Re: The view from my window

[chris@hal.iodesign.com (Christopher Ambler)]

I have to disagree that a random process is the only way to choose from
among an equally qualified set. But rather than argue it, I have to
reiterate that there is no need to choose! You have an objective set
of criteria, one which this process is well suited to create (remember
consensus), and all that qualify participate.

Again, the only argument against this is that if it fails to work,
there are only 25 registries participating in the failure rather than
some larger number. But it doesn't have to fail! There are a number
of registries out there RIGHT NOW that work just fine. Aside from
political issues, NSI is doing a right nice job. There are vocal
complaints from some, but overall they're working nicely. Our .web
registry works fine, thank you. For that matter, if it doesn't,
nobody is hurt but us! You can claim that you're looking out for
the consumer, but if that is the case, where's the regulation for
traditional ISPs? America Online inconvenienced HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
of people when they made operational changes and crashed, and who
was hurt? THEY WERE. People vote with their dollars.

If there is no technical solution for sharing that works now, then
grant competant registries exclusive use of selected TLDs until there
is. Allow the monopoly to be broken NOW and these registries to build
infrastructure. Form CORE and allow it to proceed to create a standard
for sharing, and put in the licensing agreement that all registries
agree to share when the protocol is completed.

NSI's contract expires in 1998. When that happens, they can share as
well. Will they? Good question. WHO CARES? Let them have com/net/org
and let new registries have their TLDs and LET THE MARKET DECIDE. There
is NO REASON to apply all of these artificial regulations! 

--
Christopher Ambler
President, Image Online Design, Inc.