Re: Notice to Mariners: loss of navigational aids ("whois consultations")

[Randy Bush <randy@xxxxxxx>]

hi jean,

> whois was considered under IETF for the purpose of maintaining 
> correct technical contact information. Notice this is entirely 
> distinct from billing information, and distinct from providing 
> information for law enforcement. The two later issues are beyond the 
> interest of IETF.
> 
> Notice also the observation that whois is currently failing in its 
> core and critical function: providing uniform technical contact 
> information. This is most noteworthy for those who would overload it 
> with additional functions.

i suspect we are confusing whois, the protocol on port 43 with which
the ietf is concerned, and one of many applications of that protocol.

if there are problems, perhaps the protocol needs work.  but, as it is
old, used for many applications, some of which are not even publicly
known, we are not likely to get a lot of change without breaking
something.  and our culture is somewhat disinclined to breakage.

then one may need to ask if the applications having problems fitting
into the whois protocol should consider a different protocol more
suitable to their needs.

randy