new.net

I was just checking out this service and it appears to be an interesting scam. It claims to give "new top level TLD's". Sure we've all heard these before but here's the trick with this one. It doesn't say it, but it's not really a top level domain, it's a subdomain of their new.net. You have to use a browser plugin that directs the so-called top level domain to their new.net domain. Example, say you register shop.inc, it's really shop.inc.new.net. The plugin will supposedly cloak this. Not only would all users have to have this plugin to reach the site, it's not an ICANN accredited registrar. I can't help but wonder what will happen with this service if or when the real TLD's are introduced.

Fine print at the bottom of the site:

"* New.net domain names are accessible by persons that activate their browsers or use one of our partner ISPs to access the Internet. This number is limited now, but growing daily."

I heard on a news site, that they were ICANN's competitor, and they were real domains! Where did you get your information from?

Many ISP's are adding their root zone files to their nameservers. In fact, the @home network has already done so, and more ISP's may begin to do so as well.

new.net doesn't work for AOL users or for users behind firewalls. That eliminates quite a large chuck right away...


I can't help but wonder what will happen with this service if or when the real TLD's are introduced.

Well, the interfering new.net domains will prolly stop working. If someone wants to go to http://www.company.ltd.new.net, they'd type what they know it as -- http://www.company.ltd. But if the ICANN-administered .ltd domain is also present, the user will be sent to http://www.company.ltd instead of the new.net version. Idealab must be praying that ICANN doesn't use the same extensions for its TLDs! :)

Rehan
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CompareDomainRegistrars.com ... Coming REAl soon now

I heard this on an internet broadcast that was discussing domain names. This looks like a proprietory system of new.net, by using this plugin they seem to be trying to grab the market in these domain names. Maybe it will look, act and work like a real TLD in this system. It just seems likely to cause a real conflict if ICANN releases these TLD's to Registrars. IMO, the whole new TLD bit is started just to scare trademark paranoid businesses into buying them and attracting the Squatters that register them in bulk. Otherwise why not just stick with something that would make sense, like .LLC, .INC, etc.

Remember when we just had to figure out which of the THREE extensions we were looking (barring country coded ones). It's getting a little ridiculous now. I understand the need for more, though this would be nicely cleared up by shooting hoarders on sight.

That plugin idea is probably one of the worst domain related ideas I think I've heard. Not only would your business card have the new domain name, but the back would need a little set of instructions on where to go to get the plugin, and how to set it up...

... pointless.

Greg Moore

Biz.com is doing a similar thing (see http://register.biz.com/powerdomains.htm), although they're not trying to disguise the "biz.com" extension with a kludgy browser plug-in. I don't know how anyone could think that forcing people to go to a third-party website to download a plug in just to get to your website by its domain name is a good thing.

Chris,

remember the saying about "There's a sucker born every minute" I'm sure they'll sell quite a few. I know some people over at Sitepoint already have bought them...

Good luck to the company I can see a lot of irritated customers though...

Greg Moore

Originally posted by nisus
Otherwise why not just stick with something that would make sense, like .LLC, .INC, etc.

I agree with this one. Not that it isn't without problems (inc could be registered in more than one country), but at least these are more useful to businesses.

I am on the @home network and coundn't see the new.net domains until I installed the plug-in.

@home has probably incorporated the plug-in in thier customized browser. The only way I can see New.net taking off is if Microsoft and AOL partner with them.

As we get more and more fed up with iCANN the competition looks more inviting. I still don't know why they didn't add a .xxx or .sex, It would make filtering much easier.

-Steve

Originally posted by Chicken
[QUOTE]Originally posted by nisus
[B]Not that it isn't without problems (inc could be registered in more than one country), but at least these are more useful to businesses.

Well you could limit who gets them to the US alone, but just have .inc(country code) for everyone else. eg. .inc.au Considering it's for incorporated companies, their country of origin would be somewhat important, and would act as a reference point. As you'd have to prove your business details it would matter too much if you waited it out a while, and wouldn't have to worry about hoarders or squatters.

Our website *is* our registered name, right down to the .net after it. The fact that most people looking for new alternatives are businesses it would have made a lot more sense to use things like .inc .llc .ltd etc The .sex one is good too. It'd keep them on their side of the fence too. (a couple of laws about advertsing their wares would be nice too)

Greg Moore