Re: Squashing important ideas (was Re: consensus coming?

[Bob Stewart <[e-mail]>]

The importance of an idea is often an issue of debate in itself.  This is not
to say what is important, but to say that an assertion of importance, or
insignificance, is not sufficient.

>  o Quiet can be "approval" as indicated above, or just frustration with
>    the process.  

True.  But if you do not speak up, you are guaranteed that your opinion will
not be considered, whether the issue is the process itself or the conclusions.

>  o Chuck's proposals about time/space vs SMP time/space would/should have 
>    got more discussion if we were not in such a hurry.  Belittling and/or
>    ignoring his proposals have "squashed" them.  

I don't agree.  If people believe something is important, they will find time
to discuss it, or at least to say something.  The proposals have been ignored
by the community at large, not by the vocal few who have disagreed with them.
The proposals have not be squashed.  They have not found supporters.

>  o Me and others have had the same problem with the SNMPv2 working group
>    squashing "manager issues", a VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR SNMP!  I tried
>    to build interest in this with a group of people via private email (out-
>    side the snmp2 list), but they were all too tired of being "squashed".

The hardest part of engineering is knowing when one more important issue is
one issue too many and will result in no product at all.  Many of the people
who fought off "manager issues" are actually quite interested in those issues
but did not believe that their time for consideration had come.  I am one of
those.  Try building interest in manager issues as soon as we have SNMPv2 put
to bed.  I believe you'll find lots of participants then.

>Summarizing, I feel ok about the SNMPv2 and SNMP Security proposals and look
>forward to implementing and using them in the future.  

Thank you very much for saying that.  I know that the process was sometimes
brutal, and feelings were heavily bruised.  Nevertheless, I've continued to
hope for a positive outcome.

	Bob