This is the recent traffic on the #SPF-council IRC channel on irc.pobox.com. Anyone may join the channel, but only council members can talk.

If you do not have access to IRC, you may view the recent traffic at: http://www.schlitt.net/spf/spf-council/now/irc_log.html.

This log can be can be viewed at: http://www.schlitt.net/spf/spf-council/2006/02/07_irc_log.html.

IRC nicknames:
JulianJulian Mehnle
MarkKMark Kramer (asarian-host.net)
SDGathmanStuart Gathman
shewMark Shewmaker
willixWilliam Leibzon
 
freesideMeng Weng Wong
gconnorGreg Connor
grumpyWayne Schlitt

--- Tue Feb 7 12:55:54 UTC 2006 ---
12:55<SDGathman>I posted of summary of arguments to spf-discuss.
12:58<MarkK>good evening
13:00<shew>Good morning. :-)
13:04<MarkK>Are we still on? Weren't you up at 5 AM?
13:05<willix>I think we're waiting for Julian
13:06<SDGathman>My Dad gets up at 5am - so it didn't immediately register that computer types might find it distressing (I'm a night owl myself). Sorry.
13:08<SDGathman>Although my summary last night saw a "rough" concensus, It was missing a few posters.
13:08<MarkK>I'm sure he'll show up soon
13:09<MarkK>yeah, we got quite a hectic input there :)
13:09<willix>I was going to do summary too but did not get to it due to time
13:09<willix>at least one person emailed me privately and said he's for appeal
13:11<MarkK>hmm
13:12<shew>Are folks here wanting/expecting a discussion? (ie, would taking a poll for/against here while waiting for Julian be inappropriate?)
13:13<willix>FYI - Hector also emailed me and said he's for the appeal and not against
13:14<MarkK>I do not believe a whole lot of discussion was planned, no
13:15<MarkK>the chair should probably be here, though, before taking a vote
13:15<SDGathman>This is such a tricky issue, I hope posteriity cuts us some slack.
13:15<MarkK>yeah, it sure is a tough call
13:22<SDGathman>There is not an obvious concensus on spf-discuss either.
13:22<SDGathman>Very wise people on both sides.
13:23<MarkK>I'd hoped there would be; but alas
13:23<SDGathman>At least on mail issues.
13:23<MarkK>no clear cut, I'm afraid
13:28<willix>Can we have roll call on who is here please
13:29<MarkK>present
13:29<shew>present
13:29<SDGathman>present
13:29<willix>present
13:30<willix>We have quorum for council meeting
13:30<SDGathman>Julian indicated he would abstain anyway.
13:30<willix>We already know how Julian will vote, so I'd like to have the council meeting start now
13:30<shew>We could in fact also have an open-ended vote, posting results on spf-council and letting Julian make the final vote or abstention.
13:31<willix>yes
13:31<shew>Given that he said he'd be writing the appeal if it were voted for, that technical delay in the "final" answer isn't really a practical issue I don't think.
13:31<SDGathman>Who will be acting chairman?
13:32<willix>Mark, you want to do it, given you were interim chairman before?
13:32<MarkK>I could be
13:32<MarkK>yes
13:32<MarkK>Ok, I call this meeting to order
13:32<shew>I would prefer us to have a vote that would have 5 votes.
13:32<shew>(poorly worded)
13:33<MarkK>Only one agenda item: to appeal or not to appeal
13:33<SDGathman>Motion: cast four votes, post results to spf-council, let Julian add final vote and submit appeal if so decided.
13:33<willix>can we have small discussion before on if consensus exist
13:33<MarkK>sure
13:34<shew>okay.
13:34<shew>(I agree with the motion, btw.)
13:34<SDGathman>After corrections via email, my summary of spf-discuss is evenly divided.
13:35<willix>Who did you list as being for?
13:35<willix>And who against?
13:35<SDGathman>Let me bring it up...
13:37<SDGathman>Pro: Mike (Dot Zero)
13:37<SDGathman>Frank
13:37<SDGathman>Mark Shewmaker
13:37<SDGathman>Terry
13:37<SDGathman>John Martin
13:37<SDGathman>Constantine
13:37<SDGathman>Jeff MacDonald
13:37<SDGathman>ScottK (although he also was against :-)
13:37<SDGathman>Hector (as noted here by willix - I counted him as against)
13:38<willix>add Michael Elliott as for
13:39<SDGathman>Con: Wayne
13:39<SDGathman>Andrew (IBM)
13:39<SDGathman>Mark
13:39<SDGathman>Alex
13:39<SDGathman>ScottK :-)
13:39<SDGathman>Others I didn't catch that Alex mentioned (but didn't list)
13:39<MarkK>that Mark is not me, right?
