lists@help.org wrote:
I think you need to first develop 2 tables (working with other groups/RIR's). Across the top is the RIR's. The first tables should list the data fields and the second table list the queries and what data elements they return. Then you can see what the RIR's all have in common and explain the differences/reasons in the elements of the table. Then look at what is common among the RIR's and come up with a standard. Then you can focus on the individual elements and decide what to do with the eventual goal being a common standard among all RIR's.
Sounds resonable, but is really somthing for the db-wg or another place where this worldwide RFC could be developed. Feel free to send a proposal, its defny welcome.
To get over the opt-in/opt-out law differences you could consider allowing "private" instead the real data, allow a link to a form web page rather than a contact person, or demand an opt-in agreement when the data is collected, etc.
I cant really see, why a development of a new whois standard needs to be first, until then I would focus on the mandatory field to help abuse reporting and the cleanup of RIPEs database. Kind regards, Frank -- PHADE Software - PowerWeb http://www.powerweb.de Inh. Dipl.-Inform. Frank Gadegast mailto:frank@powerweb.de Schinkelstrasse 17 fon: +49 33200 52920 14558 Nuthetal OT Rehbruecke, Germany fax: +49 33200 52921 ======================================================================