[rfc-i] On Authors, Contributors, Editors, and overload.

[Olaf Kolkman (Acting RFC Series Editor)]

On Sep 20, 2011, at 5:36 PM, Dave CROCKER wrote:

> 
> 
> On 9/20/2011 3:23 AM, Julian Reschke wrote:
>> it's great that this finally gets attention.
> 
> 
> Given the recent flurry of interest in the topic, yes it is good to get RSE attention on it.
> 
> However I think things need to be explained more and better.
> 
> We've gone more than 40 years without formally needing the Contributor section.  What has changed, really?  Historically, contributors are listed in the Acknowledgements section.  Why is a separate section needed?


A short answer:

Contributor sections are not new. Calling out Contributing Authors is. 

We have seen a number of cases where authors are frustrated because they are referred to as merely "Contributors" and repeated arguments by the RFC Editor did not change their mind.

After a few exceptions some clarity an consistency was needed hence this text.


--Olaf