Re: [wg-c] Cartesian rationalism v. Internet evolution

[Elisabeth PORTENEUVE <Elisabeth.PORTENEUVE@cetp.ipsl.fr>]

Milton Mueller <mueller@syr.edu> wrote:

| The other spectacular failure along these lines was the SLD taxonomy
| in dot FR. How bad was it? Well, to give you an indication, there were
| in mid-1999 more registrations under .NU than under .FR, despite the
| fact that Nuie has about 200 people in it, and there were more French
| entities registering under dot com than under .FR. I understand that
| the French have seen the light, have abandoned this folly, and are now
| marketing FR as an entirely unrestricted TLD.

==> What to do with that ?

    Your inventions/assumptions are prefectly inaccurate.
    Let's faint you really don't know where to reach an information
    and give some facts here (I am speaking with my hat of AFNIC,
    French registry -- in case you have more doubts about Internet 
    rules in France, and want have it correct, just drop me an email).

    No, FR is NOT entierely unrestricted TLD.
    FR is completely restricted.
    In the end of September 1999, we will open a new STLD,
    .com.fr, where the registration will be on the "first come 
    first serve" rule, BUT with some restrictions:
       - you need to be French citizen or French resident
       - no name registered in the public space .FR will be allowed
    More information available in French at:
    http://www.nic.fr/Nouvelles/Divers/19990628-domaines-nom-et-com.html

    AFNIC is a non for profit organization, with the Board of Directors
    representing various groups of stakeholders: ISPs, telcos, business,
    commerce, research community, individuals. We have on the Board
    gouvernemental advisers. And we consult frequently with CNIL,
    (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes),
    an independent body dealing with privacy issues.
    The modification of rules for FR is always discussed with all
    partners (I would say not only with hunters but also with prey),
    and the choice validated.
    In France we privilege quality, not overaboundance.
    Our rules evolve over time according to experience and all
    stakeholders needs.

    Elisabeth Porteneuve