Petition: Why the new gTLDs are a bad idea
Here are some reasons I compiled on why generic top level domains are a disaster waiting to happen. I hope the members of ICANN read this and put it into consideration. Feel free to add, discuss, rant, or whatever.
TM nightmare
Trademark owners would have to secure their mark in every extension as a defensive mechanism. That is very costly and major corps have already spoken loudly.
-Verizon vice president Sarah Deutsch calls it a “huge waste of corporate resources”
-The trademark issues are not so clear cut. There are “gray” areas and then there are “grey” areas. Does InsureMe.com have any rights to Insure.Me?
User confusion
Info.Cars or Cars.Info? Singles.Love or Love.Singles?
With names like these, we might as well type in the IP address.
The domain name system was originally in place for convenience – so that users would not have to memorize a string of numbers. (From addresses to phone numbers, we have enough to remember as is) It is then will it become a huge “non profit” cash cow.
Dot com or just a dot?
Most people have gotten used to the idea that www is the Internet prefix and .com is the Internet suffix. All you need to say is AnyKeyWord.com and even the least tech savvy have a vague idea of the web.
With the new system, the only thing new domains will have in common with each other is the dot. It will be that one tiny dot that will tell users it’s an Internet site. That will force radio announcers to say that excruciating prefix “Double U, double u, double u” out loud.” Instead of “Visit us at Business.com, it's Visit us a www.business.money. A lot of the traffic will go to money.com
Just the dot does not give closure to the message like a .com, a .net, or a .gov. Even though I have a lot of bad things to say about the custom TLDs I am a big supporter of dot web for that very reason. I have a hunch people are still going to attach that .com to whatever is advertised without an obvious suffix.
Technology Changes Fast. People’s habits don’t
Case and Point –Toll Free numbers American Idol is one of the most watched TV shows in the states. At the end of the show, watchers can vote for their favorite singer. During every episode, views have to be reminded these numbers are 1-866 not 1-800 numbers. And still, viewers still dial the wrong number…
Name Change, any one?
In my honest opinion, the new gTLDs are like this: Let’s say I get my name legally changed to Mike next week. I wonder if my friends will call me Mike. People’s perception of a web address will similarly not adjust as well. Think celebrities: P.Diddy is still Puff Daddy. Don’t get me started with Prince. Now think business. Think Macy’s department store: The US chain went from Hudson’s, to Marshall Fields, to now what is known as Macy’s. But still, older folks like my father still call it Hudson’s.
Now this may seem like a silly analogy but domaining is the industry of names and name changes. After all, whether you thought it was Macy’s or Hudson’s you still arrive at the same building. However, with a domain name a single slip and you arrive at a completely different location.
ICANN’S wrong priorities
Instead of investing time and money in this chaos waiting to happen ICANN should be concerned with keeping the Internet’s network architecture from collapsing. AT &T’s vice president has said that 130 billion in investments is needed to keep the networks stable three years from now. HD Video is predicted to make up most of the traffic and at this rate the net needs a makeover.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions. Don't shoot me.
Here are some reasons I compiled on why generic top level domains are a disaster waiting to happen. I hope the members of ICANN read this and put it into consideration. Feel free to add, discuss, rant, or whatever.
TM nightmare
Trademark owners would have to secure their mark in every extension as a defensive mechanism. That is very costly and major corps have already spoken loudly.
-Verizon vice president Sarah Deutsch calls it a “huge waste of corporate resources”
-The trademark issues are not so clear cut. There are “gray” areas and then there are “grey” areas. Does InsureMe.com have any rights to Insure.Me?
User confusion
Info.Cars or Cars.Info? Singles.Love or Love.Singles?
With names like these, we might as well type in the IP address.
The domain name system was originally in place for convenience – so that users would not have to memorize a string of numbers. (From addresses to phone numbers, we have enough to remember as is) It is then will it become a huge “non profit” cash cow.
Dot com or just a dot?
Most people have gotten used to the idea that www is the Internet prefix and .com is the Internet suffix. All you need to say is AnyKeyWord.com and even the least tech savvy have a vague idea of the web.
With the new system, the only thing new domains will have in common with each other is the dot. It will be that one tiny dot that will tell users it’s an Internet site. That will force radio announcers to say that excruciating prefix “Double U, double u, double u” out loud.” Instead of “Visit us at Business.com, it's Visit us a www.business.money. A lot of the traffic will go to money.com
Just the dot does not give closure to the message like a .com, a .net, or a .gov. Even though I have a lot of bad things to say about the custom TLDs I am a big supporter of dot web for that very reason. I have a hunch people are still going to attach that .com to whatever is advertised without an obvious suffix.
Technology Changes Fast. People’s habits don’t
Case and Point –Toll Free numbers American Idol is one of the most watched TV shows in the states. At the end of the show, watchers can vote for their favorite singer. During every episode, views have to be reminded these numbers are 1-866 not 1-800 numbers. And still, viewers still dial the wrong number…
Name Change, any one?
In my honest opinion, the new gTLDs are like this: Let’s say I get my name legally changed to Mike next week. I wonder if my friends will call me Mike. People’s perception of a web address will similarly not adjust as well. Think celebrities: P.Diddy is still Puff Daddy. Don’t get me started with Prince. Now think business. Think Macy’s department store: The US chain went from Hudson’s, to Marshall Fields, to now what is known as Macy’s. But still, older folks like my father still call it Hudson’s.
Now this may seem like a silly analogy but domaining is the industry of names and name changes. After all, whether you thought it was Macy’s or Hudson’s you still arrive at the same building. However, with a domain name a single slip and you arrive at a completely different location.
ICANN’S wrong priorities
Instead of investing time and money in this chaos waiting to happen ICANN should be concerned with keeping the Internet’s network architecture from collapsing. AT &T’s vice president has said that 130 billion in investments is needed to keep the networks stable three years from now. HD Video is predicted to make up most of the traffic and at this rate the net needs a makeover.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions. Don't shoot me.
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