[3] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Truth in Advertising
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Richard Mandelbaum)
Wed Oct 10 15:41:04 1990
To: members@farnet.org, com-priv@psi.com
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 90 14:20:56 -0400
From: Richard Mandelbaum <rma@tsar.cc.rochester.edu>
The Executive Committee of FARNet feels that it is necessary to
respond to the recent message "Truth in Advertising" sent by Bill
Schrader of PSI.
First of all, we must make it clear that Bill does not speak for the
membership of FARNet, insofar as official positions of FARNet are
articulated only through FARNet Position Papers (FPPs), which are issued
only after ratification by vote of the FARNet membership.
Having said that, let us say that members of the FARNet Executive
Committee view the entry of ANS into the marketplace with a mixture of
enthusiasm and concern. We feel that ANS can potentially be very beneficial or
harmful, depending on how its relationship with the mid-level networks
develops. The midlevel networks have mobilized tremendous support, both
financial and otherwise, at the local, state and regional levels,
and the Executive Committee has urged ANS not to jeopardize this
support.
We are pleased with Al Weis' sincerity and attention in his
efforts to work with the mid-level networks and FARNet to discuss these
relationships. FARNet is establishing working groups to help define the
relationships between ANS and mid-level networks so that together we will
support the NREN movement and capitalize on the investment and skills of
the mid-level networks. In light of these efforts, we feel that it is
in everyone's best interests to hold judgement on the future of ANS-regional
relationships and try to develop beneficial ties
between mid-level networks and ANS rather than to start off from an
adversarial position.
Richard Mandelbaum
Chair, FARNET
on behalf of the FARNET EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
