Daniel,
Another point. The internet and telecommunications industry has been suffering in the last few years. Budgets have been cut and companies have downsized or gone bust. At this time NCC should be seen to be tightening its belt, not adding new non-core activities.
The RIPE NCC is another kettle of fish than a commercial company. You need stability and neutrality and that has its price! What if you lean it until it falls over at the most inconveient time?
There is a big danger in what you say above. Stability yes - but not at any price. The stability is there for the core service of the NCC, to act as a RIR. The rest is benefits that we get on the side. What most people have been asking for is transparency and accountability on why, and to what costs certain projects are done. Saying that this has always been part of the NCCs tasks is not an answer to those questions. Best regards, - kurtis -