Re: ietf Digest, Vol 218, Issue 49 (making decisions)

[Craig Partridge <[e-mail]>]

>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 4:38 PM Benjamin Kaduk <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
> In my view the lesson learned is "don't": avoid situations where one has to
> pick one of two options unless absolutely necessary. This especially
> applies when there are few technical criteria to apply.
>
>
The issue of choosing between options is longstanding and dates back to my
time on the initial IESG in the late 1980s.  Historically, the answer is to
allow both choices where they can co-exist.  This decision means a
marketplace process ultimately decides. While the marketplace uncertainy
can be messy, it ensures a standard solution is available in a timely way.

When the choices are mutually exclusive, the delay caused by the struggle
to choose can be destructive.  I've argued elsewhere that the delay picking
the IP over ATM encapsulation harmed ATM (one of many harms, but still...
there were three encapsulations, all achieving the same result, so it
became a beauty contest...).  At some point the WG needs to be pushed
toward consensus on which choice(s) to exclude.

Craig
-- 
*****
Craig Partridge's email account for professional society activities and
mailing lists.