RE: [ga] The Future of Domain Registry Pricing, if left uncapped

["Gomes, Chuck" <cgomes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Karl,

I disagree with you that "the internet user has no effective voice in
ICANN".  In my humble opinion, I think they have a very effective voice
through their buying choices.  Certainly in the past that was not the
case because there were not many choices, but that has changed
considerably and hopefully will change even more going forward.

I have been one of those who have always supported user representation
in ICANN policy making processes and I still believe it's all about the
users, but I have come to the conclusion that it may be impossible to
ever adequately represent users.  Someone who I respect a lot made the
observation that Internet users are much too diverse and widespread
around the world to ever be represented in any effective manner through
organizational processes.  That does not mean that efforts should cease
to do so, but whatever actions are taken in that regard should always be
recognized in the context of their real limitations.

I strongly believe that, aside from ensuring security and stability, the
most important thing that ICANN (the Board, ICANN staff, the SO's, the
advisory committees, the users) can do is to continually work toward
providing users more choices and then let them speak through their
buying choices. 

Chuck Gomes
VeriSign Information Services

 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karl Auerbach
> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 12:05 AM
> To: Veni Markovski
> Cc: George Kirikos; ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ga] The Future of Domain Registry Pricing, if 
> left uncapped
> 
> Veni Markovski wrote:
> > At 01:46 PM 08.8.2006 '?.'  -0700, George Kirikos wrote:
> >> Veni,
> 
> > George,
> > Why don't you run for the board, and represent registrants 
> effectively? 
> 
> Uh, ICANN has not allowed anyone to run for the board since 2000.
> 
> ICANN no longer has elections; the internet user has no 
> effective voice 
> in ICANN - and I don't consider the "ALAC" to be anything but 
> a bad joke 
> - particularly when compared to the red carpet that ICANN 
> rolls out for 
> those involved in the domain name business place, big businesses, and 
> the intellectual property industry.
> 
> Also - once on a board, a board member no longer "represents" anyone, 
> but is rather an independent decision maker who must look to the 
> interests of the corporation, and in the case of California 
> public-benefit corporations (such as ICANN) also to look to 
> the interest 
> of the public.
> 
> 		--karl--
> 
> 
>