Re: The view from my window

[Gary Morrell <garym@lanminds.com>]

>> Firstly, I must ask, how was the IAHC formed? How did these folks get
>> chosen? Why wasn't there a "lottery" to be included in this committee?
>> The folks with the most at stake, companies running new TLD registries,
>
>Companies running rogue registries are obviously more concerned about
>making money, and having power of parts of the Internet namespace for
>themselves, rather than the continued smooth operating of the Internet
>DNS. I would be very much opposed to any representative of such an
>organization having any say over Internet policy.

I can run a registry, make money, and add a valuble, stable asset to the
Internet at large. I run my business with the utmost integrity and I will
run .fam with the same integrity. I can make money AND be concerned with
the continued smooth operation of the Internet. Just like Cisco can. Just
like Sun can. Just like you can.

As an aside, why hasn't my first questions been answered?
1. How did these folks get chosen?
2. Why wasn't there a "lottery" to be included in this committee?

>These folks tried to bypass the rules, and do it their own way. I see no
>particular reason for anyone to worry about their interests but
>themselves.

We have not tried to bypass the rules. The very fact that I am on list list
debating with you shows that I would like to follow "rules". I just believe
that the "rules" are unfair and not in the best interests of the Internet
at large.

>Some organizations seem to think that becuase they've gone ahead without
>being registered, they have some right to have all the zones they "sold"
>to people listed first. They are wrong.

I don't believe that I have the right to have all the zones I want. I do
believe that I have a right to legitimately apply for a TLD of my choice.
Also, I have not sold anything - yet.

>Lets say you are in a class of student drivers. You decide not to wait for
>your license, and just go driving around town anyway. You get pulled over
>a few times, and get appropriate fines for driving without a license. What
>chance do you think you have of getting a license if and when you do
>finally graduate from driving school?

Lets say I'm going to get my license next month. I get a learner's permit.
I would like to be given the opportunity to take the test. That's all I'm
asking for.

To further your analogy. Imagine I go to get my license, and I'm told,
well, you can have a driver's license. Maybe. Fill out this form. Give us
$20,000. Then, if you are lucky enough to be chosen, you can drive as long
as you take these other five guys along with you anywhere you go.

>The Alternic other similar organizations are "driving without a license".
>Its not against any laws, but it certainly gives them no right to expect
>special treatment.

We're driving with a learner's permit. Again, I'm not asking for special
treatment. I'm asking for equal treatment for any organization wishing to
run a TLD registry.

>You followed a procedure that was described only in a draft, and not in
>any official policy?  You must have missed this part of the response you
>received:

I didn't miss the part about future consideration. The future is here, I am
asking for consideration.

>Many people who have invested much more have lost it all, over far less.
>The decisions to invest money was THEIRS entirely. No one guaranteed there
>would be any way to list your zones in the root. If you have gambled that
>there would be, then you are risking your own money. And if such a way
>doesnt materialize, then you lose. The point, again, NO ONE GUARANTEED YOU
>ANYTHING. If you gamble, you have to be willing to lose.

I am willing to lose. I only ask for the framework and opportunity to apply
for a TLD that is not shared, and is not chosen by a lottery.

-g