Re: [ga] BBC article on New tlds

[sotiris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Either this is a joke or another example of an ICANN cash grab disguised
as a 'good thing'. The cost for the domain applications ("several
thousands") along with the technical capacity and know-how requirements
(tens if not hundreds of thousands...) will ensure that already entrenched
players will end up with the most coveted natural language or acronym
strings in every language, while everyone else will be watching helplessly
from the sidelines. Furthermore, this will serve to make a mess of things
like search engine algorithms and other existing internet layers which are
vital to many existing Internet business models. If they really feel that
such an expansion is a good (and necessary) thing, then it should be a
free-for all without applications and restrictions, much like the original
"landrush" registrations for COM and NET in 1998. Anything else is simply
a shameless cash grab from an organization that already takes in much more
money than it requires to fulfill its "limited technical role".

Sotiris Sotiropoulos


> Would anyone like to evaluate this news article form the BBC in UK?
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7468855.stm
>
> Basically, has the reporter summarised an accurate picture of what ICANN
> is committing to bring into effect?
>
> best wishes,
>
> Richard Henderson