Re: [wg-c] There is no "consensus"

["Kevin J. Connolly" <CONNOLLK@rspab.com>]

>>> Milton Mueller <mueller@syr.edu> 07/20/99 12:04PM >>> wrote . . .

>It seems obvious to me that a company that sets up 
>the software required to accept registrations from 
>intermediaries (registrars) could also easily accept
>registrations from end users themselves. Thus, it is 
>the registry that is the basic service provider.

{SNIP}

This is like saying that software companies that provide 
second-level technical support to resellers "could also 
easily accept" requests for technical support from end-users.  
While the requirements for (a) validating a properly-formatted 
request for zone delegation, (b) updating the connected databases 
and ( c ) publishing the resultant zone files are tiny, the flood 
of requests for technical support that would result from the 
masses of 404 Induhviduals who want their own second-level 
domain names could easily swamp a startup entity.  Especially 
if that entity is supposed to be operating on a strict cost-recovery 
basis.  On the other hand, if the system establishes a requirement 
that registrars must have a competently-staffed help desk to handle 
first level customer support, then it becomes thinkable that 
the system can work.

While there's a great deal about NSI to dislike, I am amazed that 
its technical support system works at all.   Granted, NSI's customer 
service is often enough to make strong wem cry, but when a 
dog walks on two legs  .  .  .  :-)

In other words, registrars provide valuable service in delivering 
service to end-users, overseeing the secure, robust and auditable 
enqueuement of delegation requests, and in general seeing to the 
operation of the system.  They provide a useful, i.e., competitive, 
buffer between the natural monopoly that a gTLD registry brings 
into being, and the end-user.  The non-profit registry/for-profit registrar 
model may seem stuffy and stodgy, but it facilitates competition and 
enhances the stability of the domain name system.

KJC.2
<as usual, please disregard the silly trailer>


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