13:40<willix>Steven Dorst also for - http://www.mhonarc.org/archive/html/spf-discuss/2006-02/msg00023.html
13:40<shew>You listed me early on by full name.
13:40<SDGathman>Key quote: So, I, for one, know I will be looking forward to hearing people
13:40<SDGathman>explain why they feel a new appeal will succeed this time.
13:40<shew>So I'm not sure who the second mark is either.
13:41<SDGathman>Opening email to to identify "Mark"...
13:41<shew>Okay. I didn't read that as a "for", but as an "on the fence, wants more info"
13:41<MarkK>yes, I know I was against; but I thought you were counting from the pool of non-counil members
13:41<willix>John Hinton is against - http://www.mhonarc.org/archive/html/spf-discuss/2006-02/msg00015.html
13:41<MarkK>I certainly wrote that email you quote
13:42<SDGathman>Mark - system admin assarian host
13:42<MarkK>good :)
13:42<MarkK>I know him
13:43<SDGathman>I was counting everyone I could find in the debate.
13:43<willix>I think the situation is somewhere around 9:5 for/against
13:43<MarkK>Ok; I just wanted to know exactly who we are counting
13:43<SDGathman>Alex said: I'm sure I contributed. That's already 8 to 6. More people you
13:43<SDGathman>forgot to mention may make it 8 to 8. That's not what I call rough
13:43<SDGathman>consensus.
13:44<MarkK>so, 8 for, 6 against?
13:45<MarkK>or 8 - 8 now?
13:45<willix>...
13:45<SDGathman>It would be 8-6 pro appeal or maybe 8-8.
13:45<SDGathman>But that is what alex said - he didn't list the people I may have forgotten.
13:47<SDGathman>If this were an election, we would be counting handing chad...
13:47<SDGathman>We also have to look at the arguments presented.
13:49<SDGathman>In my perception, the pro arguments are based on justice. The con arguments are based on prudence.
13:49<MarkK>yes; ok, so does anyone feel particularly moved by a new argument, and thinks we have to discuss it?
13:49<SDGathman>I wish.
13:49<MarkK>I for one, did not hear a whole lot new; but then again, I'm just me
13:50<SDGathman>One argument claimed that a delay would hurt SID more than SPF. Is there any basis to that?
13:51<shew>(I only saw parts of the pro arguments based on justice. I saw pragmanatacism (sp?) and prudence based arguments on both sides.)
13:52<SDGathman>Agreed, that was just my overall perception.
13:52<shew>That was my claim. Basically an rfc "legitimizes" the spf re-use, which is a sender-id win, meaning a delay hurts sender-id more than spf, given the current understanding that v=spf1 means spf1.
13:52<MarkK>I think the 'con' agrument is largely based on the expectation that little is to be gained, if anything, and probably more to be lost, in terms of delays
13:52<shew>Or at least, that was what I was trying to say.
13:53<shew>Unfortunately I think (as a pro-person, granted), that the "pro" argument is based on the opposite expectation--little/small-risk to be lost, more to be potentially gained.
13:53<MarkK>I think we left off, last time, all agreeing that, in terms of 'justice' or technical merit, the appeal is justified.
13:53<shew>It's frustrating that this isn't a black&white easy-to-figure a perfect answer issue. :-/
13:55<MarkK>yeah; the effects are hard to predict, I must say. Seriously, predicting is a difficult business; especially when it concerns the future.
13:56<SDGathman>Is there a significant risk that SPF but not SID could be delayed? Several assured that either SID only or both would be delayed, but I want confirmation.
13:56<willix>I have looked at posts and here is who is for and against based on what I can see:
13:56<willix>For appeal: Frank Ellermann, Mark Shewmaker, Terry Feelder, John Martin,
13:56<willix>Constantine A. Murenin, Jeff MacDonald, Scott Kitterman, Mike (dotzero),
13:56<willix>Hector Santos, Michael Elliott, Steven Dorst
13:56<willix>Against Appeal: Wayne Schlitt, Andrew Donoho, Mark Kramer, Alex van den Bogaerdt,
13:56<willix>John Hinton, Greg Connor, Meng Weng Wong
13:57<MarkK>it was argued, I believe, that both proposals could be blocked, in terms of getting their status
13:57<willix>Its about 11:7
13:58<shew>To me I'm thinking that the clarity on the technical and "moral" side more than tips ambiguity on the practical side. (Though I am pro-appeal on the practical side too). Just as clarity on the practical side would tip me one way or the other if the technical or moral sides were ambiguous.
