(a)seltzer.org Visiting Professor, Northeastern University School of Law Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html http://www.chillingeffects.org/ https://www.torproject.org/

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AAAA records to be added for root servers
by Barbara Roseman Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2007

apologies for cross-posting... On 4 February 2008, IANA will add AAAA records for the IPv6 addresses of the four root servers whose operators have requested it. A technical analysis of inserting IPv6 records into the root has been done by a joint working group of ICANN's Root Server System Advisory Committee and Security and Stability Advisory Committee, a report of which can be found at http://www.icann.org/committees/security/ sac018.pdf. Network operators should take whatever steps they feel appropriate to prepare for the inclusion of AAAA records in response to root queries. More information will be posted to the IANA web site during January. Regards, Barbara Roseman IANA General OperationsManager ICANN

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Proposal
by Roberto Gaetano Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2007

This discussion about meetings has triggered an idea. The meeting in Paris is scheduled to start on the 22. June. The 21. June (the solstice day) is in France the "Fête de la Musique" (the "Music Festival"), aka. "Faites de la Musique" ("Do some Music"), as the prononciation in French of the two expressions is the same. Traditionally, it is the day in which amateur musicians play in the streets. You hear music everywhere, and the athmosphere is very exciting. Although there are professional musicians also involved, it is really the party of the people who might never play in a professional role in the music industry, but that just enjoy getting together and "doing it". Anyway, I am sure that Sébastien Bachollet can give more details than I do. To me, this is a sort of what ALAC is for the Internet: the rank and file, the enthusiasts who volounteer to participate, rather than the professionals. And an idea came to my mind. Why don't we organize, during the meeting week, an ICANN music evening, where all those who want to play and sing join in a show? At first sight, it looks like a crazy idea, but I am sure that if you think about it, you might start believing that it might work think at a group of african percussions organized by AFRALO, some oriental music coming from APRALO, a jazz combo from NARALO, tangos, bossas and salsa from LACRALO, other groups from EURALO. Of course, also open to other constituencies and staff maybe an alternative to the sport event? Cheers, Roberto PS: back to the initial subject, FYI there are at least three bids for the African meeting in late 2008, staff is already doing good diligence, I would hope for a decision in January. Indeed, we are less than a year from the event, and it is already too late wrt the standard proposed by Evan, but at least I want to give you the information that things are well underway, and ICANN is not just waiting for something to happen.

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Bulgarian Group Challenges IDN ccTLD Policy
by Grigor Gatchev Dec. 27, 2007

Dec. 27, 2007

(In reply to Veni's post in this thread) Veni, I don't agree with you. Here is why: "lots of criticism by the well known experts" - that is, 2 or 3 persons in their blogs (most against the IDNs in principle), while many others approved or were neutral. "They do not provide a good service right now" - should be "their TLDs are not supported by the ICANN root servers, so not everybody has resolving for them". That is what we are applying for, eventually. "(the Bulgarian .info domain) contains the same characters as in Russian, Mongolian, Macedonian, Serbian etc.". Like the English .info domain contains the same characters as in any other language that uses Latin alphabet. Also, 3 out of its 4 letters are depicted differently than in any other alphabet I am aware of - so, the ".py" against ".ру" problem is impossible. About the arguments of Daniel: "Even if some of the restrictions in place are not popular, they in fact reflect the reality in Bulgaria and the constraints by existing laws and common practices." - No laws or common practice in BG require these restrictions; Veni has pointed this many times, and assembled protests because of it. The price of a .bg domain is $52, and it takes 1 to 3 months and lots of paperwork to get one (.com/.net/.org is $7 in BG, and takes 10 seconds to get one). (http://www.bol.bg/protest/protest_e.htm) (http://bg.linux-bg.org) "The quoted numbers are however wrong, with BG registrations underestimaed and non-BG registrations exagerated." - We stand by our numbers. (http://georgi.unixsol.org/bg/) "Register.BG is well prepared to implement Bulgarian IDN TLD, both technically and in with proper policy to encourage mass deployment." - We have already proven our ability and preparation. Sincerely, Grigor Gatchev Uninet vice-chairman

