Domains / Internet Technology News - DNS News

Org Registry (PIR) CEO Resigns

2010-08-26T14:31:04Z

Alexa Raad has announced that she will be leaving PIR at the end of next month to "seek new challenges".

In a press release issued yesterday the registry operator highlighted some of the achievements under Ms Raad's leadership, such as the growth of the registration base and the deployment of DNSSEC.

Maarten Botterman will be interim CEO while the registry seeks a replacement for Ms Raad.

Eurid Report Shows Registrants Prefer Local Registrars

2010-08-23T10:56:39Z

Eurid, the registry operator for .eu, have released a report in relation to how registrants register their .eu domain names ie. if you are based in country X, are you more likely to use a registrar based "in country" or go overseas?

The results show that 65% of registrants stay with a domestic registrar, 18% choose another registrar in the EU, while 17% choose a registrar from outside the EU.

The results are probably a bit biased, as some of the largest registrars in terms of reseller networks are from outside the EU and probably account for a very large portion of the non-EU registrar sales. Whether the registrants are even aware of this or not is an entirely different matter.

Further information is available on the Eurid site.

TRAFFIC Dublin Auction List Published

2010-08-22T21:48:42Z

The full list of domains that are going under the hammer at TRAFFIC Dublin was released before the weekend.

While it is an impressive list I would wonder how many of these names will find buyers this week.

Here is the full list:

SeoulKorea.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

MunichGermany.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

WhiskeyExporters.com, WhiskeyDistributors.com WhiskeyExporters.com, WhiskeySuppliers.com, WhiskeyDistributors.com,

WhiskeyWholesalers.com, WhiskeyProviders.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

UI.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

NicotinePatches.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

iStockmarket.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

NPR.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DebitCard.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DebtSolutions.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

4wd.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Cheesecakes.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

BS.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Italian.net Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

OrganicBabyfood.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

GJ.net Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Mouse.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

CreditAlerts.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Lover.net Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

iDublin.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

SaaS.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Bankers.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

DA.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

PregnancyTest.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

X2.net Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

MedicalDisability.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Dublin.net Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Models.co.uk Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Headache.org Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

ER.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Career.co.uk Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

HumanResources.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

IrelandProperties.eu Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

BookShops.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

74.co.uk Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

ArtificialSweetener.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Outsourcing.in Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

HomeSchooling.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

LDV.asia Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

7 Domain Disc Golf Lot including: DiscGolfDrivers.com, DiscGolfCarts.comDiscGolfDrivers.com, DiscGolfPutter.com, DiscGolfPutters.com,

DiscGolfMidrange.com, DiscGolfCarts.com, DiscGolfShoes.com and

MissouriDiscGolf.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000

Euro

eFilms.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

JG.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Motorbikes.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Calculators.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Dominatrix.com, Dominatrix.us,

TheDomina.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

NBAUpdates.com,

NFLUpdates.com, MLBUpdates.com and NHLUpdates.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Restaurants.im Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

EQI.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

GrapeDrink.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

BrewersYeast.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Seasonings.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Inns.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Andre.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DublinAccommodations.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DisposableIncome.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

ScotlandTours.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Java.in Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Ulster.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Balding.co.uk Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Musician.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Customer-Support.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

TrackAndField.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Lifts.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

WV.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

StopSmokingSupport.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

PetShops.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Doma.in Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Recados.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

L.biz Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

AER.asia Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Strippers.se Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

HawaiiBeaches.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

PreLaw.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

SEO.in Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

CreditCardMachines.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

NorthernIreland.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

ForexExchange.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

TaxConsultants.co.uk Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

CTR.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

CBD.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

VideoPoker.asia Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

AXJ.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Microphones.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

MakeMoney.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

iAntiques.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Keyboard.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Gold.co.uk Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

GreensFee.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Disabled.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

GreensFees.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

BankAuctions.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

WomensNutrition.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

LHS.asia Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Cruise.lc, Cruises.lc and

Golf.lc Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

BreastEnhancement.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Catamarans.co Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

eAutoLoans.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Music.co.uk Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Pedicure.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Shut.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Kyiv.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

DublinConcerts.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Portugal.biz Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Pearl-Earrings.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Consolidate.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Html.in Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Taurine.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

BJD.com, .net, .org, .info,

.us Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Majors.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

ShortFilms.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Flori.st Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

AutoInsuranceCompanies.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Folders.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

KAS.asia Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

BullRiders.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Crunchy.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Saws.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

D3.eu Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

NRR.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

SupremeCourt.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

UNP.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Installs.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Cashout.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

HedgeFundBroker.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

VancouverFishing.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Kleptomania.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

RateQuote.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Anniversary.org Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Enlist.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

75.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

8.ag Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

TBU.de Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

GiantPanda.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

iApartment.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Planners.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

CorkDoctors.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

IrishBlog.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

BreastCancer.net Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Tower.us Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

ChocolateDrink.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

HomeRefinancing.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Luimneach.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Recovery.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

ChildrensNutrition.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

WiFiSupport.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Dublin.co.uk Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

