From: David Bailey 
Sent: Monday, 11 June 2007 10:01 AM
To: jo.lim@auda.org.au
Subject: Proposed changes to .au name space

Hi Jo,

With regard to direct registration of the .au namespace.

Option 1. 
Eliminate the current 2ld  structure and use only .au name space.

I am strongly against this proposal as it would
    * cause numerous name clashes between owners of current 3LDs
    * severely reduce the usability of the .au name space.

The current hierarchical structure provides meaning to the actual domain name and should remain. 
ie. it tells the user if the domain is a:  
     * commercial entity
     * an organisation
     * an individual
     * etc.

A .au only name space would require, by necessity, very liberal eligibility rules.  This would 
open up all sorts of issues, like:
    * phizing sites
    * domain squatting
    * inability to differentiate between a commercial / non-commercial / personal domains

The name space would be as generic and (IMO) useless as the .com name space.

One of the strengths of the current system are the various eligibility rules.

Option 2. 
Have .au name space as well as the current 2LD name spaces

I am also strongly against this proposal (but less so than option 1).

As mentioned above, the hierarchy provides meaning to the domain name.

I do not believe this is in the true interests of the domain owners.  It may be in the interest of 
the domain registrars, as they will sell more domain names (ie the .au AND the .com.au), but this 
should not be a reason for change.

Opening up the .au name space would reduce the ability of auDA to introduce new 2LDs in the future 
as the appropriate blah.au may already be allocated.

On a similar note, what would stop an owner of a .au name setting themselves up as a pseudo-domain 
registrar.  As they control the domain they could sub-domain it.  ie: If I control bar.au, for a 
fee I will set up appropriate DNS entries for foo.bar.au for you.  This would severely reduce the 
financial benefits for current domain registrars.

Another option that hasn't been considered in the Issues paper.   Rather
than total opening up the .au name space, consideration of expanding the number 2LDs to provide 
better choice / segregation / control.  These 2LDs would be controlled in a similar manner to the 
current ones.

For example a .bank.au 2LD (with appropriate eligibility rules for banks
only)

It may be possible to create other similar industry / location / category 2LDs which assist the end 
user as well as reduce the congestion of the .com.au name space.

Whilst legal entities seem to have a number of choices, ie .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .asn.au with 
some overlap between them (ie: .com.au / .net.au and .org.au / .asn.au), individuals and non legal 
entities only have access to the .id.au name space.  This is not always appropriate for all 
situations.  


For example, an individual or non-incorporated group wishing to run a website dedicated to a hobby / 
pastime etc can only get a .id.au domain, and only in a persons name.  This is not really a good 
option in this case as the name would have no relevance to the topic.  A 2LD to accommodate
this category would be a good.	


NB.  I personally prefer that .com.au be for commercial entities, and .net.au be for Network (ie 
Internet) related entities as it was originally intended.  This is in line with my suggestion above 
for more 2LDs to better segregate the name spaces.

   
I am against allowing the sale of domain names.  This would only encourage domain squatting.  
Whilst there are probably ways to "game" the current rules regarding domain sales,  I believe, on 
the whole, they work, and domain owners largely obtain / renew domain names that they find useful.  
They do not sit on them waiting for a "pay day".


--
Regards,
David Bailey