Quite naturally, the release by the auDA 2015 Names Policy Panel of their draft recommendations (about the use and allocation of .au domain names) has provoked a firestorm of comments on forums and blogs.
Some people have even questioned the morals, ethics, intelligence and allegiances of the Panel members in arriving at these draft recommendations.
As a Panel member, I find that particulary unfair and uninformed. Obviously I cannot comment on internal Panel machinations and discussions, but if you think we are all “yes men and women”, and that there is some great conspiracy going on, then you are wrong.
For a start, we are all doing this on a voluntary basis (i.e. we don’t get paid for the many hours we put into this). All types of stakeholders are represented, and a lot of us have different opinions on some things. But what we have in common is that we’re all passionate about the future of the .au space.
Our role is to operate under our “Terms of Reference“. We are not the final decision makers either. The auDA Board is.
If you also think that certain recommendations made in the latest draft are guaranteed to be approved, then I will respectfully tell you that you don’t understand the process. (And just by the way, I wasn’t at last meeting when these were discussed – I was in India).
Please read the Executive Summary of the draft recommendations again – particularly the last paragraph on page one. Underlining is mine.
Importantly,the recommendations set out in this paper are in draft form. They are not set in stone, and the Panel will take into account the comments it receives through this consultation process, before finalising its recommendations to the auDA Board.
This is not about us (Panel members) – it’s about you. That’s why the process is called “Public Consultation”!
The more people that actually put their point of view across via a written submission or survey response, the easier it will be for the Panel to arrive at an informed set of final recommendations.
Everything to date is interim. This is a marathon, not a sprint. đŸ™‚
Important Disclaimer
- I am a member of the Names Policy Panel, and I’ve attended every panel meeting this year – except for the last meeting on 6th August when these draft recommendations were formulated (I was in India).
- I am also a domainer / domain investor with a substantial portfolio of com.au domain names.
Keep calm and register the .net.au?
Absolutely – that’s a great idea David.
But let me save you the bother. Can I send you a list instead? I’m prepared to let you have some of mine really cheap. đŸ˜€
Surely existing .com.au domain holders will get first rights to .au if and when it comes in? After all, 86% of the 3 million .au domains are .com.au.
When Nominet in the UK tried to bring .uk in, they had some crazy suggestions. There was almost a riot. So they had to change track. Eventually the predominant extension (.co.uk) was given prior rights. Read about it here on DNJournal: http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20131121.htm
Ben, if you feel that should be the position, then make sure you put that forward by way of submission.
As I said in my post this is a public consultation. The Names Panel doesn’t sit there and simply decide what it wants. It is the public responses that count; and what will guide the final recommendations.
Speak up or forever hold your peace.
Ed, you unfortunately think you have a say at the panel. You are on the team but on the bench .
It appears Auda, Netregistry, some registrars want another extension so they can profit from it. They have been pushing for this for at least 10 years and they wont stop pushing. This is how it comes across to even the most loyal supporters of them.
When you get very qualified professors who have been involved in the internet since day 1 of it starting in Australia coming out saying they it is nothing but a money grab you have to pay attention.
Please do not assume you will be listened to. You are a Domainer and no matter if Domainers created the values of domain names globally some on the panel and board will never accept this.
If you seriously are against it stand up and say NO to .AU. Other panel and board members are blogging, media releases etc they support it … They are pushing
The outcome is October November. It is the last leg sprint by some.