Department of Commerce questioning ICANN's gTLD Intent

[Domain Jedi]

If it were up to me, it'd be just com/net/org

I have invested in other gTLDs however, I would be just fine with Com/Net/Org

[Rubber Duck]

Lets scrap IDNs

Hmmm.... Not been raving a little too often have we?

Terrible thing Paranoia!

[DNWizardX9]

All other languages don't count... We have landed on pretty much every country and have inputted our anglo saxon beliefs......

India, United States etc ;-)

::sarcasm:: Duck... take a chill pill

[Rubber Duck]

All other languages don't count... We have landed on pretty much every country and have inputted our anglo saxon beliefs......

India, United States etc ;-)

::sarcasm:: Duck... take a chill pill

I am chilled. I saw this whole economy thing coming.

The US economy is busted flush that will take at least a decade to repair, and if the democrats aren't careful, they could end up doing more harm than good.

It is this kind of arrogant short-sighted mind-set that will need to be ironed out before significant progress can even be contemplated.

[DNBA]

Other interesting points of view:

Microsoft, Time Warner, Others Weigh In On New TLDs

Here are some of the comments:

Microsoft: As a practical matter, Microsoft objects to the introduction of new ASCII gTLDs for several reasons. History suggests that the introduction of new ASCII gTLDs will not result in true competition…the introduction of potentially hundreds of new ASCII gTLDs is far more likely to threaten the security and stability of the Internet as a commercial platform than to ensure it.

Time Warner: ICANN needs to examine seriously for whose benefit the proposed new gTLD round is being launched. If it is truly for the benefit of the “next billion” Internet users around the globe, then the launch should focus on IDN TLDs to serve populations that have historically been excluded from full participation in the Internet in their native tongues. If after the launch of new IDN TLDs ICANN can demonstrate that there remains a strong need for additional gTLDs, only then should it consider the launch of such extensions.

US Chamber of Commerce: The new gTLD program will introduce significant threats to businesses and consumers without clear evidence of counterbalancing benefits…ICANN has provided little persuasive evidence that establishment of additional gTLDs will provide competition against .com addresses.

Internet Commerce Association: The new gTLD process must not be used to resurrect much less validate the concept of differential pricing by registries; any exceptions to this policy must only be for a carefully circumscribed group of “closed” registries subject to strict numerical registration limits.

Bank of America: We strongly believe that ICANN is proceeding too hastily to enable the unlimited expansion of new generic Top Level Domain names…We do not believe there is significant demand from businesses or consumers for additional gTLDs to host commercial sites. The dot com gTLD is the preeminent top level domain in the world. No other commercially-oriented domain comes close to dot com in popularity, whether measured by the number of registered domain names or by the amount of user traffic.

this is the first time ill agree with all of these companies. IDNs are already to close to ASCII to tell the difference. At times, I have a hard time seeing the difference. Soon enough the dark side of domining will come forward and make all of us look bad. I can understand a few like .XXX or .game (easy to protect kids) and IDN extentions that are far apart form similar ASCII characters.

the only other additional downside i see is that its going to make the internet a larger place and its large enough. maybe release a new gTLD every 2-3 years.

What i dont get is why we need them. we already have so many crappy extensions to deal with. The situation is like having the US build man made islands off of the coasts when we have so much room in the middle.

[bwhhisc]

IDNs are already to close to ASCII to tell the difference. At times, I have a hard time seeing the difference. Soon enough the dark side of domining will come forward and make all of us look bad.

The majority of IDN scripts from languages around the world look NOTHING at all like the English alphabet.
ie. Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Bangla, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. etc.

[Rubber Duck]

The majority of IDN scripts from languages around the world look NOTHING at all like the English alphabet.
ie. Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Bangla, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. etc.

Yep, most so called professional domainers are still clueless about the revolution that is going to sweep the Internet.

Anyway, I am sure Dot Com God won't be very enthusiastic about getting them banned. He has more than I have, and his exposure to the Latin script is infinitely greater than mine.

