IETF Discussion List Charter

Status of This Memo

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This Internet-Draft will expire on 25 December 2021.¶

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The IETF discussion list [IETF-DISCUSS] furthers the development and specification of Internet technology through the general discussion of topics for which no dedicated mailing lists exists. As this is the most general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude is allowed. However, there are posts that are unsuitable for this mailing list. This document defines the charter for the IETF discussion list and explains its scope.¶

The IETF Note Well [NOTE-WELL] applies to discussions on the IETF discussion list and all other IETF mailing lists, and requires conformance with the IETF Guidelines for Conduct [RFC7154] and the Anti-Harassment Policy [IETF-AHP], among others.¶

2. Charter for the IETF Discussion List

The IETF discussion list is meant for discussions for which a more appropriate list does not exists, such as discussions that do not fall within the area of any working group, area or other established list. When discussions are started on the IETF discussion list for which such venues do exist, they should be moved there as soon as this is pointed out.¶

When no dedicated mailing list exists, it may be preferable to request the creation of one [NON-WG-LISTS] and only announce the availability of the new list on the IETF discussion list and on other related lists, such as area lists.¶

Appropriate postings to the IETF discussion list include:¶

• Initial discussion of technical issues that are candidates for IETF work, but have not yet identified appropriate mailing lists.¶
• Questions and clarifications concerning practical aspects of IETF meetings, although most of these topics are better brought up on the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues [ADMIN-DISCUSS] or the attendee discussion list for a given IETF meeting, such as [IETF110-ATTENDEES] for IETF-110.¶
• Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or the IETF, although the IETF announcement list [IETF-ANNOUNCE] is the preferred list for these.¶

These topics used to be in scope for the IETF discussion list, but have since moved to dedicated lists:¶

• Last Call discussions of proposed protocol actions now take place on the IETF Last Calls mailing list [LAST-CALLS].¶
• Discussion of IETF administrative policies now take place on the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues [ADMIN-DISCUSS].¶

Inappropriate postings include:¶

• Advertising and other unsolicited bulk e-mail¶
• Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings, activities, or technical topics¶
• Unprofessional commentary, regardless of the general subject¶
• Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or the IETF.¶

3. Security Considerations

The IETF Chair, the IETF Executive Director, or a sergeant-at-arms [SAA-SOP] appointed by the Chair is empowered to restrict posting by a person, or of a thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a pattern of abuse [SAA-UPC]. They are encouraged to take into account the overall nature of the postings by an individual and whether particular postings are an aberration or typical. Complaints regarding their decisions should be referred to the IAB.¶

4. IANA Considerations

This document does not request any IANA actions.¶

Appendix A. Acknowledgements

Susan R. Harris authored [RFC3005], which this document replaces.¶

Appendix B. Changes

Author's Address