RE: [wg-c] Re: nine principles for domain names

["Winer, Jonathan" <JWiner@alston.com>]

1. Again, these principles are enormously attractive, unless one wants to
abandon the concept that a gTLD is a first step in structuring identity on
online (the alternative being as Philip correctly states going to straight
IP numbers, fine, abort the mission.)
2. Philip, I would like you to look more closely at the modifier in #2 on
"Honesty" -- "unnecessarily," particularly as it intersects with principal
#4 "competition." I would prefer the word "unnecessarily" be deleted,
because I think that the principle of not increasing opportunities for
malicious users to commit fraud is a fundamental one that should not be
diluted. Alternatively, and as a weaker solution, I would urge the
adjectives "fair and honest" to be placed in front of "competition," to
modify the notion that some competition through choice on the web may indeed
not be either "fair and honest" and should not be facilitated. -- jmw
3. Regardless, adoption of these nine principles would be a huge step
forward into sense and sensibility. -- jmw

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Philip Sheppard [SMTP:philip.sheppard@aim.be]
> Sent:	Monday, February 21, 2000 5:28 AM
> To:	wg-c@dnso.org
> Subject:	Re: [wg-c] Re: nine principles for domain names
> 
> Thanks for recent comment on the nine principles/ criteria. Allow me to
> provide some answers to the points raised.
> 
> 1. We do believe that the assumption that all gTLDs will/should stand for
> something is valid. The alternative is to not bother with a gTLD and use
> only the IP address. The moment you adopt the idea of gTLDs the net user
> will believe they stand for something. To give anything a name is to endow
> identity. If anyone believes in a system that does not endow identity they
> should argue for IP address only.
> 
> 2. The intent of the simplicity principle is indeed to avoid registries
> having burdensome procedures imposed on them. It does not exclude a
> registry
> opting for a validation procedure. I have improved the wording and shifted
> the numbering - see below.
> 
> 3. The reason for the semantics principle  containing "meaningful with a
> significant number of net users" is intended to distinguish the global
> nature of a gTLD versus the ccTLD.  A domain name with a less than
> significant number of net users would be better suited to a sub domain
> within a ccTLD or a language charter gTLD.
> 
> 4. Findability. Net users today use a gTLD as a means of finding. Dot com,
> .edu, .mil are classifications and net users use classifications to find
> things. It is the same for the ccTLDs. This principle does not say there
> are
> not better ways of finding things (there are and we recognise there will
> be
> much better tools in the future) but it recognises the way net users use
> gTLDs. Net users will no longer have a Findability need when Findability
> is
> met by other means but not before. We will be happy to delete this
> principle
> at that time.
> 
> 5. Multiplicity. This is clearly a principle of intent not one for the
> basis
> of choosing how many and when. It expresses an intent for a future. It is
> to
> be read in conjunction with the other principles.
> 
> 6. Defining net user widely is indeed dangerous. Typically we refer to a
> non-specialist public. The request to include "and registrars" was an
> attempt to be inclusive but perhaps it is clearer not to make this "and
> dont
> forget us" statement. See changes below.
> 
> 7. The idea to apply the principles to the dot EU proposal is a good one
> and
> will be attempted.
> 
> 8. The principles are intended to help move the process rapidly forward to
> the creation of new gTLDs.
> 
> 
> Based on new input received here follows a new amendment to the
> principles.
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Criteria for assessing a gTLD registry operator application, subject to
> current technical constraints and evolving technical opportunities, should
> be based on all the following principles :
> 
> Principles affecting the relationship between a gTLD Registry operator and
> those who may register
> 1. Certainty: a gTLD should give the net user confidence that it stands
> for
> what it purports to stand for.
> 2. Honesty - a gTLD should not unnecessarily increase opportunities for
> malicious or criminal elements who wish to defraud net users.
> 
> Principles effecting the relationship between Registries
> 3. Differentiation - a gTLD should differentiate from all other gTLDs so
> as
> not to confuse net users.
> 4. Competition - new gTLDs should foster competition in the domain name
> space.
> 5. Diversity - new gTLDs should foster the expression of views, both
> commercial and non-commercial.
> 
> Principles with query resolution and character encoding implications
> 6. Semantics - a gTLD should be meaningful in a language with a
> significant
> number of net users.
> 7. Findability - a gTLD should assist a net user to find a particular
> domain
> name.
> 
> Other principles
> 8. Multiplicity - new gTLDs should become available as needed to meet the
> needs of an expanding Internet community.
> 9. Simplicity - adherence of the above principles should not impose an
> overly bureaucratic procedure on a registry.
> 
> 
> 
> Philip
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

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