Re: [wg-c] Creating new gTLDs

[Dennis Jennings <Dennis.Jennings@ucd.ie>]

Ivan, WG-C,

(First my apologies to the WG for my late arrival - I have been on two weeks holidays and then trying to catch up on the backlog of work.  I hope people will not shout at me if I cover ground already dealt with).

I think that Ivan has asked a very basic question - and as far as I can see no one has followed up on this e-mail.

> What are the reasons for wanting to create a gTLD?
>
> We can be as frank as we like about this, but it would be useful to think
> about it. Do we want to create new gTLDs in order to relieve some pressure
> on existing gTLDs, or to create now Internet opportunities, or to create a
> Directory of the Internet, or to weaken existing monopolies or what? The
> question is as much an attempt to look at what reasons those who will ask
> for new gTLDs will give. Why do we want new gTLDs? Is there one reason or
> dozens? Can we accommodate them all or some or none? Reference to the
> Principles will be useful at this stage.

Perhaps I can re-phrase the question:  If a new gTLD were to be created, what problem would we have solved for the user of the Internet (who I characterise for this discussion as those who want to type in a name and arrive at a predictable point (address) on the Internet – that’s the point, isn’t it ?).

Perhaps a way to work at the answer to this question is to do the “gedanken” experiment:  Suppose a new gTLD “wvxf” were created.  I suggest that we would all be delighted if this new gTLD was understood by the vast majority of Internet users (in English) to point to a clearly defined sub-set of the possible Internet hosts,  i.e. the vast majority would immediately understand that “{ HYPERLINK "mailto:computer@aktd.wvxf" }www.” indicated the “aktd” organisation/entity in the name space defined by “wvxf”.  This then would be a successful new gTLD.

By extension, this implies that the set of gTLDs that are active must, to be successful, be clearly understood by the vast majority of Internet users (in English) to point to clearly defined and (ideally) non overlapping sub-sets of the possible Internet hosts.

(By extension, this further implies some rules about registrations in the gTLDs – but that is not for now).

Perhaps the above use of the phrase “Internet hosts” is too narrow and should be expanded to mean an unambiguous data collection on the Internet – but the point I’m trying to make is I think (but then I would, wouldn’t I) clear.  :-)

Now if we can answer the question for one proposed new gTLD, we can by extension answer the question for a set (perhaps unlimited) of new gTLDs.

I would value comments if anyone finds the above a useful discussion point – and if not, please tell me (politely).

Note that I have not even begun to discuss the issue arising for the new “wvxf” Registry.

Thanks
Dennis





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