Re: [irtf-discuss] I-D Action: draft-perkins-irtf-code-of-conduct-00.txt

[Colin Perkins <[e-mail]>]

On 23 Oct 2023, at 21:25, Toerless Eckert wrote:

> Thanks, Colin
>
> a) I think it would be great if IRTF would practice an open and transparent
> process and also discuss this document on irtf-discuss, even though i am not sure
> if this is required for IRTF documents such as this one.

You're welcome to discuss on the irtf-discuss@ list, but if you want comments to be considered they should be copied to the IRSG.

> b) Given how IETF participants are likely the biggest possible IRTF participants,
> even if not necessarily as contributors but hopefully as more than welcome
> commenters, it would be probably helpfull to not only write:
>
> " Compared to the IETF equivalent [RFC7154], this IRTF code of conduct
>   reflects those differences in emphasis between the two organisations. "
>
> But maybe elaborate on those core differences as a quick "executive summary"
> for IETF contributors. Even though it might constitute some degree of duplication
> over the prior text.

The paragraph prior to the one you quoted highlights some of the core differences between the two organisations. I can add a reference to RFC 7418 that expands on these.

> c) I am not sure about the exact administrative and organizational relationship
> between IETF and IRTF, but i hope that wrt. code of conduct it should make sense
> to think of a common code of conduct across both of them and then specific
> code of conduct aspects that apply only to standards (group) work and/or only to
> research (group) work. But it seems we do not have such a common code of conduct.
>
> In it's absence i wonder if the IRTF code of conduct should not consider
> to explicitly inherit the IETF code of conduct and explicitly describe differences.
> I understand that that would be more work, but it would have the benefit of
> then also automatically inheriting any changes in IETF code of conduct that
> is also applicable to IRTF to the IRTF.
>
> Right now it seems like its more the opposite: The text about honesty specifically
> towards AI-tools is of course equally applicable to IETF, and hence investing
> the work of thinking what a modernized common ietf+irtf code-of-conduct should
> include might be better spent than trying to first write (only) an IRTF-only
> code of conduct.

The IETF code of conduct is mainly focussed on effective conduct of the standards process. The overwhelming majority of its text is therefore not applicable to the IRTF. Accordingly, I don't believe it makes sense to base the IRTF code of conduct on it.

Colin