The Internet industry in Europe needs to sort out the funding of 'mutual services' like the CERTs. While TERENA and RIPE-NCC are I believe the right place for this the industry has not expressed this and beefed up the terms of reference to these groups. Also the funding still has not been sorted. The funding of any mutual service is always difficult if some players are able to enjoy a free ride. ( This is one of the reasons we pay taxes). I would like to suggest that TERENA and/or the RIPE-NCC are 'encouraged' to be creative in the services it provides and that we the industry support them with adequate funds. If this does not happen, then these services will be swept-up by opportunists who will make of them what they can. I therefore propose that at the next TERENA meeting we resolve to enable the NCC to offer any 'mutual' service and to increase their funding by the apropiate amount ( three times current '95 budget?) p.s. Why do I keep being reminded of the Joni Mitchell? song that goes... They took all the trees put them in a tree museum.. Then they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see them.... PIPEX wish to express support for the ConCERT-in-E approach -----------------------MIME Messages Accepted---------------------- Peter Dawe, Director, Unipalm plc, Email: peter@unipalm.co.uk Managing Director, PIPEX Ltd Voice: +44(0)1223 250100 216 The Science Park, Milton Road Fax: +44(0)1223 250101 Cambridge, England, CB4 4WA WWW: http://www.pipex.net ------------------------------------------------------------------- Government Regulation? The minimum needed to maintain an open and free market for all! -------------------------------------------------------------------