13:58<SDGathman>If the worse case outcome is both being delayed, we are no worse off.
13:58<willix>11/18 is 61% which counts as very very slight rough consensus
13:59<willix>I'll email this data to spf-discuss in separate email
14:00<willix>I think IAB will delay both SPF and SID until appeal is resolved for sure
14:00<MarkK>ok, thanks
14:00<MarkK>willix: yes, that is the current 'fear'
14:01<SDGathman>I think we can live with that.
14:01<MarkK>or, rather, perhap deny them both
14:01<MarkK>which would NOT be good
14:01<willix>I personally think IAB will say same as IESG - i.e. that eventhough we have correct arguments for standard track, these are not standard-track documents and IETF lets IESG pretty much decide how to proceed in these cases
14:01<willix>I think delay would be closer to 2 months
14:01<MarkK>willix: yes; hence, I am inclined to vote 'no'
14:02<MarkK>I see no real good argument that convinces me that the IAB will follow a radically different rationalr than the IESG
14:03<MarkK>rationale, even
14:03<SDGathman>It is important that we not acquiesce to the reuse abuse. Does a formal protest address that?
14:04<willix>It simply puts it on the record that IESG decision on previous appeal did not address the issues
14:04<willix>But not on any official record
14:05<shew>MarkK, does Frank's example of IAB over-ruling a useful example of showing how the iab can follow a different rationale? (Granted, that was an easier issue.)
14:05<shew>".. for you"
14:06<MarkK>I honestly doubt it will happen
14:06<SDGathman>It occured to me last night, that after M$ deploys reuse abuse, and forces everyone to publish SID "opt-out" records, they will then issue a press release claiming all those opt-out records as SID records.
14:06<willix>the number of opt-out records is very low
14:07<MarkK>I think the reality of life is simply that they will not want to 'slap' MS, silly as that sounds.
14:07<willix>Ok, can we have non-official roll-call on how you prefer to resolve this
14:08<SDGathman>Ok, so the "judge" is unjust. But does that mean we shouldn't persevere in seeking justice?
14:08<shew>I guess I have a hard time seeing it as a slap, as I see it as preventing a technical incompatibility. Now, pointing out problems in PRA and blocking things on that might be a "slap".
14:08<shew>I'm okaywith a roll-call.
14:08<MarkK>ok, roll-call
14:09<shew>For IAB appeal.
14:10<MarkK>against IAB appeal
14:10<SDGathman>I would vote 'yes' for appeal, as best representing the community.
14:11<MarkK>Is that 18/11 thing final? Because that would be a real majority
14:11<willix>Its final the way I see it
14:11<MarkK>ok, good enough for me
14:12<SDGathman>That was 11 to 7. 11/(11 + 7)
14:12<willix>I'm going to be on the record that I'm against appeal because I think it'd not achieve anything and will alienate email industry people even further
14:12<SDGathman>I can understand that. I really can.
14:12<willix>but the community seems to prefer to go for appeal with slight majority
14:13<willix>Lets vote now and email results to spf-council
14:13<SDGathman>It is such a minor change. Perhaps the appeal can be worded to emphasize how resolving the conflict does not harm the PRA project in any way.
14:14<MarkK>willix: I am pretty much of the same position; I fear the industry will, sooner rather than later, simply be fed up with SPF and their ways to block MS; even when we are totally justified, morally and technically, to do so. But, true or false, perpetion is 9/10 of the law, I'd say.
14:14<willix>The laws are not at all just, never have been
14:14<MarkK>perceptuon, even
14:15<MarkK>perception, even
14:15<MarkK>(sorry, can't spell today)
14:15<willix>and decisions of court even less so
14:15<shew>SDGathman: I agree with the importance of wording.
14:15<SDGathman>We are not trying to block PRA - just keep it disentangle from SPF classic.
14:16<MarkK>no; but in the world industry, what ppl perceive as happening and what is really happening, may be two different things
14:17<MarkK>and I fear we may appear, to the industry, as the annoying, blockin guys; regardless of whether this is really true
14:17<willix>But you understand that even if it says something in RFC, the software writers will ignore it if it suites their interest
14:17<SDGathman>If the system is really so unjust, then we can't win anyway. So we might as well do the right thing, and go down with a clear conscience.
