How long will domains last?

[AzN]

This is a very interested question I been having:
How much longer will domains last?

Like in a few decades, there might not be internet, domains, etc but there will be other ways of accessing data sources. Hmmmm

 

[Web Master]

Interesting topic.

Personally, I think domain names will be as long as human beings existence in the world. Domain names are, and will be the major addresses and dominant traditions of the Internet.

Domain names will be more and more important and valuable, especially those good ones.

 

[000]

I voted for "The internet will always be the same", not because I agree that it won't change, but I think that some sort of domain names will always be required. Some people may argue that some sort of voice system may take over, but I don't see that happening because there are some many domains that can't be pronounced, etc.

But really, no one knows...it's just speculation.

 

[ofclean]

Think about phone numbers. Domain names just make sense.

 

[The Stealthy One]

The Internet will always be the same! DNS is the very core, basic part of the Internet that remains, quite frankly, untouchable! So don't worry about your domain investments. They'll be safe.

 

[mirrorcube]

I agree, interesting thought question. Heres my quick view on this. What creates a society and everything in it, is a communication system. Domains have a key role is the most powerful communcations system, which is a network of networks. No matter what medium, be it TV, Radio, Internet, etc, that basic fact is we need categories and a labeling method. We can access these labels in any way we want but we need that labels to categorize things. So if voice browsing hits big we will still need domains. If we search the net with our TV, Cell Phone, we will need domains. We can always convert to the numerical identification to locate things on the Internet but domains label it into words. Why would we ever convert back to numbers, therefore domains are here to stay. That is of course if you can transfer info telekinetically or through osmosis.

 

[domaindigger]

How long will domains last?

For as long as us humans continue to call each other by our first and last names.

 

[snoop]

Would guess about 20 years, eventually something better will come out to replace domains. This is a much faster moving area than traditional addressing systems.

 

[mirrorcube]

Snoop any specific ideas? What would replace them?

 

[RegisterRants]

The status quo, domain names, WILL fade. When? Who knows. Maybe when the rapture comes...some guy will set up www.theraptureisherenoweverybodywilldieahhh.com :lol:

Seriously...its like rotary/touch tone dialing. The concept will stay the same, the implementation will differ :imho:

By the way...I don't want that domain. Take it.

Secondary: The use of the rapture was a joke...no religious connections.

 

[IconPacks]

Intriguing question... I agree with Mirrorcube for the most part, as long as we need to categorize things and give them labels the concept of a "domain" will be around in some form or another.

Extension-wise we might see some flexibility, kinda of like a first and last name. Domains might utilize a primary and secondary ID, so you could pick anything before the "dot" and anything after, as long as it was unique. (e.g. sams.house)

Domains would still translate to a numerical address system (most likely IPv6 for some time to come) This would allow for every device you use (even trivial ones) to be assigned a unique IP.

There will always be a need for unique identification.

In the future I believe we will have a mass convergence of media, enabling technology to be truly seamless and integrated into our daily lives, for example a ring on our finger will be our pc/tv/communication device, with a choice of holographic/projection and voice activated control. Or just something as simple as a piece of paper we unfold and draw all our information into, then fold back up and put in our pocket.

Internet connectivity will be worldwide - complete wireless coverage, every household device bought will be internet-enabled and you will set a type of ownership on this device adding it to your personal "domain" and linking it with all the other devices you own in your personal network.

Networks might even evolve in such a way as to carry out real-time searching for your query through personal agents, so instead of searching a central database, the network IS the database (think your own personal Google providing up-to-the-second information).

Identification will still be required though to find this wealth of information, like a street address you need to know where to look, that's why however they change the method of access you still need a unique address system of some kind.

Hmm... no idea if any of what I mentioned will come to pass, but it's fun to speculate

 

[snoop]

Snoop any specific ideas? What would replace them?

No idea.

 

[mirrorcube]

Icon i dont think you far off by any means, in fact what you talk about will come in some form of another in the future. The personal database idea is just an extension of RSS feeds, but instead of articles it will be full blown content with all kinds of multimedia. But these databases will need to be addressed if you want outside data to be downloaded into your personal database, unless the future allows for unidentifiable intranets. Seeing how everything is tracked including us humans at birth with SS numbers i dont see that happening too much. I think as we get more and more technology labeling systems will change in one major way, tracking of what happens on each ip will be super accurate.

As for wireless broadband i know Philadelphia is working on a city wide wireless braodband network looking to complete it by 2009 i believe, so that is in full swing in the US right now.

And I agree it is fun to speculate, but isnt that one of the big reasons why we are domainers?

 

[Jo]

I voted "The internet will always be the same"...I like that answer the best.

My prediction for the future: FAT people...more and more people will be sitting at home on their arses, eating, drinking and doing something on their computers or holo devices or gaming thingies. FAT! 8-X :lol:

 

[cache]

the unique IP address is not an asset, but the shorter name is. As long as we still use the character language to communicate, the domain name will always have value. Is a shorter name a lot more valueable? Then it is harder to say, the SRAM memory or disk space was very expensive 10 years ago thus a more compact computer was highly rated. Now with cheaper memory, a more structured language or high level language such as the inefficient java is popular.

 

[mirrorcube]

No Kerri i predict calorie free cheesecake. lol

 

[Jo]

No Kerri i predict calorie free cheesecake. lol

Hmmm but will probably taste like crap! :D

 

[HcDomains]

I believe that "The internet will always be the same"

 

[acc]

A long, long time with periodic retooling

The internet and domain names will be around for our lifetimes at least. :imho:

Both individuals and businesses will always need to communicate and fit into a societal structure but also show that they are unique at the same time. There needs to be some sort of easily found way by which information is accessible if we are to continue to communicate successfully.

Using a visual "address" is the best way to guarantee that you get to what you are looking for, whether it be a domain name, IP address, or someting like a barcode. Domain names seem to be the easiest to remember for the human mind. Voice recognition has a long way to go to be accurate and has its limitations. There are thousands of dialects, language nuances, accents, branded company and product spellings, etc, that require us to have a visual way to guarantee that we make contact and find the correct information.

That being said, I'd suggest renewing your :gn: through 2008 ...... at least .....
PS - And now that the mobile internet is here, maybe you CAN really take it with you .....
PPS - Contrarary to some opinions, that's the only way the .mobis will ever be six feet under ...IMHO
-acc
.

 

[tjoseph]

I don't think the Internet will always be the same, but I think this system could last 31-50 more years. We are already 20 years into the current system. The phone network has evolved a lot over the last 100 years. It went from operators manually patching phone calls and party lines, to pulse dialing systems with rotory dialers, to touch tone button dialers, and now VOIP systems are taking over. With VOIP we still dial phone numbers today, but we don't have to. There is no reason that VOIP systems couldn't be developed t connect to other VOIP systems by domain name or some other naming system instead.

Tom