The .PRO Discussion

[InvisionTech]

It seems .PRO is slowly coming out of the cage with cheaper reg prices than they were a year ago and major registrars like netsol taking notice of the extension and promoting it.

Here are some that I picked up in last couple of days:

Alexandria.pro

Anchorage.pro

Arlington.pro

Belfast.pro

Birmingham.pro

Budapest.pro

Durham.pro

Fairfax.pro

Italian.pro

Lisbon.pro

Fire away with your regs after the relaunch on September 8th, 2008.

 

[JoeBiz]

Basically this means if you provide some "dummy texts", they can just come along and take the domain back away from you if they ever get the urge.

---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

Basically Greg is wrong. His knowledge of the Pro registry is limited to cherry-picked bits and pieces of information that he selects to discourage Pro buyers. Considering his track record in selecting investments I tend to dismiss his monologues.


8^X

 

[MicroGuy]

Basically Greg is wrong. His knowledge of the Pro registry is limited to cherry-picked bits and pieces of information that he selects to discourage Pro buyers. Considering his track record in selecting investments I tend to dismiss his monologues.
8^X

I was simply pointing out that on the registry website is clearly indicated that accreditation data is cross-checked and that according to the TOS, failure to provide accurate accreditation data can and might result in domain forfeiture. It's not really cherry picking, more like pointing out a very important fact. (%%-)

 

[JoeBiz]

I was simply pointing out that on the registry website is clearly indicated that accreditation data is cross-checked and that according to the TOS, failure to provide accurate accreditation data can and might result in domain forfeiture. It's not really cherry picking, more like pointing out a very important fact. (%%-)

More accurately it's an obscure fact that to the best of my knowledge has never been enforced. It's very common for regulating bodies to be over zealous when developing a set of standards only to discover that they do not have the manpower to enforce their own regulations. It's a very common occurence among local, state and federal regulating authorities. But it was nice of Greg to point it out. Thanks Greg !!!

 

[MicroGuy]

More accurately it's an obscure fact..

Actually it's not obscure and is the subject of many questions regarding this extension.

If you go and read the presentation at the registry's website, you'll find that the majority of the information is related to proven accreditation and reliability of professionals using the extension, when in fact we know that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and that any old "dummy texts" will suffice. Then to add insult to injury, the registry can just come along and take the domain back if they should ever so desire. (())

I think this persistent ambiguity is one of the major problems holding back this failing TLD. IMO.

 

[JoeBiz]

Actually it's not obscure and is the subject of many questions regarding this extension.

If you go and read the presentation at the registry's website, you'll find that the majority of the information is related to proven accreditation and reliability of professionals using the extension, when in fact we know that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and that any old "dummy texts" will suffice. Then to add insult to injury, the registry can just come along and take the domain back if they should ever so desire. (())

I think this persistent ambiguity is one of the major problems holding back this failing TLD. IMO.

Your past analysis of avoiding the pitfalls of failing TLDs leaves a lot to be desired. But thank you for the warning. I'll take it for what it is.

But just as an aside, coincidentally, I am a Mech/Aero Engineer with a Bachelor of Science from NCSU and am fully licensed to practice. So don't waste your time. And NEVER forget that I'll always LUV you !!! :hearts:

 

[MicroGuy]

thank you for the warning.

This was not a warning but more of an "observation". I think the .PRO registry seriously needs to update its website and fast. It looks pretty outdated and I think extremely slack on their part to leave it up with such obviously outdated information. ((:red) IMHO.

 

[JoeBiz]

This was not a warning but more of an "observation". I think the .PRO registry seriously needs to update its website and fast. It looks pretty outdated and I think extremely slack on their part to leave it up with such obviously outdated information. ((:red) IMHO.

I couldn't agree with you more. I drop by there regularly but still no updates. Maybe the GoDaddy auction will clear some cobwebs. But you can't bet your "success" on any ONE thing coming to fruition. Just keep all of the out riggers out and all of the down riggers down and see what comes swimming along. But I'm guessing that you already knew that.


8^X

 

[MicroGuy]

I couldn't agree with you more. I drop by there regularly but still no updates. Maybe the GoDaddy auction will clear some cobwebs. But you can't bet your "success" on any ONE thing coming to fruition. Just keep all of the out riggers out and all of the down riggers down and see what comes swimming along. But I'm guessing that you already knew that.


8^X

I think what it all boils down to is that just like .TEL, this extension has put some mortal restrictions on itself.

With .TEL there was a rigid template limiting development and with .PRO you have a lackadaisical registry that advertises one set of standards but practices something entirely different in the real World.

The very thing that supposedly made .PRO different was that a consumer visiting a .PRO website could have confidence in the fact that he was considering a certified accredited professional. We now know (even through your very own admission) that this is/was little more than wishful thinking.

This reality will eventually drive the final nail in this TLDs coffin. IMO. ((:ghost)

 

[mwzd]

Certification as a professional is hardly a 'mortal restriction', it's a basic necessity if you're a legitimate business entity.

