Re: "Stuckees?"

[Jari Arkko <jari.arkko@lmf.ericsson.se>]

Steven Bellovin wrote:

> :-)  But I think that too many other posters are lacking a sense of
> humor (or perhaps their bosses are....).
You are probably right. But remember that the job title discussion
applies only in the external world. Inside the IETF, we don't have to
be so humorless. In particular, we at the wgchairs list can use the
real job titles in the discussions. With that in mind, I have
slightly edited RFC 2418 Section 6 role definitions, so that
we can enjoy a more relaxed and accurate terminology:

6.1. PHB (Pointy Haired Boss)

   The PHB is concerned with making forward progress through a
   fair and open process, and has wide discretion in the
   conduct of WG business. The PHB must ensure that a number
   of tasks are performed, either directly or by others
   assigned to the tasks. Unlike their corporate counterparts,
   however, IETF PHBs do not actually have authority to
   command specific persons to perform specific tasks.

6.2. Slave

   Most IETF working groups focus their efforts on a document,
   or set of documents. A working group generally designates a
   person or persons to serve as the Slave or Slaves for a
   particular document. The Slave is responsible for ensuring
   that the contents of the document accurately reflect the
   decisions that have been made by the working group. Until
   very recently, Slaves also had to carry all the water to the
   IETF hotel, dig holes in the ground using their bare hands,
   and edit their documents using nroff.

6.3. Stuckee

   In order to make progress, working groups need to establish
   an understanding of technical alternatives, evaluate the
   feasibility of the proposed solutions in a variety of
   environments, and carefully review their documents.
   Furthermore, consensus is more fun when there are more
   participants than just the PHBs and the Slaves. Stuckees are
   expected to participate in the discussions, perform timely
   reviews of documents, and express their opinions when
   decisions are being made.

   Like others, Stuckees are volunteers. However, Stuckees do
   not get their name in any of the publications.

6.4. Tourist

   Most IETF working group meetings are held in big rooms.
   Experience has shown that the number of Slaves and Stuckees
   rarely exceeds ten for any working group. This would look bad
   for any potential observers trying to gauge the interest
   level of the new technology. In order to solve this problem,
   working groups arrange for a number of designated Tourists to
   participate the meetings. By definition, all other
   participants other than the PHBs, Slaves, Stuckees, and Area
   Dictators are Tourists. It is inappropriate for a Tourist to
   participate in discussions, whether live or on the list.

   Tourists are volunteers as well, but they get free Internet
   access while in the room.

6.5. Area Dictator

   Area Dictators are responsible for ensuring that working
   groups in their area produce coherent, coordinated,
   architecturally consistent and timely output as a
   contribution to the overall results of the
   IETF. Additionally, given that Slaves are often illiterate
   and Stuckees lazy, the Area Dictators have formed the
   Internet Engineers Spelling Group (IESG), which helps the
   working groups to correct the grammar mistakes from their
   documents.

;-)