That is exactly the point. The policy specifies that there should be an option for 'deal with the NCC directly without becoming a full member'. Then the NCC creates an option that is *more* expensive than becoming a full member, and then kills it because nobody wants is. If you *make* people not want it by attaching ridiculous prices to it then that is the obvious outcome. But it goed 200% against the spirit of the policy, and I am VERY angry because of that.
i am also very very unhappy. but have too much work to do to spend time in anger. i will save it for warsaw. i suspect relatively few will take this option. most legacy in the ncc region is academic, and many tend to have regional LIRs, e.g. janet, nordunet, ... but there are significant educational legacy holders who are not in such a position, do not have a lot of cash (think south and east), etc. and there are some commercial and private legacy holders with no reason to become vulnerable to an LIR and who are not rich. so there will be some who will take advantage of the direct option. and i think we want them to have certification. and we and they should be happy to have them pay modestly for a cert. randy