FYI on FYI: Introduction to the FYI Notes
RFC 1150
Document | Type |
RFC - Historic
(March 1990; Errata)
Obsoleted by RFC 6360
|
|
---|---|---|---|
Authors | Gary Malkin , Joyce Reynolds | ||
Last updated | 2020-01-21 | ||
Stream | Legacy stream | ||
Formats | plain text html pdf htmlized (tools) htmlized with errata bibtex | ||
Stream | Legacy state | (None) | |
Consensus Boilerplate | Unknown | ||
RFC Editor Note | (None) | ||
IESG | IESG state | RFC 1150 (Historic) | |
Telechat date | |||
Responsible AD | (None) | ||
Send notices to | (None) |
Network Working Group G. Malkin Request for Comments: 1150 Proteon FYI: 1 J. Reynolds ISI March 1990 F.Y.I. on F.Y.I. Introduction to the F.Y.I. Notes Status of this Memo This RFC is the first in a new sub-series of RFCs called FYIs (For Your Information). This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify any standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. 1. Introduction The FYI series of notes is designed to provide Internet users with a central repository of information about any topics which relate to the Internet. FYIs topics may range from historical memos on "Why it was was done this way" to answers to commonly asked operational questions. The FYIs are intended for a wide audience. Some FYIs will cater to beginners, while others will discuss more advanced topics. An FYI may be submitted by anyone who has something to contribute and has the time to do so. 2. Why RFCs There are several reasons why the FYIs are part of the larger RFC series of notes. The formost reason is that the distribution mechanisms for RFCs are tried and true. Anyone who can get an RFC, can automatically get an FYI. More importantly, anyone who knows of the RFC series, can easily find out about the FYIs. Another reason for making FYIs part of the RFC series is that the maintainance mechanisms for RFCs are already in place and funded. It makes sense to maintain similar documents is a similar way. After all, there have been informational RFCs before. Finally, the name RFC has come to carry a meaning with it. There is credibility associated memos carrying the RFC label. FYIs should share that respect. Malkin & Reynolds [Page 1] RFC 1150 F.Y.I. on F.Y.I. March 1990 3. Format Rules Since the FYIs are a part of the RFC series, they must conform to RFC-1111 (Request for Comments on Request for Comments: Instructions to RFC Authors) with respect to format. Ideally, they should be submitted in ASCII format, as described by section 2a, of RFC-1111. 4. Status Statement Each RFC must include on its first page the "Status of this Memo" section which contains a paragraph describing the intention of the RFC. This section is meant to convey the status granted by the RFC Editor and the Internet Activities Board (IAB). There are several reasons for publishing a memo as an RFC, for example, to make available some information for interested people, or to begin or continue a discussion of an interesting idea, or to make available the specification of a protocol. For example: This RFC is the first in a new sub-series of RFCs called FYIs (For Your Information). This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify any standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. 5. Distribution Statement Each FYI is to also include a "distribution statement". As the purpose of the FYI series is to disseminate information, there is no reason for the distribution to be anything other than "unlimited". Typically, the distribution statement will simply be the sentence "Distribution of this memo is unlimited." appended to the "Status of this Memo" section. 6. Security Considerations All FYIs must contain a section that discusses the security considerations of the procedures that are the main topic of the RFC. 7. Author's Address Each FYI must have at the very end a section giving the author's address, including the name and postal address, the telephone number, and the Internet email address. Malkin & Reynolds [Page 2] RFC 1150 F.Y.I. on F.Y.I. March 1990 8. Relation to other FYIs Sometimes an FYI adds information on a topic discussed in a previous FYI or completely replaces an earlier FYI. There are two terms used for these cases respectively, UPDATES and OBSOLETES. A document that obsoletes an earlier document can stand on its own. A document that merely updates an earlier document cannot stand on its own; it is something that must be added to or inserted into the existing document, and has limited usefulness independently. UPDATES To be used as a reference from a new item that cannot be used alone (i.e., one that supplements a previous document), to refer to the previous document. The newer publication is a part that will supplement or be added on to the existing document; e.g., anShow full document text