RE: [gnso-dow123] Initial list of questions regarding purpose

["Marilyn Cade" <marilynscade@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jordyn, I am at the WSIS, so unlikely to be on the call. I expect David
Fares and Sarah Deutsch to be on for the BC.

I'll provide a few thoughts, though, by email.

I am not sure that I agree that it is that simple to divorce the purpose
from use of WHOIS. 

In the interest of starting the TF with a more neutral data gathering
exercise, I would suggest that the same questions from TF2 be sent to the
Constituencies, with an additional question: "Describe any concerns your
constituency has about the lack of availability of this information, and
state why this is a problem?"

I think this balances the data gathered in a more impartial manner. And
updates it. While Constituencies responded just over a year ago, they can
also treat this as an update, and revalidate it. 

Secondly, as to the contacts: I recommend that the constituencies be asked
to provide information about whether different individuals are provided for
these categories. Frankly, I would not be surprised if we found duplication
between some of the categories, since many registrants probably don't know
who they should be listing, unless they are given a functional description
of who to input. 

Finally, I am comfortable with adding a question or two: such as to ask
"what is the purpose of WHOIS, from your constituency, or your individual
perspective?" 

Are there other definitions of WOIS that you recommend that the TF discuss
or take into account?  If yes, please provide here.

"Other comments: (if there is other information or other comments you want
to share with the TF, please provide that information here). " [and provide
space for a qualitative statement by any individual]. 
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gnso-dow123@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-gnso-dow123@xxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf of Jordyn A. Buchanan
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 4:18 PM
To: Whois TF mailing list
Subject: [gnso-dow123] Initial list of questions regarding purpose

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