Re: [88attendees] AFRICANs @ the IETF 88

"Howard, Lee" <lee.howard@twcable.com> Fri, 08 November 2013 17:12 UTC

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From: "Howard, Lee" <lee.howard@twcable.com>
To: Asmic Computers ZA/NG <asmicom@ngportal.com>, Spencer Dawkins <spencerdawkins.ietf@gmail.com>, "Fred Baker (fred)" <fred@cisco.com>
Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:11:59 -0500
Thread-Topic: [88attendees] AFRICANs @ the IETF 88
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Subject: Re: [88attendees] AFRICANs @ the IETF 88
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Replying in-line.
This thread might be better on the main IETF mailing list, where other Africans (who weren't registered for this meeting) can participate.


From: Asmic Computers ZA/NG <asmicom@ngportal.com<mailto:asmicom@ngportal.com>>
Reply-To: Asmic Computers ZA/NG <asmicom@ngportal.com<mailto:asmicom@ngportal.com>>
Date: Friday, November 8, 2013 2:53 AM
To: Spencer Dawkins <spencerdawkins.ietf@gmail.com<mailto:spencerdawkins.ietf@gmail.com>>, Fred Baker <fred@cisco.com<mailto:fred@cisco.com>>
Cc: "88attendees@ietf.org<mailto:88attendees@ietf.org>" <88attendees@ietf.org<mailto:88attendees@ietf.org>>
Subject: Re: [88attendees] AFRICANs @ the IETF 88

Many thanks goes to Spencer Dawkins and Fred Baker for the non-exhaustive list of things we should also look into. They are highly informative.


There are just so much things to talk about that time wouldn't permit us to do this morning.


Parts of the Agenda:::
1. Contributing to the IETF: The IETF 88 just showed many of us how ideas are turned into standards. Wouldn't it be good to see (native) African names on an RFC, IAB, WG-chairs, e.t.c.? One way of doing so is by having a "fighting spirit" with continuous mentorship/support from the IETF members & various bodies. Just before  the term "WebRTC or RTCWeb" came into the limelight in 2011 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebRTC), someone from Africa had earlier seen a need for it (http://conferences.sigcomm.org/co-next/2007/papers/studentabstracts/paper23.pdf). It was in 2007 that the idea first came up and a proof of concept was later developed (http://bit.ly/R3SFtc). Today, the RTCWeb Working Group is now standardizing it.  It started out as an application (OR an idea) -i.e.  getting SIP into browsers for browser-to-browser communication. I am certain that there are some many other ideas like that coming out of Africa. We now need to push ourselves further to get our names there.

For new participants, I would suggest (in order) reviewing drafts, writing (and co-authoring drafts, which I highly recommend), which may become RFCs, and contributing constructively on mailing lists.  These things lead to WG Chair positions, which can lead to IESG or IAB positions.

The example above is excellent.  One way to chair a WG is to be one of the people suggesting work needs to be done, and coalescing people who want to work on it.  So, see work that needs to be done, host a BoF, request a mailing list.  Existing WG chairs will help, and ADs, and anyone with a smiley face on their badge.  Of course, not everyone agrees on what is a good idea.



2. Getting more people involved: AT the moment, over ten people (students, academics, e.t.c.) from different African countries have asked me how they can get involved in the IETF activities. SOme other IETF 88 fellows from the continent have also suggested that we talk about ways of sharing our experiences. The situation is not peculiar to Africa. Many thanks to the task force from South America that now wants to guide us on possible ways/solutions.

I would really like to see reports from IETF back to AfNOG and other regional events.  Participating in IETF can be very time-consuming, and Internet engineers are very busy.  Helping people know what's going on that's interesting can save them the time of sifting through 30 WG charters to find one or two that look interesting and active.  I'm willing to help with this, and IETF Daily Dose is a good start.

Everyone knows about the ISOC Fellows program?  http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/ietf-and-ois-programmes/internet-society-fellowship



3. Re-imaging the world's view about Africa: Yes, I used the word "re-image." I am referring to the computing concept from "virtual images."  What people hear/see about the continent (mostly negative things) is different from what they see, when the visit (some parts of) the continent.   How do we get the continent to earn its own respect like Asia and South America? (Ref - http://www.siliconafrica.com/it-takes-a-network-to-beat-a-network/)

My impression is that there's enormous diversity of expertise in Africa.  It makes sense—there's enormous diversity in Africa.  I would certainly prefer that we get the best talent participating in IETF :-)
I also recommend AfriNIC meetings to anyone who has the means to attend (maybe especially people from outside Africa!).  I have always learned a lot from them.  Next one is end of this month, Cote d'Ivoire.


Maybe most especially, keep up this conversation, and participate in working group mailing list discussions.  Many of us are eager to help.

Lee


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