Finally, this presumption that Americans are going to dictate the Internet is going to have to go away along with the occupation of Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. If America is ever going to reinvent itself so that it can once more become an economic powerhouse, then a lot of attitudes are going to have to change. And that means starting with cleaning up US Government Statistics so the people actually have a meaningful picture of what is actually going down. You think China is subject to propaganda?

The days when the nation could make a living out Sugary Carbonated Water and Hamburgers where half the price is down the advertising budget are over.
The advertising World is currently being turned on its head, simply because the current model doesn't work. If you think this kind of change is radical, wait until you are competing in a World where the US is widely regarded as being a bunch of Hasbeens with an economic model that simply doesn't work. Soon nobody is going to want to hold the currency, and certainly nobody is going to make any great effort to use the language unless they are on the winning end of the deal. Sure the Chinese and Japanese will continue to market to you in English. But will it work the other way around?

[Acro]

The greatest thing about America is that un-American comments like Duck's can be tolerated.

[Rubber Duck]

The greatest thing about America is that un-American comments like Duck's can be tolerated.

I'll start taking their democratic credentials seriously when it doesn't all hinge around who has the biggest bank balance. Even with Obama, it was not about votes so much as dollars.

Handing Bush and Cheney over to a war crimes tribunal would obviously go a long way to putting most people's minds at rest. Despite all the rhetoric, these too were pretty Pally with Pakistan, until they managed to get themselves a democratically elected government. I am also very interested in why they are so keen on continuity in Guinea. Is that also based on democratic credentials, or is it down to mineral wealth?

[Gerry]

Soon enough the dark side of domining will come forward and make all of us look bad.

the only other additional downside i see is that its going to make the internet a larger place

What i dont get is why we need them. we already have so many crappy extensions to deal with.

The dark side has already shown itself many times over. This is perhaps the darkest so far.

When you have this many companies come out against something (and companies with clout) then it is time for ICANN to take notice. My gut tells me this is certainly not the end of this conversation. I believe at this point it would be very prudent for ICANN to conduct further studies (which I honestly believe is a waste of time, also. A money grab is a money grab and why study anything?)

The biggest downside I see is the internet may be on the cusp of becoming the most confusing and crowded space we have ever experienced. There are already more than 260 TLD's and ccTLD's. How about 2600?

At the same time, I do see the validity of the IDN. The english language may be the "de facto" language (at present) to conduct business, but I can not see that continuing.

The most logical solution to me would be the need for browsers that are capable of auto detecting. If we could set our browsers to a default language, what ever that language is that we prefer, then all sites - no matter what the root language is - would auto translate.

Certainly this can not be far off. There is a way to do it now. Using one of my own sites as an example, if you go to ceuq.com and click on one of the country flags in the top left menu - not only does the page change to the chosen language, but each subsequent page AND EACH LINK's HOME SITE AND THEIR LINKS AS WELL

The google translation is not perfect. But it beats the hell out of something sitting next to you interpreting every single word.

The point about "crappy extensions" is a mute issue. If this ICANN proposal goes unchecked, then crappy or not will not even be an issue.

The only issue will be, "Have you got the money?"

[Rubber Duck]

The auto translate is effectively almost here.

If you put your URL into Google translate the translator follows through all the links translating as it goes.

However, just as we in the West want to be certain that we are ending up where we want to end up, then those in the East want the certainty that they are not end up at a phishing site. Of course there are pluses and minuses but on balance IDN will provide more protection against phishing than it provides opportunity. Unfortunately, those that will be most adversely effected are the Americans, who are making the most fuss, and also have the most clout.
An excellent opportunity, to do the really selfish thing and get despised even more than at present.

[Gerry]

The auto translate is effectively almost here.

If you put your URL into Google translate the translator follows through all the links translating as it goes.

Yes, I agree. But eliminating that step of having to select each time would be a huge huge plus and make the browser that can do this would effectively -in my opionion- hands down would become the most widely used browser/search engine in the world.

Yet, I am also keenly aware of nationalism and pride and a strong push for IDN by China and India.

I just can not see ICANN ignoring the IDN issue any longer. Nor can I see India or China taking NO for an answer.

[Rubber Duck]

Neither will the US Government unless they want to be wholly reliant on Fed printing presses.

Taking the piss out of your bank manager is never a smart move.