Re: [ga] On Its Way: One of the Biggest Changes to the Internet

[JFC Morfin <jefsey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 18:08 11/10/2007, Danny Younger wrote:
> Ted raises an interesting point regarding usability.
> My questions for the experts among us:
>
> (1) Will e-mail work between an IDN domain and an
> ASCII domain?
> (2) If the current WHOIS system only accomodates
> ASCII, will the WHOIS properly function in an IDN
> environment?
Danny,
IDNs are a pure ICANN joke based on an IETF proposition named IDNA. 
The "A" stands for applications. This means that the IETF has created 
a left to right hierarchy within the DNS right to left hierarchy in 
creating a new zone separator, hence many new possible namespaces. 
One of these namespace is supposed to be IDNs for user applications 
supporting IDNA
Let me explain that in practical lay terms. Today domain names are 
made of labels separated by a ".", the top level being on the right 
end, the second level at the left of the top level, the third level 
at the left of the second level, and so on. The "." acts as a label 
external separator, connecting two labels. We all know that right to 
left hierarchy.
IETF has created the "--" internal separator to the label. This means 
that we now have the DN as "left_label_part--right_label_part.tld", 
you can also develop into "llp3--rlp3.llp2--rlp2.llp1--rlp1" for a 
3rd level DN. By convention if llp2="xn" this is an IDN. There is 
absolutely no change to the DNS and DNS related tools.
The IDNA (application) is what is going to use "xn--y.z" formatted 
DNs in a special way. These applications have nothing specific to do 
with the Internet or the DNS. I can take the Firefox IDN Extension 
software, and even maybe the IE binary code and replace "xn" by "dy" 
to create the DYNA (Danny Younger's Naming Architecture). And you can 
start making a lot of money.
You may even create "dy--ny" as a DYccTLD for NY, ask Joe to put it 
on open roots and agree with NY ISP to support it, with a convention 
supported in the DYNA application for accepting "$" as the danycode 
equivalent for "dy--ny", and use the DYDN "$.$.$" the DNS will know 
as "dy--ny.dy--ny.dy--ny". You can even sell it to NY city?
Now, if you also make a deal with newNet, this can work everywhere 
tomorrow with their plugin which will translate your entry into 
"dy--ny.dy--ny.dy--ny.new.net". Works just fine with mails if the 
plug-in works, etc. And you may even have your $@$.$ mail address.
You have to remember that the DNS is NO part of the Internet (which 
is TCP/IP). It is an application running a service. And that in this 
DNS application ICANN is related to a very small portion of the DNS 
namespace which is the "IN" class. The reason why we do not use all 
the DNS possibility is purely because the M$ resolvers want it. The 
real boss is Bill Gates. The real problem is that there is no GPL 
Windows resolver. It would probably take one month to someone to 
develop and test it (Windows is nasty) and there would be ICANN and 
Registars no more.
This is why ICANN is not excited about IDNs. They could help people 
eventually understand. The DNS root is the biggest bluff of the century.
Please understand the problem is not with the name space and the 
domain name concept. It is with the money that so many people want to 
make with it.
jfc