Opinion Archives - Page 17 of 18

Network Solutions Fails at customer service.

One of my domain names was registered long ago with Network Solutions. Network Solutions charges several times as much per year for registrations as other registrars, so of course I want to transfer away. Hah. But I’m told at times it’s the wrong time of year to make the transfer.

When I do sign in, I’m sent through many screens of upsells and confusing UIs when I try to do anything. I thought I got it right this time, but the transfer failed, perhaps because a confirmation email got caught in a spam filter. Basically, Network Solutions combines the arrogance of the monopolist it once was with the hustle of a desperate upselling cheap suit salesman.

This isn’t ALL Network Solutions’ fault, I’m sure. But I’m frustrated. So I’m venting.

Original article : http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/30095

China Boosts The .CN domain names

“China” will formally enter the global Internet in 2009. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) officially launched “China’s domain name global escalation action” on July 16, according to Chinanews.com.

The main contents of this action are from the day domain name “.China” enters the global root domain name system and all those registered users of “.CN” will automatically receive a corresponding “.China” domain name. Users need not register. Also at this time, all “.China” domain names will automatically synchronize with the “Chinese domain name” global registered root domain name system and can be visited anywhere in the world.

Opinion :

It seems China have already put through a regulatory system which will organise the .CHINA domain extension. China have already taken dominance over germany with the .DE extension becoming second to the .CN. So the question we must ask ourselves will the .CHINA be more popular than say the .GERMANY ?.

Original article : http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6453625.html

If you would like to register your .CN at $5.00 USD for the first year go to

The promotion code is CN608

Uganda domain name takes a step back

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has cooled its interest in taking control of the Uganda country code, .ug.

The country code is registered to and controlled by Charles Musisi, an Internet entrepreneur who has managed Uganda domain names over the past 12 years.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has cooled its interest in taking control of the Uganda country code, .ug.

The country code is registered to and controlled by Charles Musisi, an Internet entrepreneur who has managed Uganda domain names over the past 12 years.

“There is no immediate intention of claiming that domain name,” Patrick Mwesigwa, UCC’s technical manager, said in an interview.

This represents a reversal by UCC, considering that the powerful regulator made its intentions of taking over the domain name known in 2006 in a local media report.

“We think the regulator should be in charge of administration of the domain names to make them cheaper and to achieve universal access of the Internet in the country,” UCC’s Corporate Affairs Manager Fred Otunnu was quoted as saying then.

According to current estimates, there are slightly more than 50,000 Ugandans who regularly use the Internet and at least 100,000 who have e-mail accounts. Records show that Uganda is the largest registry in East Africa and the third-largest on the continent, with 4,000 .ug registered domain name.

Original article : http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/070808-regulator-cools-attempt-to-control.html

The Age Reserves Internet Names

Fairfax , having launched its Perth-based WAtoday.com.au news website on June 10, last week bought the rights to the SAtoday.com.au and AdelaideToday.com.au internet domain names.

The company also bought domain names that are variants on its publications in others cities – SAage.com.au and AdelaideAge.com.au, after Melbourne, SAherald.com.au and AdelaideHerald.com.au, after Sydney and SAtimes.com .au, after its Brisbane news website.

Fairfax , having launched its Perth-based WAtoday.com.au news website on June 10, last week bought the rights to the SAtoday.com.au and AdelaideToday.com.au internet domain names.

News Ltd is the dominant publisher in South Australia, where it produces The Advertiser newspaper and AdelaideNow website, and distributes The Australian newspaper.

Fairfax Digital chief executive Jack Matthews confirmed the SA-themed domain name purchases but said they were among “several hundred” domain names the company owned.

“We’ll clearly reserve a lot of names, either defensively or to reserve our options down the road,” he said. An expansion in to Adelaide would be hindered by Fairfax not owning a radio station in the city – unlike in Perth, where it is able to use its 6PR talk station and 96FM music station for cross-promotion.

Opinion :

The age obviously has done market research on the effects of cyber squatting but in article they have produced put a marketing spin on their domain acquisitions. By reserving potential revenue making domain names stops the Age paying triple the cost through any of the aftermarket sites. In my opinion well done to the age thinking 3 steps ahead.

Original article : http://business.theage.com.au/wa-on-line-sa-next-for-fairfax-20080708-3bxj.html

.IE domain names selling like hotcakes

The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), which manages .ie web domain names for Ireland, said that registrations rose 29pc in 2007. A non-profit organisation, the IEDR said it posted turnover of â¬2.3m in 2007, and a surplus of â¬523,000. During the year, the IEDR relaxed registration rules to allow individuals to register personal .ie domains.

Even as an individual registering a .IE domain name you still must send in requirements that meet registry requirments. As stated in past articles at domain pulse they are one of the safest domain names on the internet. IEDR registry have set up so many different catergories to register your .IE domain name the list can be found :

http://www.iedr.ie/RegistrationPolicy.php

My experience with the registry is that they are very organized very friendly and extremely efficient this would explain the high success that IEDR has reached.

To read the initial article : http://www.independent.ie/business/world/big-rise-in-ie-domain-names-1430019.html

Billion-dollar Domain Industry

The latest ICANN plan to allow the global populace to assemble an entire domain name like www.yourname.yourname as their free-choice is a revolutionary and timely decision. This now open doors to cyber-brands such as my.ibm, hotel.chicago, it.jobs, play.poker, fly.usa or go.dell and applicants will submit a non-refundable fee of US$100 – 500 000 for each name idea and the businesses are already jumping to get started.

A new study estimates that this new registration process would create US$33 billion in fees in the first three years. The prime beneficiaries will be ICANN, which operates as a not-for-profit organisation, but it still would have to deliver a highly structured, high speed service and meet global needs.

