[dns-operations] DNSWorld conference 2007

[Jack Fisher]

Hello Mr. Gudmundsson and others,

I am the program chair of the DNSWorld Conference. I believe it time and
appropriate to set a couple of things straight. I thank the list owner for
giving me this opportunity.

Our organization has not and does not solicit participation in our
conference from members of this list, nor any other operational list. We do
not ask anything from you. A few, we invite, have the opportunity to present
at our event. DNSWorld is not competing with IETF, ISOC, ICANN, Ripe or any
other group or entity. Our focus is an educational experience for those who
are not, may not or cannot participate for a variety of reasons in the quite
impressive events of aforementioned associations. And that includes also an
opportunity for those in commerce to promote their products and services.

In 1997 we organized a network security conference in Miami. We did indeed,
and Mr. Weiler's research produced a link to the program. I can add to it,
that the conference was held. Were there any inconsistencies or
irregularities? No, none whatsoever. There was not even a remote risk to
that with keynotes as the a director of the CIA, amongst a score of other
high profile speakers. If a participant, hindsight and 10 years after the
event, can recall that he/she wasn't pleased with a presentation, couldn't
catch a plane in time, or had a serious bowel problem, I take that as a fact
of life. It happens with every conference. 
 
I resent the tone of some of the comments of this list. It's suggestive,
unprofessional, unethical, and most importantly insulting, certainly when it
has no merit at all. Datanet Security Holding, Inc. is a private held
company, and we are in business since 1994. We were a spin off of Elsevier
Advanced Sciences' Journal on Computers and Security (Oxford, UK) and
started by Em. Prof. Dr. Harold Joseph Highland. Sadly enough Harold
Highland and his friends Jon Postel and Bob Herzberg passed. Harold was by
some of the older generation among you recognized as one of the very early
computer security minds. They were also my friends; I am of the same age
group. Yes, the time of Bitnet and Arpanet. And, yes, we were there way
before you, and likely for a number among you way before you were actually
able to speak. Vint will recall them. 

Why Cancun for DNSWorld, seems to be a topic of interest. For a number of
reasons. Here are the most important ones: DNSWorld desires to be completely
impartial. And that simply means that visitors from countries not welcome in
the USA, are welcome in Mexico. Secondly, the Mexican government has granted
us a blanket sales tax waiver for the organization and delegates on their
already low hotel room rates. That makes a significant difference for many
not willing or able to cough up $ 200+ a night.

I like to add that before judging a program, it would benefit to figure out
if a particular topic has merit. That is besides the point of course that
the presenters and I decide on what is going to be presented.  Meanwhile I
see that a lightning rod figured out that there are applications which allow
for more than 255 characters. For the lesser privileged on a different
topic: Perhaps if you attempt to follow: "Secure DNS: The Foundation for
Utility Grade Networks", a Forrester Research presentation dealing with
award-winning work of Secure64, you discover that there are other
developments; likely beyond your grasp.

Lastly, I am not game for a pissing contest of any sorts, on this list or
elsewhere. If you find fun in grave digging for non-existent corpses instead
of network operations, I'd suggest a career change. United Nations has
plenty vacancies. If there's a pessimistic mind troubled with a, hopefully
temporary, moment of diluted brilliance, I can only be grateful to be
alerted in advance whom I should not consider to invite speaking for our
audience.

Thank you for your attention.


Jack Fisher, PhD
Program Chairman
DNSWorld Conference 2007