RE: Internet domain name controversies

From: Alicia Brillon <ALICIAB[_at_]ntserver1.photodisc.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 07:43:53 -0700

> Michael Leventhal <wiredlaw[_at_]primenet.com> wrote:

>> 
>> How about just changing the domain name system by adding a whole new 
>> group of top-level domains, so that A3 Pizza, A3 plumbing and A3 
>> Savings and Loan can peacefully co-exist? 

snip

Mario Heilmann responded:
>
> This all has to do with vanity, of wanting to own the myname.com domain.
> Anyone can already follow your suggestion, just with a dash instead of a
> dot. miller-plumbing.com, miller-pizza.com, miller-beer.com are easily
> available. But, everyone wants miller.com. Is there any length
> restriction to domain names? Can someone chose
> Coca-Cola-bottling-plant-in-Eugene-Oregon.com? This would also preclude
> conflicts, but again, would not satisfy the vanity of having a short and
> easily findable name.

---

There is a character length restriction for domain names - I believe it is 26 (including the .com, .org, etc. characters)

Also, people/companies don't want the myname.com domain just for vanity (although I'm sure that factors in), but because a potential customer who is trying to find their site will have a better chance of doing so if s/he can guess at the address easily. Guessing miller.com is easier that guessing miller-beer.com. Or maybe it would be miller-beverages.com? or miller-drink.com? or miller-alcohol.com...

A case in point is your "just type a3 or a3.com" reference below! ;'

Alicia Brillon
Associate Counsel
photodisc.com
aliciab[_at_]photodisc.com

> By the way, their regular service to customers is very lousy, too. For
> weeks I have been trying to change my e-mail address registered as
> contact for the domain. I cannot talk to a human, I get automated
> responses, requesting to fill out e-mail templates. I had difficulties
> filling them out, if took me long searches to find out what an internic
> handle is. Additionally, they require me to send the template either from
> my (defunct) e mail address, or to encrypt it with PGP. Meanwhile, I
> continue to have a defunct e-mail address listed with Internic.
>
> Mario Heilmann
> free-spirit[_at_]a3.com
> mheilman[_at_]a3.com
> Dept. of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
>
> HOMEPAGES:
> http://www.a3.com/ just type a3 or a3.com
Received on Fri Oct 11 1996 - 14:45:49 GMT