RE: [ga] VeriSign & Korean IDN.com issues

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

VeriSign implemented the Web-based navigation system in January 2003.
The system was implemented as a temporary bridging solution to improve
the user experience by providing distribution of the i-Nav(tm) plug-in
until software that supported the Internationalized Domain Name (IDNs)
standards was more readily available.  The i-Nav plug-in is a tool that
users can download and use to navigate IDNs at the browser level.  

Because an increasing number of browsers now support IDNs, on July 25,
2007, VeriSign completed the decommissioning of its Web-based navigation
system as a distribution mechanism for the i-Nav plug-in.  VeriSign
notified all registrars in May 2007 that the decommissioning would take
place.

It is important to note that VeriSign has not decommissioned the i-Nav
plug-in.  In fact, the i-Nav plug-in is still available for download and
remains supported by VeriSign, (To download the i-Nav plug-in visit
www.idnnow.com.)  

The decommissioning of the Web-based navigation system had no impact to
the current users of the i-Nav plug-in or IDN-enabled browsers.
However, for those who are not using the i-Nav plug-in or an IDN-enabled
browser, VeriSign strongly recommends they install an IDN-enabled
browser of their choice to continue to enjoy navigating the Web using
IDNs in their own language. A few sample browsers currently supporting
IDNs are as follows:

*	Microsoft Internet Explorer
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx  
Platform: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Version: 7.0 and higher 
 
*	Netscape Navigator (English only)
URL: http://browser.netscape.com/ns8/  
Platform: Windows 
Version: 7.0 and higher 

*	Opera Web Browser
URL: http://www.opera.com 
Platform: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Version: 7.2 and higher

*	Firefox
URL: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ 
Platform: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux 
Version: 0.6 and higher 

For those users who wish to continue to use older versions of Microsoft
Internet Explorer such as Internet Explorer 5 or 6, VeriSign's i-Nav
plug-in is still available for download at http://www.idnnow.com. This
plug-in will continue to be a valuable add-on for Internet Explorer 5 or
6 running on old versions of Windows platforms such as Windows 98, NT
and 2000. 

Chuck Gomes
 
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Danny Younger
> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 8:03 AM
> To: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ga] VeriSign & Korean IDN.com issues
> 
> Posted to ICANN's Public Partiocipation Website:
> 
> Hello, I'm a server manager in a Korean web hosting company.
> The recently big obstacle occurs in connection of 
> Hangul(Korean alphabet) .com domain. Currently 92% of the 
> Korean Internet users when using the Hangul.com and 
> Hangul.net domain which is registered can only see the 
> message "Page cannot be displayed". Before previously 20th 
> passed, it does not same current status.
> 
> So, All of Hangul IDNs registrants are put on the serious 
> monetary damage and broken fame of their site.
> I asked a cause in various registrar and found out that is 
> discontinues i-nav navigation server operations which the 
> Verisign operates from Korea and the various area does.
> 
> Verisign positions which I listen from Korean registrars is, 
> because MS released ie 7.0, there are not necessity to 
> operating i-nav navigation.
> But this judgement is to be incorrect at least in Korea.
> 
> After release of MS ie 7.0 at 2006 November, world-wide 4 
> browsers all under supporting IDNs. But 93% of the Korean 
> Internet users as yet is using ie6.0. If there is not i-nav 
> navigation, millions of domain will not be able to use entirely.
> 
> Because of i-nav navigation, although MS did not update 
> against ie IDNs after IDNs international standard published, 
> Hangul IDN service is possible.
> Currently the connection of the Hangul .com and Hangul .net 
> IDN in Korea absolutely depends in i-nav navigation. 
> 
> Unlike with Europe or the United States, only 7.34% Korean 
> use the browser which support IDNs. 99% of the Korean 
> Internet users use MS Internet Explorer, but market share of 
> 7.0 versions which support IDNs still stop in 6.8%. And IE 
> 7.0 has not in prospect to automatic update in near future In Korea.
> From Friday which passes, when Korea 92.5% Internet user 
> inputs Hangul .com in the address window, they does not get 
> any result , or, on top of that they moved toward the 
> dangerous fishing site. Of course, to previously that also 
> these users will be able to visit a Hangul .com and Hangul 
> .net site through i-nav web navigation server.
> 
> Because well to know Korean Internet environment the KRNIC 
> which is Korean ccTLD registry operates a difference server 
> for Hangul.kr domain will be able to connected right site 
> without help of browser. Verisign judged i-nav navigation 
> server retirement at least without consideration about this situation.
> 
> Follows Korean registrars, they are sending a request 
> Verisign. But it is difficult situation expecting positive 
> answer. If this disconnection of Hangul.com and Hangul.net 
> domain is continued, it will bring result which put the 
> thousands of registrant on enormous loss and, lose the 
> foundation of IDNs from hereafter Korea.
> 
> Based on these facts, I proposes ICANN and Verisign to know 
> about seriousness of problem and to take the appropriate 
> management. I expects your countermove with deep 
> consideration the universality of domain and Internet.
> 
> Thank you for reading my poor English.
> 
> * the statistical data which it refers to be referred from 
> www.internettrend.co.kr reports.
> 
> http://public.icann.org/forums/public-forum#comment-321
> 
> 
>        
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