I am not looking to break the natural monopoly, but rather I am looking to move to a situation where the "monopoly" stuff is walled off from the optional stuff that RIPE/RIPE-NCC management (and friends) use to pay for their own pet projects. I am happy to pay on a cost basis for the "monopoly" stuff, but I don't get a choice.
This was something i raised years ago prompted mainly by the test traffic white elephant which used registry monies to plod along and then eventually go on a subscription basis, and this something i had no intention of ever using but still the registry i was with paid its money and had no say over how it was used. Something that has been repeated over and over again is that the NCC should be a registry not a research dept for internet trends and toys. There should be 4 main functions 1.registry services (good and timely) 2. database repository (and related DB functions) 3. Training services (mainly for new LIR's to get them up to speed) 4. RIPE meeting organization All of which the NCC do well and should be commended, anything else is surplus to requirement there is one other thing the NCC has never done and never fully justified and that is a help desk you can talk to. Other RIR's do it. I think it helps cut away the sterile faceless image and lets you see what you are getting for your money - discuss Stephen Burley Internet Communications Consultant Africonnect