Re: [wg-review] Reality facts lesson

[Bret Busby <bret@clearsol.iinet.net.au>]

Elisabeth Porteneuve wrote:
> 
> Dear WG-Review Members,
> 
> The recent problem with access to myepark.com account is giving
> us a great lesson related to the current debate on the wg-review.
> 
> What is a domain name (myepark.com) without a primary and secondary
> name servers resolving it into IP address, without being announced
> in routing tables, without a connectivity to the Internet and
> telecommunication lines ?
> Often if not always the Domain Names issues are reduced into
> registration aspects and rights to use strings as domain name labels.
> It is one important part, but the second significant one is to have
> domain names connected to the Internet.
> 
> Could we get any wisdom from that ?
> 

Hello, Elisabeth.

I suggest that the two issues are unrelated.

To me, a domain name is a unique string identifier, that can be used
only by the entity to which the domain name is registered, and which
string identifier, can be linked to an IP address. The rights and
obligations regarding domain names, relate only to the charatcer string
combination, like a registered business name.

Regarding the connectivity issue, I regard it like this. I have an
electronic washing machine. It is a good quality washing machine. In
buying the washing machine, rights and obligations apply. It is covered
by warranty. However, if I choose to use it to mix concrete, the
warranty no longer applies. Rights and obligations. Many issues apply to
my ownership of the washing machine, and, what I do with it. However,
regrading the issue of connectivity, I suggest that that is a completely
different issue. The electricity supply in West Australia, is unstable.
I have to unplug the washing machine, when I am not using it, to prevent
the unregulated voltage, from destroying the circuit board. The
continuity of supply of electricity in West Australia, is unreliable. We
have a ups to service our small LAN, to try to minimise risk to our
computers, due to the elctricity supply. Washing machines are
whitegoods, and, service contracts, quality control, usage rights and
obligations, all relate to the appliance, and, not to the connectivity.
I cannot say "I have a washing machine. Therefore, I have a right to
electricity supply so that I can use it. I also therefore have a right
to a decent electricity supply." The contentions are unrelated. The
usability of the washing machine, is a matter related only to the
washing machine, and, is a matter between me and the manufacturer. The
usability and quality or otherwise, of the elctricity supply, is
unrelated to my ownership of the washing machine, and, is a matter
between me and the electricity supply company, and, relates to a
supposed "guarantee of quality" of electricity, provided by, or, imposed
on, the electricity supplier, and, does not involve either the
manufacturer of the washing machine, or, the washing machine vendor, who
also has obligations, in selling washing machines. Thus, if I have a
good washing macine, that does not mean that, because of that, I am
entitled to a good electricity supply. The two matters are unrelated. (I
should be entitled to a good electricity supply, anyway, but, apparently
not in this state)

So, Elisabeth, I suggest that the issues of domain name ownership (or,
however people wish to regard it), and, domain name connectivity, are
unrelated, beyond the issue of whether a supplied domain name is
supported by the version of IP in use (no point being sold a domain name
with 128 characters, and, trying to use it with IPv4).

-- 

Bret Busby

Armadale, West Australia

......................................
"So once you do know what the question actually is, you'll know what the
answer means."
 - Deep Thought, Chapter 28 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
 - Douglas Adams, 1988 
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