[Idna-arabicscript] Reasons for disallowing Arabic script digit mixing at the protocol level

[Ram Mohan]

> I am really shocked about the text you've sent to IETF as 'ASIWG 
> consensus'.

Ali,
Please note, I have not sent it to the IETF as "ASIWG Consensus".  In fact, 
I have written the following: "Inside the ASIWG, earlier discussions 
centered around whether disallowing digit mixing ought to be done at the 
protocol or the application level, considering the risk and potential for 
harm.  A final consensus is being worked on."

I am aware we don't have consensus yet.  But, it's been 3 months since we 
last discussed this topic, and I am glad that my email is prompting this 
topic to be defined and discussed again.  We do need to come to conclusion 
on this area.

In short, I'm trying to "do my job" as co-convener, which is to stir the pot 
and make sure we have an acceptable outcome.

-Ram

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alireza Saleh" <alireza at irnic.ir>
To: "Ram Mohan" <rmohan at afilias.info>
Cc: <idna-update at alvestrand.no>; "Arabic Scripts IDNA" 
<idna-arabicscript at lists.irnic.ir>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Idna-arabicscript] Reasons for disallowing Arabic script digit 
mixing at the protocol level


> Dear Ram,
>
> I am really shocked about the text you've sent to IETF as 'ASIWG 
> consensus'.
> Let me explain:
> 1. How was such consensus reached?! As far as I know, in the last two
> ASIWG meetings no representative of non-Arab language communities using
> the so-called Arabic script were present. In Cairo, Egypt did not issue us
> visas, and no ASIWG meeting was scheduled for Mexico, you just gathered
> whoever you could(all of them Arabic language speakers).
>
> 2. We received a text from you this morning our time and before we could
> react, you send it to IETF as consensus.
>
> 3. Let me point out for those who do not know, that Arabic-language
> speakers represent less than half of the population that uses Arabic
> script as native script.
>
> 4. We have had hot discussions on ASIWG list about numerals without
> reaching consensus.
>
> 5. The text you have sent lacks technical merit; the discussions in the
> IDNA list are well above this in technical detail and sophistication.
> There is nothing in the text that dictates a technical decision at the
> protocol level. All concerns expressed can be easily handled at the
> registry level.
>
> For the reference of the latest discussion about mixing digits please look 
> at idna-arabicscript mailing list archive for November of 2008
> http://lists.irnic.ir/pipermail/idna-arabicscript/2008-November/000317.html
>
> Regards,
> Alireza
>
>
> Ram Mohan wrote:
>> As I wrote yesterday, attached to this note is output from the ASIWG 
>> (Arabic Script IDN Working Group)'s drafting team on Arabic script digit 
>> mixing.  The discussion centers on a "no digit mixing" philosophy to be 
>> implemented at the protocol level.
>>  Inside the ASIWG, earlier discussions centered around whether 
>> disallowing digit mixing ought to be done at the protocol or the 
>> application level, considering the risk and potential for harm.  A final 
>> consensus is being worked on.
>>  -ram
>> ------------------------------------------------------
>> Ram Mohan
>> email: rmohan at afilias.info <mailto:rmohan at afilias.info>
>> office: +1.215.706.5700 | fax: +1.215.706.5701
>> mobile: +1.215.431.0958
>> Skype: gliderpilot30
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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>