[nfsv4] Additional WG chair and the WG future

[Magnus Westerlund <[e-mail]>]

NFSv4 WG,

I am well aware of the frustration over the lack of progress in the WG. One of
the issues has been lack of WG chair activities in progressing and managing the
work items. As a first step to address that I want to recruit an additional WG
chair for the WG. Although that is not the only issue, it is one that will have
to be addressed directly.

Anyone interested in becoming a WG chair please contact me. I will not make a
decision within the next two weeks to allow people some time to seek support in
their organizations if they are considering taking on the role. I will solicit 
persons outside of the WG also, as I feel it is more important that we get
someone that has time to devote to run to processes, than necessary deep
technical knowledge of NFS. That the other chairs and the WG participants can
provide. 

Secondly, considering that the WG have a very small number of active
participants, and beyond these few there appears to be little energy. I am
deeply worried about the breadth of review this work gets. I think it is
important the WG focus on the most important work to finish up. And I seriously
think we need to consider if the right action is to close the WG, soon but in a
controlled fashion. Other WGs have done this in the past. The IETF has
procedures for maintenance and handling errata for existing specifications
beyond the WG active life. 

So this is a heads up to the WG, that several things will have to improve in the
WG if it is to go one any longer time. I know that in Montreal there discussion
of new work. But, as the situation stands I am extremely hesitant to add any new
milestones. Instead we need to show that the work currently taken on is dealt
with. If the WG wants to reprioritize existing work that can also improve the
situation. 

- Successful recruitment of a WG chair.
- Identification of what work is crucial to complete. 
- Good progress on the main items with both active editors and reviewers. 

If the above is shown in the next 6 months and there are still work the WG is
interested in then we can discuss adding new work. 

This is my view of the situation, and that is fairly dire. If WG participants
thinks the issues the WG faces can be addressed, I will listen to you. But
improvements need to be shown. 

Regards

Magnus Westerlund
TSV AD