[gnso-dow123] Initial list of questions regarding purpose

["Jordyn A. Buchanan" <jordyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all:

As we discussed last week, we'll spend some time on tomorrow's call  
attempting to compile a list of questions that we think would be  
helpful in addressing the first two tasks in our new terms are  
references (these are, roughly speaking "define the purpose of Whois"  
and "define the purpose of the various contacts listed in Whois").

There's a difference between "purpose" and "use" of the Whois system,  
but it may be somewhat useful to understand how Whois is used in the  
context of attempting to articulate its purpose.  A significant  
amount of data has been gathered around the use of Whois in the  
past.  Maria is currently compiling that data.  We had a recent  
discussion around the use of Whois on a recent conference call.  I  
will try to sum up that list in the near future.  We can discuss  
tomorrow whether we think it's useful to revisit the question of "how  
Whois is used".  As a starting point for that discussion, here are  
the questions posed by TF2:

1) For each existing data field within the Whois, please provide  
feedback to the task force regarding the following:
1.a) How do members of your constituency make use of the data?
1.b) Is it necessary that this information be made available to  
members of your constituency? If so, why?
1.c) Describe any concerns your constituency may have with making  
this information available.

In addition to questions relating to the use of Whois, we may also  
want to ask specific questions about the purpose of Whois.  Questions  
that come to mind include:

1) What is the purpose of the Whois system?
2) Are you aware of any definitions of the purpose of the Whois system?

Finally, in defining the purpose of the contacts in the Whois system,  
we have the work of the Transfers task force as a starting point.  It  
may be very useful for someone to take a look at (or for us to ask)  
what types of information registrants are putting into these various  
fields.  Do people differentiate between registrants and admin  
contacts?  Who is listed as the tech contact--someone within the  
company or at a service provider?

Jordyn