WorkAtHome.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

AXQ.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

DublinProperties.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

LAC.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

CollegePorn.eu Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Affiliates.co.uk Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Breaks.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

BusinessApparel.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

CabinRentals.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Rankings.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

SnoringMedication.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

PHP.in Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Congress.co.uk Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Photograph.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

BioMeds.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Disk.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

IrelandProperties.org Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

GourmetSnacks.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Effort.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Marina.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

AutoLoanCalculator.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

USK.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Pickles.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Discs.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Password.net Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

WorkOnline.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

DigitalImaging.com Reserve Range: 100,000+ Euro

Reference.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

PreSeasons.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Skaters.com Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

Skills.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Classy.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DublinStorage.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Vouchers.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Magazines.us Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

WeLoveDublin.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

ShannonTourism.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

MobilePhone.bz Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

N.biz Reserve Range: 20,001 – 100,000 Euro

InternationalFlights.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Programming.in Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Incompatible.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Copper.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

EIU.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

DrinkMix.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

DublinDoctors.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Nr1.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Occupations.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Chamber.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Messages.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Advertisements.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Literary.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

GEQ.com Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Talking.net Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

DublinGuide.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Employee.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

eNetwork.com Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

Equity.us Reserve Range: 5,001 – 20,000 Euro

PDFReader.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

CMT.co.uk Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Party-Costumes.com Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Clip.us Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Pendulum.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Funds.us Reserve Range: 1,501 – 5,000 Euro

Waiver.net Reserve Range: 1 – 1,500 Euro

Get Independent Domain Statistics - For Free!

2010-08-12T17:49:10Z

Some ideas are so incredibly simple, yet they solve a very obvious problem.

One such problem is domain name statistics.

In this case I'm talking about parked domains. If you buy and sell domains it can help both parties to know how much traffic (and revenue) a domain is actually getting - as opposed to what the seller might like you to think. And of course getting those figures from an independent 3rd party makes them a lot more meaningful.

Andrew from DomainNameWire has recently launched a new service that does just that - and only that. It provides domain owners with a very simple tool to create certificates showing how much traffic, revenue etc., a domain is actually getting.

The system is very very easy to use.

Simply signup and confirm your email address.

Once you're logged in you can create certificates either for one domain, multiple domains or your entire portfolio (you can upload a text file).

The system currently supports Sedo, Parked.com, DomainSponsor and Skenzo, but other parking companies will be added over time.

Here's one I made earlier (click to enlarge) showing traffic only (some details have been obfuscated):

It's an interesting and useful service, so I'll be keeping an eye on it in the months to come.

Nominet Publish Summary and Analysis of Short Domain Consultation

2010-08-10T09:21:42Z

Nominet, the registry operator for co.uk, have published the summary and analysis report on their recently held consultation on the release of reserved short domains.

The document, which runs to 25 pages, covers the background of the consultation process as well as providing an overview of the feedback received.

The consultation was open from March 8th 2010 to June 8th 2010 and during that time over 150 responses were received.

You can download the document from the Nominet site here

Demand Media (eNom) Files for IPO

2010-08-07T11:40:52Z

Demand Media, which owns eNom, has started the process of an IPO. As part of that process the company has filed documents that reveal its earnings, business practices and a full list of its subsidiaries.

A lot of the domain industry blogs will be following this story very closely, as the filings reveal quite a lot about one of the biggest companies in the domain name industry.

The non-industry coverage will probably focus on the economics and the company's core business...

More coverage here, here and here, with more here

IEDR Adds New Board Member and Issues More Figures

2010-08-04T10:58:52Z

I've been sitting on this "news" for a while, as I waiting on the registry to announce it ..

Fergal O' Byrne, who was the Irish Internet Association CEO and is currently CEO of startup Sonru, has been appointed to the IEDR's board as a non-executive director. According to filings with the Irish companies' office O'Byrne's appointment is effective from the end of May 2010, though it was only announced to the public today.

What is interesting, from a domain industry perspective, is that O'Byrne's appointment could signal one of two things. Either the IEDR are trying to change and actually want board members with industry experience or they are seeking to pay "lip service" to industry.

O'Byrne's appointment may be a good thing, but his role as a non-exec means that he won't be able to have as much impact as some of us in industry would like to see.

Of course it's been a busy few weeks over at IEDR central. They also announced last week that the 2nd quarter of 2010 was the "best performing quarter for .ie domain registrations in Ireland since records began".

While the figures for the quarter in terms of new registrations may have been up, the total zone size hasn't increased that dramatically and still hovers below the 150k mark.

You may also notice that the IEDR communications are now referring to "registrars" instead of "resellers". This change is due to the introduction of signed agreements between registrars and the registry operator in the last few months. More on that anon.

More Competition in New TLDs

2010-07-30T09:50:00Z

GMO Registry, which is part of the GMO Internet group, has been pushing dotShop, but it now appears that at least one other company is interested in pitching for it too..

This isn't the only new TLD project with competition and if ICANN announces tangible timelines in Cartagena you can expect to see a lot more of this..

Are ICANN Senior Staff Getting A Payrise?