And you could located anywhere in the world as per Registry.Pro requirements, again not really limiting in any way.

As for Registry.pro enforcing these requirements, from what I understand they do conduct sample tests periodically and weed out people who don't conform to them.

so yeah 'random texts' won't work and you're risking your registrations with fake info.

Which is pretty much on par with standard 'whois info' requirements, again, not difficult.

 

[MicroGuy]

from what I understand they do conduct sample tests periodically and weed out people who don't conform to them.

This "weeding out" process is of much interest. Could you elaborate on this to a greater degree?

 

[johname]

According to the site:

Will my professional credentials be subject to review?
Yes, RegistryPro will monitor new and renewed .PRO domains to ensure compliance with all terms and conditions of our agreements. You may be required to provide additional information to the registry in order to activate or retain your domain.

I guess though they really just monitor that your check clears. But they might do something if you own super duper fantastic keyword dot pro and somebody with bucks wants it and complains. Still all speculation on my part lol

 

[MicroGuy]

But they might do something if you own super duper fantastic keyword dot pro and somebody with bucks wants it and complains.

EXCELLENT point Johname! ((:bingo)

 

[alien51]

The registry has made two things very clear. One … you do not have to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer to qualify. GENERIC professionals are very welcomed. It's up to you to determine your profession. Are you a landscaper, a butcher, a baker a candlestick maker. Think of the doctors and lawyers as being the "Branded" Professionals and almost everyone else as the Generic professionals. I could go on all day listing examples but limber up your brain and it'll come to you.

Basically, you are simply saying that anyone who is NOT jobless, can qualify for a .PRO domain.

Somehow, the "literal" interpretation of what a professional is, dilutes the "trust" factor which supposed to have created .PRO in the first place.

Just because you are earning money from some kind of job you created yourself, doesn't necessarily mean i can "trust" you. So a .PRO domain in such situation, doesn't necessarily add any value.

Next ... the process is Self-Certified.... Lastly, adding the words "Generic" and "Self Certify" to their requirements allowed them to open the door to almost anyone..... They are screaming at potential buyers that it is OK for you to sign up, just be professional about it.

This argument totally defeats the essence of having a .PRO badge as a sign of trust and confidence it gives to clients and customers.

Come to think about it, is there a "professional" who will fail his own "self-certification"?

Certification must be done by a neutral third-party to promote trust and confidence. You cannot certify yourself. Otherwise, you will always pass.

I think if they have a set of rules and policy, but they are not actively enforcing it, they are just succumbing to commercialism simply because they need the money to keep the TLD alive.

And in terms of "investment", i don't think it is wise to invest under a cloud of "lazy law enforcement". The moment they become not lazy, they will bust you at any time and your investment is gone.

 

[Kate]

This argument totally defeats the essence of having a .PRO badge as a sign of trust and confidence it gives to clients and customers.

Indeed, and TLDs that have a vetting process or red tape of some sort are unpopular.
.jobs would be an example.
So what's the actual purpose of .pro ?
I think that like .biz it's in competition with .com and its positioning is still unclear :imho:

Now, note that there are ccTLDs with restrictions like .us .ca etc that also work on a declarative basis, ie you state you are eligible when you register the domain.
Then spot checks can take place and the domain can be taken away from you if you don't qualify. Since the registry is more or less on autopilot I can see the threat of that actually happening is remote.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

.PRO is simply for those who loves .PRO and who wanna be PRO.
Everything else is a demagogy.

 

[webdomain]

So what exactly is the point of sitting around on the .pro board and bashing the extension? Is there some extension out there that you think is better that we should be dropping our .pros for and trading into then by all means let it out.

Otherwise, let us revel a little in the fact that GoDaddy is promoting the auctions and the other good things going on in with the extension and everyone enjoy the new year!

 

[jjcool]

iPod.pro
LOMO.pro

 

[mwzd]

A certified professional (.pro) is still a better bet than an unknown hiding behind whois privacy (.com).

And while it is 'self certified', registry.pro could always verify your credentials if someone files a complaint, unlike with Verisign, who're liable to point you to the courts or wipo at best.

I agree it is stupid to invest in something under any sort of cloud, smart investing is about mitigating risk.

 

[MicroGuy]

A certified professional (.pro) is still a better bet than an unknown hiding behind whois privacy (.com).

You are both misstating facts (.pro does not equal certified professional) AND comparing apples (.PROs) and oranges (.COMs with privacy). This is flawed logic. ((:gl) IMO.

 

[WordWalker]

You are both misstating facts (.pro does not equal certified professional) AND comparing apples (.PROs) and oranges (.COMs with privacy). This is flawed logic. ((:gl) IMO.

From the Enirca dotPRO page:

"November, 2011 Alert .Pro Registrants are no longer required to provide license information at the time of registration. Instead, you will be asked to indicate your profession. If selected for an audit, you will be asked to provide these details to self-certify your license credentials. A business license is acceptable."

(emphasis added)