14:18<willix>Typically these are advertised as special features and typically marketed as being an achievement above and beyond IETF
14:18<SDGathman>But no one will be blocked if they just fix their minor technical error!
14:20<willix>BTW - if I count my voice, its 11/19 for and 8/19 against
14:21<willix>They are using records for email filtering. The filtering is inprecise, especially if you consider how usually it is all constructured with bayesean algorithms
14:21<shew>The clarity of the technical issue is so extreme that I have difficulty seeing how a wider, presumably-less-biased group that would judge the IAB appeal could also ignore the real technical issue.
14:21<MarkK>Stuart, it is a hard call; running into a brick wall, with eyes wide open, ppl might not think that particular wise, either.
14:22<MarkK>history will, indeed, have to judge us mildly
14:22<willix>Personally I proposed before a compromise that postitive results of v=SPF1 records can be used with PRA but not negative results
14:22<MarkK>I think it's too late in the game for that
14:23<willix>MarkK: its not too late actually, that is mostly how MS is using it anyway
14:25<shew>I do not agree with that compromise, as it still has technical problems--and there's simply no need for it, as domain owners who wish to opt-in to sender-id can still opt-in even when spfv1 re-use is not allowed.
14:26<shew>I don't think it's proper or useful to suggest something as a compromise that is from a technical position only half as bad.
14:26<willix>tell me how its bad
14:27<MarkK>I do not think this meeting is meant to discuss that, actually; we should stick with the vote
14:28<willix>Yes I agree
14:28<shew>Okay.
14:28<willix>Motion: SPF Community should proceed with IAB appeal
14:28<MarkK>seconds?
14:28<SDGathman>14:28u seconded
14:29<MarkK>votes?
14:29<shew>1428u: Yes.
14:29<SDGathman>14:28u: yes
14:29<willix>1428u: yes
14:29<MarkK>1428u: yes
14:29<willix>(for the record yes vote is because I believe that is what community wanted)
14:29<MarkK>Ok, that was interesting :)
14:30<SDGathman>willix, your idea is a decent compromise.
14:30<shew>Okay, that was interesting.
14:30<willix>Mark you need to close the vote
14:30<MarkK>for the record, I voted yes for the same reason: it is apparently what ppl want
14:30<MarkK>motion carries
14:30<willix>(1428: motion carries)
14:31<MarkK>yes; 1428u: so ordered (to be precise)
14:31<MarkK>ok, history, do your judging. :)
14:31<willix>ok thanks everyone
14:31<MarkK>Anyone has anything else to discuss?
14:32<SDGathman>the willix compromise.
14:32<SDGathman>Avoids forcing people to opt-in to SID to get mail delivered.
14:32<MarkK>Is it not better to do that saturday, with julian present?
14:32<SDGathman>Ok.
14:32<willix>I think I was not the first to bring it up
14:32<MarkK>In this case, we really had no choice
14:32<SDGathman>So it will not be mentioned in appeal?
14:33<MarkK>I guess not, then
14:33<shew>While I admit that it's harder to figure corner cases where that would be a problem, I don't actually see the need of it--folks could just opt-in for the moment, and a future version of spf should allow for an easier way to do the scoping anyway.
14:33<willix>No, but info about it is available and I'll comment on it at IETF main list
14:33<MarkK>(mark rrally wishes julian had been here, also for the record)
14:34<MarkK>So, we're ready to close then?
14:34<SDGathman>ok
14:34<MarkK>Ok, then I hereby declare this meeting officially closed
14:35<willix>As council secretary I'll inform community as well as email to Julian on SPF-council list to proceed with appeal
14:35<MarkK>than you, william
14:36<shew>Well, he now has the un-envious task of wording an appeal politely and nonconfrontationaly so as to get the point across in a way that will more likely lead it to being resolved quickly.
14:36<shew>Thanks all.
14:37<MarkK>yes, thank you all for coming here; especially those who had to get up real early
14:38<MarkK>we are officially adjourned; so, feel free to leave. :)
14:39<MarkK>As I have further things to do, I think I will indeed take my leave,
14:39<willix>again thanks everyone and you should see my emails shortly
14:39<willix>bye
14:39<MarkK>good day
14:39<willix>\q

This report was generated at Tue Feb 7 14:51:33 UTC 2006.