RE: [802SEC] Get802 Program SEC ballot
I agree with Howard's points 1 and 2, but I think that it
is unlikely that the desired level of funding will be
secured. When we were setting up the program (before the
economic downturn) it was already clear that there was
little interest from the corporations in sponsorship.
Here is my perspective on why:
I know that Agilent already subscribes to an IEEE program
that allows download of various IEEE publications including
the standards. Probably many of the other large corporations
do so. Therefore, making IEEE 802 standards available to
their own employees isn't a reason to support Get802. They are
already paying for them bundled with enough other things that
the price for their subscription wouldn't be changed by taking
Get802 out.
I think the advertising benefit of a sponsorship is a
difficult proposition. The exposure of having a logo on
the website has minimal value. The other possiblity is
a charitable contribution, but most of the corporations
have a lot more compelling possiblities for charitable
contributions then free standards for underprivileged
engineers.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Frazier [mailto:millardo@dominetsystems.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 11:05 AM
To: stds-802-sec@ieee.org
Subject: [802SEC] Get802 Program SEC ballot
I suggest that the release of funds should be postponed
pending the outcome of the current work on the program,
for the following reasons:
1) We have no committment to extend the program past
May 15, 2002.
2) The IEEE staff has made clear their desire to alter
the program unless a significant level of corporate
sponsorship is secured.
3) While several parties are working diligently to
secure corporate sponsorship for the program, the
desired level of funding has not yet been secured.
4) Given 2 and 3, we don't know what the program will
be after May 15. If we send the 802
contribution before the negotiations have been
completed, we will be supporting a program that we
may or may not like, and we will loose a considerable
amount of leverage in the negotiations.
In my opinion, the success or failure of Get802 does
not hinge on 802's direct financial contribution.
The LMSC funds represent a base level of funding for
Get802, and they turn out to be the one constant
in a shifting financial picture. Corporate sponsorship,
subscriptions, and sales of individual documents are
subject to many factors. Unfortunately, the past year
has been a truly lousy one for most of the networking
industry, so all of the financial components of the
Get802 program suffered mightily, with the exception
of the LMSC's contribution.
If you believe in the Get802 program, and you want to
see it continue, here is what you must do:
Apply all of your energy to securing corporate
sponsorship for the program. Work on your own
company, and work every contact you have in the
industry. Find volunteers in your WGs to do the
same. If each SEC member can convince a company
to sponsor Get802, the IEEE's financial goal will
be met.
If the corporate sponsorship shows up, then we can
work with the IEEE staff to define the right program,
and send in our contribution. If the corporate
sponsorship doesn't show up, the program is toast,
and our financial contribution won't matter.
Howard