By: RH
I was out about a week ago with a couple guys who are not in the domaining industry but work in tech. They were both aware of the new gtld rollout and surprisingly excited. I asked what was it that they were excited about ?
The first guy said that he could finally get a great domain cheap, " I can't wait to register web.site" I said thanks for saying that when I was not drinking my water, I did not want to spit it out or come out my nose from laughter. He looked at me puzzled and asked, "What are you talking about ?"
I said that even though there will be new extensions the game would still be played by the old rules. That if there is a .site approved, names like web are not going to be able to be hand regged for $10. He asked me why ? I explained that new tlds will be consulted by domaining consultants who would be showing them how to maximize their return on their best available keywords.
The second guy said this was supposed to change all that. I explained that ICANN is the one getting rich. Sure there will be new choices, but that 90% of all new extensions open to the public are going to have the good names auctioned off.
They both thought I was nuts. This was not what the new gtlds are about. The first guy said this was an effort to take back the Internet from as he put it "The .com whores" "No longer would startups have to pay big money to bring their ideas to life, and regular folk could get their first or last name."
I then asked them if they did programming or website design for free ? The second guy explained that what he does requires talent, and there is no talent required in buying and selling domains.
At this point I realized talking about domains was futile. Just as it will likely be futile attempting to register a domain like web.site for $10.
I have nothing against the new tlds, change on the Internet is always happening. I do think people should not be disillusioned to thinking that the new tlds will bring about great keywords for $10 in most of the highly sought after new tlds.
You are so right it will be the same thing as .co or .me. Auction the great keywords.
“The .com whores” I love it, commie techies,everything should be free, oh except their profession. Great article man
Really interesting stuff. No talent req’d to be a successful domainer huh, shows you what we’re up against PR wise with dumb comments like that but hey I bet that’s what most of these techie guys think of us.
Sour grapes!! You could have told him anyone can build a website these days lol
Amazing to think that these guys think they will be able to register the top names in any give new gtld as well.
The cost of entry ensures that any extn will have to maximize revenue.
And yes ICANN get to reap all the rewards. Funny thing is ICANN still claim to be a non profit organization.
They make the football world’s FIFA look reputable.
I agree Andy its always some kind of sour grapes instead of looking for ways to work together.