Following up on my domain names post

There’s a real world follow-up to my previous entry – Domain names – some basics I’ve learned through … experience. I said:

> I buy the privacy protection. That way, whois will
> tell people I’m are the domain owner but will point
> to Network Solutions as the contact. I have heard
> of instances where domains were “stolen” simply
> by providing the whois information to registrars
> who didn’t care enough to double check with the
> real owner.

Larry Seltzer of eWeek reported in his column that his own domain had been highjacked:
“My identity thief made two uses of this domain to my knowledge. He posted some e-mails to mailing lists, including this one on Full Disclosure (http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2007/May/0334.html). He also contacted eWEEK and tried to get control of the log-on credentials for my blog and to have my Ziff Davis e-mail forwarded to larry@larryseltzer.net. eWEEK didn’t fall for it. As far as I can tell, the impersonation efforts ended around then.“

So, there’s first person evidence that it happened to a big name industry writer – meaning it could happen to anyone. So I emphasize again, get the privacy protection. It’s cheap insurance against Larry’s documented nightmare of bureaucratic nonsense trying to wrestle his domain back.

Here’s Larry’s column:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Whois-Abuse-Still-Out-of-Control/?kc=EWKNLSTE01222009STR1

Domain names – some basics I’ve learned through … experience

When I set out to purchase a new domain name for a client, I recommend always buying the dotcom (.com). My criteria:

1. All people have to do is type the domain name (e.g. heavenr) and press “CTRL” and “Enter” at the same time. The browsers — all of them that I know about — automatically autofill the www. and .com (e.g. “heavenr” becomes www.heavenr.com)
2. There’s never a chance for cybersquatting — I’ve already got the one commodity they thrive on
3. The alternative top-level domains (TLD) — i.e. .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .cc (or .tt, or .any other country) — are not the first things people think about when they try to find me
4. Porn sites almost always use .com because they know they’ll get my traffic first when people forget to use the appropriate alternative TLDs (again, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .cc, etc.)

I don’t worry about people making typographical errors — as long as I have the .com TLD, they’ll see their mistake right away.

If the company name URL is already taken, I think about the other keywords. It’s likely that at least one of them will be available. If my credibility is good and the site gives visitors what they need, they’ll remember the domain even if it’s not the “trademarked” identity. Even alternative spellings will work if my credibility is good and the site gives visitors what they need.

I always buy from Network Solutions. Their telephone support is fabulous. If I have a problem, they’ll solve it for me. I’ve struggled with other registrars who … just don’t care.

If I really want to protect my domain investment, I buy the .net and .org as well. Then I point them all to the same web server. Although they also sell web hosting, Network Solutions will gladly point the domains to the DNS servers (e.g. ns1.ispname.com, etc.) that my ISP gives me.

I buy the privacy protection. That way, whois will tell people I’m are the domain owner but will point to Network Solutions as the contact. I have heard of instances where domains were “stolen” simply by providing the whois information to registrars who didn’t care enough to double check with the real owner. Plus, I won’t be spammed when the spiders glean my whois page.

I learned the hard way about registering .com domains and when I lost it, had to loop back. Fortunately, when the domain expired the next year, the owner didn’t renew it and I got another chance at it. Again, Network Solutions support was great — they walked me through the whole reservation process and the re-registration.

Anywhere, anytime

At the heart of convergence is a desire to link up with, and understand, other intelligent people, potentially in many locations.

This mind-to-mind communications transcends time zones (I’ve spent late nights organizing functions in Hong Kong and Sydney and come to work way early to coordinate with Germany and U.K.) — in fact, it has the potential of rendering the solar calendar unnecessary.

This converged communications brings one step closer the potential for a truly unified globe, the kind that Asimov and Heinlein predicted. With convergence comes a common language. It could be any language, most likely English or Japanese to begin — but eventually it WILL morph into a completely unique, universally understood language of communications.

As the technology improves and more capabilities are added to the device list, the language may cease to be spoken or written and may become symbolic and visual. Who needs words when streaming media is so much more compelling. And with the massive rendering engines (Toy Story, etc.) becoming more accessible, smaller, and less expensive, we may all someday be able to create our own little visual vignettes.

If we can do business over the airwaves, through wi-fi or the cellular spectrum — or maybe the Next Big Thing, whatever it is — anything becomes possible. Parents are better able to protect children, mobile offices become easier to establish, and the labor force is empowered from wherever is most functional or comfortable.

I’m reminded of two conversations I had at JavaOne, neither related to Java or development. Both are facets of communications that demonstrate

I talked to a content syndicator who wants to (and soon will be able to) push newspaper and television content out to any wireless device that accepts an XML stream. In other words, the publishers suddenly have access to thousands of devices worldwide AND millions of subscribers worldwide have access to any news any time any where.

I met a fellow from a major Midwestern (USA) university who is frustrated trying to communicate with his service staff, who spend considerable time in the institution’s 23 miles of steam tunnels. The “walkie-talkie” devices work close to the surface but not deep in the physical network. But — their cell phones seem to work from everywhere. He’s looking for a way to communicate to all at once, to groups at a time, and to individuals, to send routing information, service orders, even blueprints when appropriate.

It’s an awesome challenge but we seem to be overcoming the problems a leap at a time. By the time I retire, I expect global communications convergence. And by the time my children (26 and 22) retire, I expect they will be tied to their work and community in converged ways I can’t even dream now.

Check out my online article A New Paradigm for more thoughts.