Network questionnaires
A Lincoln Laboratory author complains that ARPANET sites are drowning in questionnaires, and the NCP survey was the last straw.
Kantrowitz, W., "Network questionnaires", RFC 459, DOI 10.17487/RFC0459, February 1973, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc459>.
@misc{rfc459,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 459,
howpublished = {RFC 459},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0459},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc459},
author = {W. Kantrowitz},
title = {{Network questionnaires}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1973,
month = feb,
} RFC text
Network Working Group W. Kantrowitz
RFC: 459 LL-TX-2
NIC: 14379 February 26, 1973
Network Questionnaires
In recent times, a steady stream of questionnaires has been arriving
from the network community. Each questionnaire creates an additional
distraction from more useful work and raises the general annoyance level
somewhat. The arrival of the seven-page NCP questionnaire (RFC 460) has
pushed the annoyance level over the top.
We are wondering if any of the questionnaire polluters has given any
thought to the fact that it takes time to fill out these questionnaires
especially if one wants to do a conscientious job and provide reasonable
answers to questions which are frequently only partially applicable.
It seems rather presumptuous for RFC 460 to provide a lengthy
questionnaire without any explanation as to the motivation for it and
then request a response in two weeks. And tantalize us yet with the
promise of additional questionnaires in the future.
Sites which have the luxury of people who have nothing better to do
than create questionnaires and other meta-work should realize that there
are some sites that operate with limited personnel resources, do have
something better to do, and will get nothing done if they are
continually swamped with all kinds of meta-work.
This material has not been reviewed for public release and is intended
only for use with the ARPA network. It should not be quoted or cited
in any publication not related to the ARPA network.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
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§1The Complaint
RFC 459, from W. Kantrowitz of LL-TX-2, says a steady stream of questionnaires has been arriving from the network community. Each one is an additional distraction from more useful work and raises the general annoyance level somewhat.
The arrival of the seven-page NCP questionnaire, RFC 460, pushed that level over the top.
Too many forms had arrived, and the newest one was the longest.
§2Why It Bothers Sites
The author points out that questionnaires take time to fill out, especially for someone who wants to be conscientious and answer questions that are frequently only partially applicable. He calls it presumptuous for RFC 460 to provide a lengthy questionnaire with no explanation of its motivation and then ask for a response in two weeks, while promising more questionnaires later.
Doing a form properly takes a while, and nobody explained why it was needed.
§3The Appeal
The note ends with a plea: sites with people who have nothing better to do than create questionnaires and other meta-work should realize that some sites run on limited personnel, have something better to do, and will get nothing done if swamped with all kinds of meta-work.
Small teams have real jobs to do, so please do not bury them in paperwork.