Internet Engineering Task Force

Statements Of Boredom (SOBs)

Status of this Memo

This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Discussion

The current IETF process has two types of RFCs: standards track documents and other RFCs (e.g., informational, experimental, FYIs). The intent of the standards track documents is clear, and culminates in an official Internet Standard. Informational RFCs can be published on a less formal basis, subject to the reasonable constraints of the RFC Editor. Informational RFCs are not subject to peer review and carry no significance whatsoever within the IETF process.

The IETF currently has no mechanism or means of publishing documents that express its deep concern about something important, but otherwise contain absolutely no useful information whatsoever. This document creates a new subseries of RFCs, entitled, IETF Statements Of Boredom (SOBs). The SOB process is similar to that of the normal standards track. The SOB is submitted to the IAB, the IRSG, the IESG, the SOB Editor (Morpheus), and the Academie Francais for review, analysis, reproduction in triplicate, translation into ASN.1, and distribution to Internet insomniacs. However, once everyone has approved the document by falling asleep over it, the process ends and the document is discarded. The resulting vacuum is viewed as having the technical approval of the IETF, but it is not, and cannot become, an official Internet Standard.

References

   [1] Internet Activities Board, "The Internet Standards Process", RFC
   
       1310, IAB, March 1992.
   
   [2] Postel, J., Editor, "IAB OFFICIAL PROTOCOL STANDARDS", RFC 1410,
       IAB, March 1993.

Security Considerations

Security issues are not discussed in this memo, but then again, no other issues of any importance are discussed in this memo either.

Authors' Addresses

A. Lyman Chapin
Bolt, Beranek & Newman
Mail Stop 20/5b
150 Cambridge Park Drive
Cambridge, MA 02140
USA

   Phone: 1 617 873 3133
   EMail: Lyman@BBN.COM

Christian Huitema
INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis
2004 Route des Lucioles
BP 109
F-06561 Valbonne Cedex
France

   Phone: +33 93 65 77 15
   EMail: Christian.Huitema@MIRSA.INRIA.FR