An early test of the IGF's adherence to open and inclusive procedural values has emerged from an unexpected quarter: the question of how to distribute passes to the opening ceremony, given that around 1500 are expected to wish to attend, but the venue only holds 800.

From my understanding, 100 passes have been set aside for civil society, three have been set aside for each government delegation, 80 have been set aside for the private sector, and some uncertain lesser number for the technical community. How these figures were reached is uncertain.

Adam Peake for the Advisory Group asked for suggestions from the academics assembled at GigaNet as to what would be the most appropriate process by which for civil society's passes to be distributed: should they be distributed on grounds of merit, to those who have organised workshops or the like? Should the first-come, first-served principle apply?

In the end, it has been a combination of approaches. Some passes have been distributed to workshop organisers. Twenty passes were distributed at GigaNet by lottery. Others will be available first thing tomorrow at the registration desk.

Certainly, the process has not been conducted in an optimal manner. But having been present while it was happening, I cannot attribute its shortcomings to any lack of goodwill on the part of the Advisory Group or Secretariat. Rather, they are learning as they go along, as are we all.