Rumors and Other Fantasies

Why Did I Quit (1)? Rumor: –Due to the move of APNIC to Australia, I was forced out by the Japanese members of APNIC Reality: –There has been NO attempts by ANYONE to force me to leave APNIC –I have received support from Japanese members, both before and after the move decision

Why Did I Quit (2)? Rumor: – I was forced out by the Japanese as an attempt to destabilize APNIC in order for the APNIC to collapse. Subsequently, JPNIC would be in a position to become the new APNIC Reality: –As mentioned, I have received the same level of support after the decision to move as before –It is unlikely the IANA would choose a national NIC to fulfill a regional function due to the need for consensus

Why Did I Quit (3)? Rumor: –I am deliberately attempting to destabilize APNIC now that ARIN is operational so AP region organizations go to ARIN after APNIC’s collapse Reality: –I didn’t work 4 years to destroy what I (with others) had built –ARIN is unlikely to be interested in supporting the AP region (other than temporarily as a new regional NIC is constituted)

So Why Did I Quit? Reality: –I am an engineer, not a business person I enjoy building things, not running them I promised myself that once APNIC reached its goal of having 6 months operational budget in the bank, I can go back to doing interesting things –APNIC is being forced to play a more active political role I don’t like politics As an American, I’m probably not the best to act in an advocacy role for the AP Region –Someone will always accuse me of hidden agendas

APNIC Had A Visa Denied Rumor: –APNIC has had a visa application denied Reality: –APNIC is in the process of obtaining ALL visas it has applied for –NO visas have been denied. –I am told it is far more difficult to obtain a visa in Japan than Australia

APNIC Will Face Significant Hidden Costs Rumor: –APNIC will experience significantly higher costs in Australia than in Japan Reality: –Additional costs APNIC faces in Australia are due primarily to increased staff APNIC is currently significantly understaffed –APNIC will face additional costs in Internet connectivity, rent, and utilities as these have been covered by the WIDE project Independence costs money

APNIC Is Financially Unstable Rumor: –APNIC is (or can be made) unstable due to funding problems Reality: –At the end of 1997, APNIC had over US $400,000 in the bank, equivalent to 6 months operational budget The amount of money mandated by the Executive Council –APNIC is not dependent on any single organization for funding NO single organization can influence APNIC