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
by Veronica Cretu Dec. 26, 2007

Dec. 26, 2007

Dear At Large Colleagues and Members! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Moldova!!! The second half of year 2007 has been very unique and special for me as I joined ALAC ... unique, because ICANN and At Large are unique: with wonderful people and with great experiences and expertise in various fields. It is a platform that gives everyone the opportunity to share, learn, act, react, elaborate, implement and simply DO things that are in turn important for the end-users community! Many thanks for ICANN Staff and for At Large Members - ithas been a great honor to be part of this community and I look forward for much more in the coming year! Thank you all for your extraordinary support and contribution! With Warmest wishes for the New Year! As ever, Veronica Cretu Veronica Cretu President, "CMB" Training Center Chisinau, Moldova www.cmb.md [http://mail.diplomacy.edu/WorldClient.dll?Session=NIGDJQN&View=Compose-Atta…] www.cmb.md/igf [http://mail.diplomacy.edu/WorldClient.dll?Session=NIGDJQN&View=Compose-Atta…] ICANN At Large Advisory Committee Member from Eastern Europe

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Bulgarian Group Challenges IDN ccTLD Policy
by Danny Younger Dec. 24, 2007

Dec. 24, 2007

http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/12/18/3416813.html Adding to the growing questions about the wisdom of giving incumbent country code registries a "fast track" to new IDN top level domains, a Bulgarian registrar has sent a letter to ICANN claiming that it should receive the new TLD rather than the current country code manager. The Bulgarian company, UNINET, has already launched a local version of '.áã' -- see http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=86755 -- and claims that it resolves in Bulgaria through many "DNS patches" supported by national Internet service providers. UNINET criticizes the policies, prices and sluggishness of the Bulgarian ccTLD administrator (Register.bg), which has registered only 7500 names after more than 12 years of operation. In contrast, Bulgarians have registered around 180,000 domains in generic TLDs such as .com, .net, .org and .info a clear indication of the inadequacy of the current ccTLD manager in meeting the needs of the local market. Whatever the merits of UNINETs desire to be first in line for a "fast track" Bulgarian IDN domain, their letter underscores how wrong it is to assume that the existing ccTLD managers deserve a special right to be the first occupants of the IDN space. UNINET points out correctly, we think that "if ICANN awards Register.bg the IDN "áã'" TLD, the market for Bulgarian script names may become a monopoly controlled by Register.bg since the market for Bulgarian names worldwide is rather small and needs only one or a few Bulgarian TLDs." The same would be true of many other national and linguistic markets. IDN top level domains should be awarded as part of a generic process in which all applicants are equal and are evaluated by the same rules. And competition policy, one of ICANN's prime directives, should play a role in deciding who gets what. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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For consumers: Ten tips when choosing a registrar
by Brendler, Beau Dec. 22, 2007

Dec. 22, 2007

Please note that Consumer Reports WebWatch will be publishing the attached document on its sites in the next few days. We worked with Dave Piscitello of the SSAC and with Nick, then Dave worked with Kieran of ICANN staff before sending the document to me. In turn, I edited it for content, but made few changes. It was Dave's idea to do this and I think the results are great. You'll see it linked from http://www.consumerwebwatch.org http://blog.consumerwebwatch.org/ ...towards the end of the week. If any of you want to duplicate it or use it on your own sites, WebWatch doesn't mind and I'm sure Dave won't either. Though he does pride himself on his writing so you should retain the credits. We'll see what feedback we get and maybe we can get some wider distribution for it. Beau Brendler, director Consumer Reports WebWatch brenbe(a)consumer.org

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ICANN Board meeting: Dec 18
by Wendy Seltzer Dec. 22, 2007

