Power grab could split the Internet!

[RJ]

For the first time in its history, the Internet is running a real risk of fracturing into multiple and perhaps even incompatible networks.

At a meeting in Geneva last week, the Bush administration objected to the idea of the United Nations running the top-level servers that direct traffic to the master databases of all domain names.

That's not new, of course--the administration has been humming this tune since June. What's changed in the last few months is the response from the rest of the world.

Instead of acquiescing to the Bush administration's position, the European Union cried foul last week and embraced greater U.N. control. A spokesman said that the EU is "very firm on this position."

Other nations were equally irked. Russia, Brazil and Iran each chimed in with statements saying that no "single government" should have a "pre-eminent role" in terms of Internet governance.

Do read the full article here:

http://news.com.com/2010-1071-5886556.html?tag=tb

Important issue here for all domain name owners!

I'm not sure how this is going to play out, but things could get ugly if no one is willing to compromise and the domain name system is split into different services.

I know the words "Bush administration" can cause a knee-jerk urge for some people to post something nasty, but stop and consider -- do you really want the United Nations managing the domain name system?

 

[PolurNET]

Pros and Cons come to mind, but espcially one con: unfair world-power superiority control; what happens if the US loses its superpower position in the future to a country like China?

 

[vip-ip]

Pros and Cons come to mind, but espcially one con: unfair world-power superiority control; what happens if the US loses its superpower position in the future to a country like China?

If that happens PolurNET will have to start accepting chinese PayPal, something like cheechandchong.com

 

[RJ]

Taken to the worst case scenario, the US would have its own Internet which would only let you visit US based domains and the rest of the World would have a seperate Internet, and the two would be incompatible with each other.

I really can't see this happening. Imagine the mess that would be created if .COM suddenly became only accessible from the United States. Would people in Europe have something to say about that?

 

[vip-ip]

Taken to the worst case scenario, the US would have its own Internet which would only let you visit US based domains and the rest of the World would have a seperate Internet, and the two would be incompatible with each other.

I really can't see this happening. Imagine the mess that would be created if .COM suddenly became only accessible from the United States. Would people in Europe have something to say about that?

There'd be another french and indian war: US fighting eurpoe and asia over what should be both of thems's.

 

[PolurNET]

Hmm, I don't really think the US would have guts to take it that far, eventually with enough international threatening, the Bush era will be long over

But still, perhaps UN is not a good choice either, it's also located in New York Let's put it in a peaceful country (not Canada, since it's too close to the US :p) where government is least corrupt as possible (hmm, can't think of one )

 

[CrazyTech]

This is certainly an interesting and important topic, to say the least.

Number one, I don't want the hands of the UN anywhere near anything as important as the top-level servers. The organization itself is involved in a brewing scandal at the moment and frankly I don't feel that they are qualified nor should they even possess the control of something so important at this point.

Pros and Cons come to mind, but espcially one con: unfair world-power superiority control; what happens if the US loses its superpower position in the future to a country like China?

To play devil's advocate - how about the UN itself? It isn't exactly the most stable organization of the world and an organization made up of many various countries that are far more likely to quarrel and implode than a single country. The UN isn't at all what it once was - I think it's a joke to many people these days.

Going into things like the EU and the other countries - they're just as selfish as we would be in keeping it. Every one of the listed countries and the EU is in a footrace for America for power. If this gets moved to the UN then the power shifts away from America and more towards the countries and the EU.

If control does go to the UN, guess who stands to get the biggest cut of control if some sort of commitee is created to run in. The EU.

 

[TLDnetworks]

I really can't see this happening. Imagine the mess that would be created if .COM suddenly became only accessible from the United States. Would people in Europe have something to say about that?

Potentially worse, what if .COM was only accessible OUTSIDE the United States... The United States Corporations would have a pretty major interest in that. On the other hand those holding .US names would be :tu:

 

[Nerz]

The internet is a trully international medium, so its pretty obvious what should happen long term..lets hope they can work it out sensibly.

 

[Shorty]

What would to our domains if this permanent netsplit occurred? How would they even police the internet? What if .com was excluded to only americans and english people owned .com's? How would people from separate countries communicate when they're on different networks!?

This is a total mess. >_<
(I read a sci-fi fantasy book about there being a "new" internet that had no laws where people would go to do illegal stuff, suddenly it seems more likely.)

 

[Mark]

Seems to be a viable problem .... But , I'll stick with the traffic that pays the most if it does happen - and guess what traffic that is ?

 

[Shorty]

The dumb american traffic that click on anything that looks pretty? :D

/me hides

 

[Nerz]

:notme: :p

 

[barefoottech]

Which Alternative Universe are we talking about.

The USA has Never "owned" the Internet , and never will. The Internet is a network of clustered and distributed servers interconnected by a weblike interconnection. Without the US ,90% of the internet would still exist and would still function.

I know a lot of US Internet users ,think that the Internet exists solely for their benefit. Proof of this is the absolute surprise and horror by them when they discover that not all popular websites have gTLD extensions, and that there is a country in the Pacific called Samoa (Not WebSite).

Big reality check ,most internet users outside of the USA would not care less if access to the US was restricted.

I know that the USA has an involvement in the development of the Internet , but so does the rest of the world ,including Switzerland where most of the UN is Based (Not NY).

Seems to be a viable problem .... But , I'll stick with the traffic that pays the most if it does happen - and guess what traffic that is ?

Remember SEDO and FABULOUS parking programs are not US Based.



__________________

 

[Mark]

And I dont use either of them ..... Facts are Facts ...... US Traffic is what pays - US consumers Shop more often using the internet , If you dont think so - Go block all US traffic from your sites BOYS

 

[RJ]

Big reality check ,most internet users outside of the USA would not care less if access to the US was restricted.

What reality is that? :]

 

[barefoottech]

And I dont use either of them ..... Facts are Facts ...... US Traffic is what pays - US consumers Shop more often using the internet , If you dont think so - Go block all US traffic from your sites BOYS

Fair enough comment ,but the internet does not exist solely for the Benefit and usage of Traffic based parking and eCommerce sites . It is widely used internationally and domestically for information distribution.

 

[Mark]

lol - Information is nice as well ..... But Advertising makes the Web go Round (IMO)


and on a Kinder Gentler Note ...... :lol: http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=131515 Cheap .info's if Reg'd long term :o

 

[.X.]

And I dont use either of them ..... Facts are Facts ...... US Traffic is what pays - US consumers Shop more often using the internet , If you dont think so - Go block all US traffic from your sites BOYS

No question about it,People tend to forget who created the computer operating system and the net,AMERICANS did,China will never do squat,They know better,simple as that,If the net is divided it would be a bad thing,But if it does so be it,I'll be doing the same thing all4 is talking about.

 

[DropLister]

so would www. be no more (world wide web)