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.
---------- Dave Crocker <mailto:dcrocker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Brandenburg InternetWorking <http://www.brandenburg.com> tel +1.408.246.8253; fax +1.408.273.6464