Real beneficiaries

Other big recipients will be the worldwide domain registrars and highly specialised experts and lawyers, while the cascading revenues will go to IT and web support organisations. The public at large will become the real beneficiaries as a billion new users will come online, millions of new interactive gateways will open and thousands of new global brands will emerge. This will make a global impact and bring a new face to the global e-commerce. The study also points out how in countries around the world, new national clubs of overnight billion-dollar domain name owners will emerge, all fueling the new global race.

In contrast, for over a decade, and after toying with nickel-and-dime registration fees and fighting over domain names, this mature approach will alter the domain name perceptions for the global business community, as by and large, domain names have been the most grossly overlooked aspect of a name identity assumed to be only to be handled by junior programmers and web designers.

The new registration process has built-in controls and gone will be the days when billion dollar businesses were on their hands and knees when some kid had their domain name squatted for a nickel and had the capability to pull the corporate strings. In those earlier days, at US$70 per domain name, up to a million names per day were being registered. The success was so huge that VeriSign ended up being sold for US$22 billion.

Original article : http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/16/26138.html

Asia Internet Market Soars

According to the Internet analyst company’s latest statement, the regional Internet audience grew at an average of 14 percent during the first half of the year to hit 319 million users. India registered the strongest growth at 27 percent with over 28 million users, followed by China at 14 percent growth with over 102 million, said comScore.

Taiwan and Malaysia also clocked double-digit growth at 12 percent for both. ComScore said the more mature, saturated Internet markets of Japan and Singapore were at the bottom of the list, growth wise.

Additionally, it was found that Internet users in the region spend less time online than the worldwide average, with users in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan spending the most time in the region. Nonetheless, these were still below the worldwide average, said comScore.

To read the original article : http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jul2008/gb2008073_344519.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_global+business

What do you get in a domain name ?

The plan was foolproof.

It started fermenting in our heads after a radical online shakeup was announced this week. As of next year, it seems, we’re going to be freed of the shackles of .com, .net, .org, and their cronies. To date, every Internet address has had to end in such âtop-level domains,â be they generic like .com, or country-specific domains like Canada’s .ca. Under the new rules, however, every top-level domain under the sun will be up for grabs.

The plan was foolproof.

The top level domains will reportedly cost upward of $100,000, one of those funny numbers that’s either two years’ salary or pocket change, depending on where you find yourself. Someone with the wherewithal will be able to buy the .dog domain, and then rent out subdomains to anyone wanting to put up their poodle site in style. Someone else could snap up the .camera domain, and hive off chunks of it to camera makers and photography sites alike.

Original article : http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080703.wgtwebseven0704/BNStory/Technology/home

Domain name Whirlwind

Last weekâs decision to allow companies to buy their own top-level domains (TLDs) has led to press forecasts of a âland-grabâ similar to that of the late 1990s. Nora Nanayakkara, director of business development at domain marketplace SEDO, believes this prospect may be exaggerated.

âYou need substantial means, about $500,000 [Â£250,000] to purchase your own TLD,â says Nanayakkara. Businesses need to step back, evaluate the situation, and decide what benefit they can really draw from this.

âOtherwise the only people to make money out of this will be [domain registrar] ICANN and intellectual property lawyers.â

Nanayakkara claims that previous TLDs such as .pro and .aero have gained limited popularity as consumers stick to what they know, while domains ending in .co.uk or .com are still affordable, attracting average prices of around $3,000 and $2,500 respectively.

Original article : http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news/quirkies/447471/domain-name-rush-20.thtml

The after effects from ICANN Paris

Another article presenting the proceedings from the ICANN meeting in Paris.

Original article by Leslie D`Monte:

Nearly 40 years after the virtual world started, companies and individuals will be able to apply for any address on the Internet and not be limited to just the 21 suffixes like .com (accounting for 80 per cent), .net and .info or country-specific appendages like .in for India.

Top-level domain names till date were restricted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) â an international not-for-profit body that oversees the structure of the Internet. Its board, according to Paul Twomey, president and CEO of ICANN, has now given the go-ahead for total freedom on domain name and the final version is expected to be published in early-2009.

Another article presenting the proceedings from the ICANN meeting in Paris.

Original article by Leslie D`Monte:

Companies and netizens can thus have unlimited choices such as .indian, .mumbai, .delhi, .bangalore, .chennai, . paris, .timbuctoo, .dilipkumar, .amitabhbachhan or .whateveryouwant. Like all desired things, these would come for a price: Rs 40 lakh to Rs 2 crore.

Indian corporate houses like the Tatas, Birlas or Reliance, for instance, could apply for .tata, .birla or .reliance and the fee will not dent their balance sheet. If they get the domain name, they could, in turn, give each employee a .tata or .birla or .reliance email identity.

There are 5 million .info names with around 650,000 added every year, and around 440,000 .in (India) registrations. An increase in clutter might make the .com stand out even more. “The .in domain did not take off, so the new TLDs will not affect the internet and .com will always rule,” said Vijay Mukhi, an Internet expert.

I totally disagree with Mr Mukhi’s stance on the introduction of the new extensions, i believe it will create a more organized internet with a .com at the end of the extension you page could load anything from a auction site to a pornographic site. If a extension has for instance .hotel i would presume that i would be greeted with a hotel site on my screen if typed in the address bar, just as if type .in i would have a web page relating to a Indian company or something related in some way geographically to India.

My Opinion to the article :

These new extensions will effect the dynamics of the internet for some in a good way and others it will complete ruin their professions (domaining/domainers) in my opinion. If the new extensions are released Cyber squatting will be would more than likely abolished and re-selling internet domains back to companies at a premium costs will be a less likely occurrence in the domain industry. As a part time domainer myself i admit i am a little worried, the only security which i have is that the users of the internet will stick with what they know and that is the good old faithful .com.