Brett, there are no current submissions listed anywhere in response to the topics/questions... The following missive is supplied to you all to hopefully clarify a few points regarding what the ALAC IDN-WG and the IDNC-WG need as input on the matters of fast track IDNs and IDN ccTLDs by who and when, as there appears to be some minor confusion. In relation to comments from the Internet User Community regarding the introduction of IDNs, there are in fact two parallel areas ALAC and its IDN-WG are soliciting input for... 1. And input into the Fast Track proposal issue being worked on by the IDNC-WG, based upon a set of proposed topics:-currently in draft form, which will be finalised based on comments *ON this list of topics*, after the Jan 16th deadline. 2. The general topic of Introduction of IDN ccTLDs as per http://www.icann.org/public_comment/#idn-cctld-issues with a 25th Jan deadline. The points Hong posted to these lists relates specifically to the first matter and that has the deadline of Jan 16th... they are a Synopsis or list of issues that the ccNSO-idncctld list is (the IDNC-WG) is wishing to look at so far... The WG list Hong mentioned and listed below is the one that the IDNC-WG committee uses and is subscription to nominated Member only... We do however actively seek input from the ALAC IDN-WG, and most particularly the RALOs and their ALSs on these topics (note again please, this list constitutes the majority of topics {if not all of them} expected to be in the final list) so the At-Large community can use this list as an advance set of topics, upon which to begin their comments and replies to (and indeed if you have any additional topics to suggest, now is the time to let Hong and I know, so that we can forward them to the IDNC-WG before January 16th ... As Hong stated in her earlier email it is extremely important that we collect and collate the views of the At-Large Community regarding these topics, so that these views (even if the view or response is we have no comment on this matter) can be collated and contributed to the IDNC-WG processes... These processes include the preparation by end of January of an interim report, for the end of January and use of this list in a proactive manner will indeed facilitate our input on behalf of the At-Large Community contribute to these processes and be a way of preparing for our contributions to the Public Comment period on this interim report which includes:- Public workshop at ICANN meeting in New Delhi and the Meeting IDNC WG at New Delhi meeting during February... Note please that once the consolidated topics list is prepared by the committee after January 16th, that will be a document which we can distribute. The ALAC IDN-WG Chair and Hong as our IDN Liaison were asked to specifically look at these topics and it was felt at this months ALAC meeting that to better elicit reply and reaction from the RALOs, ALS,s and the At-Large Community, in a timely manner (via the representatives Hong and myself into the IDNC-WG); starting work based upon this draft list of topics was well worthwhile... n.b. all background information on the ALAC IDN-WG and Liaison work and reports so far, is found here https://st.icann.org/idn-policy/index.cgi?at_large_idn_policy including the calls for input into the fast track processes issues work of the IDNC-WG in Hongs December and January Reports to the ALAC) and the ALAC meeting transcriptions and minutes also cover off our discussions as well... Fatimata, as the new Chair of the ALAC IDN-WG along with Hong as liaison will also wish to work on response and formal comment into the Public comment process (Item 2. above) and it is that which Fatimata referenced earlier (note the ALAC via its IDN-WG, as well as the RALOs, ALSs and At-Large can also respond to this public comment process directly, if they wish but the IDN-WG needs to develop any statements for ALAC to consider. And as you will have noted the ALAC IDN-WG has recently been discussing mechanisms for a background briefing to facilitate its efforts on all its activities... In response to Mohameds email earlier today requesting ´ Can Sheryl and Hong as ALAC representatives in the IDNC forward the documents presented for comments/feedback to the ALAC IDN WG, in order that ALAC IDN WG to discuss the issues and provide ALAC comments which will be presented to the IDNC by our representatives. Please refer to some of my information provided above, and use what Hong posting on Jan 8th as the reference point to begin your outreach processes from (I have included it again below) as it lists the draft list of topics (generated by the IDNC-WG) that comments and feedback are no doubt going to be requested on, for input into the IDNC-WG (point 1 above). < snip from Hongs earlier email> On December 14, 2007, CCNSO published the IDNC working group charter <http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/idnc-charter.htm> http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/idnc-charter.htm . A "Topic list for Initial Report on introduction IDN ccTLD under fast track" was circulated in the working group list at the same time. The scope of the IDNC WG is limited to developing feasible methods (for the introduction of a limited number of IDN ccTLDs) that do not pre-empt the outcomes of the IDN ccPDP. A list of topics is drafted to form the structure of discussion on the mechanisms of fast-track implementation. Comment and input are sought on the relevance of the topics listed and whether there are additional topics. Comments need to be received by 16 January {back to the IDNC-WG regarding the TOPICS LIST---CLO inserted text for explanation}. So far, comments on the chair of the working group, working process and nature of fast track approach have been sent to the list. The comments may be on 2 specific mechanisms: 1. A mechanism for the selection of the IDN ccTLD string; Topics: o What are the requirements regarding the status of the script/language in the territory to be used in the IDN ccTLD string? o Is there a limit to the number of scripts per territory to be used as an IDN ccTLD under the fast track approach? Should it be limited to one (1) per territory or some other number? o Who should be able to propose a string for the territory? o Who is required to endorse a string once proposed? o What are the criteria for such a string to be acceptable under the fast track (for example: meaningful representation in a selected script of the name of the territory or recognized abbreviation as listed on ISO 3166 -1) o Will a proposed string be 'evaluated' against criteria? If so, who will the 'evaluator' be and who will appoint them? o Assuming a string and script are selected in accordance with proposed criteria, should there be an objection procedure? If so, who should be eligible to object? On what grounds? What is the impact of an objection (for example non-eligibility under fast track)? 2. A mechanism to designate an IDN ccTLD manager Topics: o Should any criteria specific to IDNs be taken into consideration for the designation of an IDN ccTLD manager? o Are there any specific requirements regarding the technical and operational readiness of the eligible IDN ccTLD manager? o Should there be a proven track record for running a TLD operationally? o Should the eligible entity have experience (operationally or experimentally) with running IDN in the relevant script at the second and /or higher levels? o Should adherence to the IDNA protocol and related requirements be ensured? How should this be ensured? o Is the registration policy of the IDN ccTLD relevant in relation to the IDNA protocols and related requirements? If so how is adherence to such required policy ensured? <end snip from Hongs earlier email> And it is worthy to note in addition to what Hong included in her email on the 8th, regarding the Fast Track work of the IDNC-WG that the following points made in the IDNC-WG Charter The scope of the IDNC WG is limited to developing feasible methods (for the introduction of a limited number of IDN ccTLDs) that do not pre-empt the outcomes of the IDN ccPDP. In considering feasible methods the IDNC WG should take into account and be guided by: The overarching requirement to preserve the security and stability of the DNS; Compliance with the IDNA protocols; Input and advice from the technical community in respect to the implementation of IDNs; Current practices for the delegation of ccTLDs. I do hope this rather wordy reply from me, (OK Im often wordy J), has clarified a few things for everyone and will assist the ALAC IDN-WG begin its important policy development processes, in a timely and proactive manner, on these topics... I am particularly keen to also hear from each RALO Secretariat (this can go to the IDN-WG) as well as individuals and ALSs regarding this topic. Let me know if I can assist further... And do let me know if a IDN-WG call is set up so if at all possible I can join it... CLO From: idn-wg-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org [mailto:idn-wg-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of Bret Fausett Sent: Thursday, 10 January 2008 6:39 AM To: idn-wg@atlarge-lists.icann.org Cc: ALAC & Secretariats Internal Subject: Re: [IDN-WG] CCNSO IDNC WG IDN Topic List on Introduction of ccTLD under fast-track Thanks, Nick. A briefing would be very helpful. In the short term though, I simply need pointers to the materials that Hong referenced. If the current submissions on the questions posted are published somewhere, where are they published? Hong says the email address for the WG is ccnso-idncctld@icann.org, but I can't seem to find the registration page or the archives of that list. Can you share that? If the list archives are not public, could someone who is currently subscribed (Hong or Fatimata or Cheryl?) pass the current submissions to this list so I can read them? Many thanks, Bret