Dec. 22, 2007

The ICANN Board will meet tomorrow (late evening US Eastern time), The Board Agenda for the Special Meeting of the Board (as set by the Executive Committee on 11 December 2007): 1) Approval of Minutes for 20 November 2007 Special Board Meeting – Preliminary Report is posted publicly @ http://www.icann.org/minutes/prelim-report-20nov07.htm 2) Discussion of .TEL Contractual Amendment – Possible Board Action 3) Discussion of ICANN Strategic Plan July 2008 – June 2011 4) Update on New gTLD Process 5) Discussion of Joint Project Agreement with the NTIA 6) Discussion of ICANN Accountability and Transparency Frameworks and Principles Document (Management Operating Principles) 7) Discussion of Supporting IPv6 in the Root Server System 8) Update on Formation of BGC’s ALAC Review Working Group 9) Discussion of President/CEO’s Report for November 2007 10) Discussion of President/CEO’s Performance Review Goals 11) Whois Conflict of National Laws Procedure 12) Update on Czech Arbitration Court UDRP Application 13) Other Business Agenda posted at <http://www.icann.org/minutes/> Most of these are informational items, from which I will report back any new information on which the At Large may wish to express its opinion. Did the ALAC want to share its AGP report to the GNSO with the Board as well? Shall I raise the Transparency concerns in the document Bret began? <https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi?alac_comments_on_accountability_and_tra…> --Wendy -- Wendy Seltzer -- wendy(a)seltzer.org Visiting Professor, Northeastern University School of Law Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html http://www.chillingeffects.org/ https://www.torproject.org/

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Venue Accessibility
by Evan Leibovitch Dec. 20, 2007

Dec. 20, 2007

Hello everyone, We've now found out that the hotels used for the Delhi ICANN meeting are outlandishy expensive: http://del.icann.org/hotels (BTW, the main conference location is IIRC the Taj Palace. Where is ALAC being put?) This has raised a question that has been bothering me for a while... It's one thing for ICANN to claim to want public participation; but is its process really accessible when locations are chosen that are so expensive? When was the last time that "cost to attend" was a factor when choosing an ICANN meeting venue? The Delhi venue may be inexpensive to those who live within India, but seemingly prohibitive to anyone else who's neither subsidized nor on an expense account. Even as a regional venue, that seems unreasonable. I ask, in part, because of the Summit and the need to have a venue (or perhaps ongoing ones) to which we can bring many people together for as little cost as possible. It would serve ICANN's financial interests -- not to mention those of attendees -- if at least one meeting per year was scheduled at a location that had a) a major air hub b) somewhat reasonable hotel rates (ie, not $450/night!) c) fairly flexible entry policies for attendees (preferably visa-free from many countries) (Thankfully -- by coincidence of timing -- Paris seems close to meeting those criteria. Arguably, LA was inexpensive and a major hub -- but as a last-minute venue, advance planning for it was difficult, as was getting visas for some.) As At-Large is the body charged with promoting public participation in ICANN, perhaps this (financial accessibility of meetings) is an issue of interest to us. Well, if it's not an issue to _us_, it certainly won't be an issue to gold-card constituency reps, or those who go at ICANN's expense to every meeting no matter how costly. In the case of the Summit, there is also a matter of keeping costs down for ICANN. I would hope that in moving forward -- if there is eventual wisdom seen in having the Summit as a biennial event -- that the target city be chosen for its accessibility to travellers. We owe it to those who are not completely subsidized -- as well as to potential outside Summit sponsors -- to deliberately choose financially accessible venues for these events. However, I don' t want to limit this as a Summit issue since the matter of accessibility should not only be an occasional concern. What does anyone else here think? Is this an At-Large issue? I'm rather surprised that it hasn't been raised before; perhaps one reason is because ALAC itself is always shielded from the financial inaccessibility of meetings. However, the ALSs and public that it supposedly leads and represents, on the whole, have no such luxury. - Evan (And, yes, I'm aware of teleconferencing and other mass participation mechanisms. But you all know that some of the real power brokering and alliance-building doesn't happen at formal meetings. While podcasts and such are important tools, they're no substitute for face-to-face.)

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