[rfc-i] Some questions about the RFC Editor restructuring plan

[john+rfc@jck.com]

--On Wednesday, 12 Aug 2008 20:24:46 -0700 Paul Hoffman 
<paul.hoffman at vpnc.org> wrote:

> That first sentence is hard to parse. How about "The RFC
> Editor has  the authority to direct the Production House to
> implement measures to  maintain the series consistency and
> quality."?

"authority" exists only if the RFC Editor can fire or penalize 
the Production House if they do not comply and comply in a 
satisfactory way.  If the contracts are separate, one either 
needs to give the RFC Editor the ability to direct the IAD to 
direct the Production House or the model needs to include some 
other mechanism to give "authority" and/or "direct" some teeth.

Remember that, especially if the contracts are awarded 
separately, the Production House may be a for-profit (and 
potentially "low-bid" activity, with every incentive to control 
costs in ways that might be incompatible with the RFC Editor's 
norms for quality.

    john