2010-07-30T01:32:38Z

At the ICANN meeting in Brussels one of the topics that came up for discussion both during the public forum and the board meeting, was the topic of remuneration.

That time round it was specifically in relation to the board and more specifically its chair. The discussion during the public forum was very interesting, as getting the balance right in such matters is awkward.

There is currently an open comment period on the topic

In any case it now transpires that the ICANN board held a meeting on June 23rd to discuss staff salaries. Or more specifically, the salaries of some of the more senior staff members, namely Kurt Pritz, John Jeffrey and Rod Beckstrom.

You can read more about the meeting here, though the details are pretty scant. What it looks like is that they've empowered Beckstrom to review both Pritz and Jeffrey's salaries - presumably upwards.

That an organisation would have some form of salary review process in place is logical. But during the current economic climate a lot of companies (and other organisations) are either freezing salaries or even reducing them.

And in typical ICANN style the salary review will involve more costs than just the actual increase in wages.Why? Well it's ICANN, isn't it? Instead of simply adjusting salaries they're going to pay consultants to tell them how much they should pay them ...

Beckstrom's salary is also included in this review .. ..

DNS.be Announces New Operations Manager

2010-07-29T12:50:03Z

DNS.be, the registry operator for .be, has announced that Chris Peetermans has been appointed as its Operations Manager.

Several senior members of the registry's management team left the organisation last year.

Press release below:

New Operations Manager for DNS BE

Louvain, 29th July. DNS BE has a new Operations Manager, Chris Peetermans, and that means that the direction team is almost complete again, except for one position. The combination of promoting in-house specialists and carefully selecting external managers enables DNS BE to face the challenges of the years ahead.

Chris Peetermans got his Master degrees in electronics, option computer engineering in 1992. After a career of more than 20 years with Belgacom, of which the last 10 years in various technical and commercial managerial positions, he decided to move to a different telecom company. For several years he combined his managerial position there with the position of ICT manager in a company of the diamond sector. Therefore Chris has loads of experience in setting up highly secured LAN/WAN networks. In the meantime he also obtained the Cisco CCNA and CCND certificates.

This is a new move in Chris' career; since 1st July he is Operations Manager with DNS BE. He emphasizes on developing an even more professional organisation, with particular attention to quality, security and the availability of the network, without losing sight of the costs.

So DNS BE sees a creative and experienced ICT jack-of-all-trades enter the company.

Later this summer DNS BE will announce who will be the last member of the management team, the new marketing and communications manager. From then on, a boost will be given to DNS BE's communications policy. DNS BE will indeed be launching a campaign during fall to better back up its 450 registrars.

New Logo - Good ? Bad?

2010-07-29T12:07:17Z

Since switching domains over I've been planning on a complete revamp of this site's look and feel. The first place to start with this is with the logo.

So this is the current one I'm thinking of using:

What do you think?

CENTR Is Hiring

2010-07-26T11:47:10Z

CENTR has announced an open position in its Brussels office. The role is being advertised as a part-time office manager position.

More details on their site

Happy Birthday .uk!

2010-07-24T16:44:07Z

2010 is the year that .com celebrates 25 years, but it's also the year the .uk marks a quarter of a century.

Over 25 years the .uk namespace has grown and grown to become one of the most widely used addresses on the internet outside of .com

The growth pattern is quite interesting.

During the first 11 years only 26 thousand domains were registered. One million names were in the zone by February 2000, which then grew to 5 million by 2006.

There are currently over 8.5 million .uk domains!

If you're a fan of statistics you can see the latest numbers from the registry here

DotCo Launch - Over 90 Thousand Names in 15 Minutes!

2010-07-20T18:16:13Z

DotCo, which is the ccTLD for Colombia, is opening up to general public registration today.
According to official sources from both Neustar and CoInternet the registry has handled over 90 thousand registrations in the first 15 minutes!

You can expect the various domain / internet news sites to carry more updates on the volume of registrations over the next 24 hours and beyond.

While the initial registration phase of any new domain extension can attract a lot of media interest and a flood of registrations you need to look at the "big picture".

In a few months time when the initial excitement has died down how many new registrations per day will there be?

More importantly, how many of the domains initially registered will be in active use? And by active use, I mean not "parked" or simply redirecting to an existing site?

The key players in CoInternet's pre-launch marketing have a lot of experience in the domain name industry, so it was not that surprising to see how much hype they were able to generate in advance.

But will that translate into active usage?

I certainly hope so, as many people have invested heavily in the new extension, but I would be worried, as always, that a disproportionate number of names might end up under the control of domain professionals.

It's too early to tell obviously, so in the meantime let's wish them all the best of luck with the launch - it looks like it's going very well so far!

ICANN's Ombudsman In The News Again

2010-07-19T09:45:59Z

DomainNameWire has a story about Frank Fowlie, ICANN's ombudsman, being in the news again.

Fowlie attracted some negative attention a few months ago when an incident involving him and Air Canada made news.

He's since been trying to get his name removed from the public record, but has failed.