Last month, I advised my intention to step away from Domainer.com.au; and the domain industry generally.
As I also said back then, I wanted to find the right person to take over my labour of love. That someone had to have a similar level of passion for the domain industry in Australia – and importantly, they also had to have the time to devote to the blog on a weekly basis.
There were two people that I considered as exceptional in this regard.
One was my long standing friend Luke Summers who has helped me from the beginning with Domainer. Without his input and friendship, this blog would have been a lot poorer. His technical knowledge on the back-end has been invaluable; as have his articles.
The other person was Robert Kaay. He hasn’t been involved with domains as long as Luke and I, but he is one incredibly motivated and successful person. He’s been prepared to learn the business the hard way, and he has achieved remarkable success in the domain industry generally. To my mind, he is now also the best domain broker in Australia (better than I ever was). His involvement with Domainer started back in December 2015 with this great guest article.
Decision Time
This was made really easy. Luke told me about a month ago that he was also diverting a lot of his time and efforts outside of the domain industry, and he would not be able to do Domainer justice. I appreciated his candour.
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I announce Robert Kaay has agreed to take over the reins. I think he will take Domainer to greater heights than I ever did, and more importantly, he will keep the focus on the immense challenges facing the Australian domain name space.
The Mechanics
Robert will be purchasing Domainer.com.au and the website, but this will take a few weeks to properly put into place (I’m about to go away for two weeks).
However, to get things underway, Robert will officially take over the responsibility of being Publisher of Domainer.com.au as from today (after this article). Any articles, posts or comments published from hereon in will be his legal responsibility.
My son Luke will be assisting him in the interim.
Good luck Robert!
Ned O’Meara – 29 May 2018
Disclaimer
Thanks Ned, and I’m very excited!
The auDA (.AU Domain Administrator) and the PRP (Policy Review Panel – created by auDA) have been under attack over the past few years by members, Registrars and the general business public due to many issues.
There has never been a more important time in Australia’s internet domain name space and this is why auDA board members, auDA members, Registrars, Media and the Australian business community are currently fiercely debating how our Australian online future is going to look.
Domainer has always been a great news source for what’s really happening at the core of the Australian domain name industry and how it’s governed. It’s been a great place where we can pull back the curtain, so to speak, to see the truth, instead of the “politically correct spiel”. We’ll all be forever grateful for you Ned, for creating such a place.
With all that’s going on at the moment, like Direct .AU Registration implementation, a new Registry, the auDA Government Review and the impending, historic SGM (Special General Meeting) fast approaching on July 27th, and Ned O’Meara (who has run Domainer for many years) stepping into retirement, I asked Ned if he wouldn’t mind me taking over Domainer as publisher. He has agreed, and I hope to do him proud. Any articles I write will of course be solely my opinion from this point forward (and my legal responsibility as a “Publisher”).
They’re big shoes to fill, and I know we’re all thankful for the hard and unpaid work Ned has poured into Domainer over the past five years. There’s no doubt he has permanently changed the trajectory of our Australian domain name space forever, along with many other passionate auDA members and domain name investors who have felt the same way.
Now, it’s up to all of us in the Australian domain name industry to ensure we don’t take any backward steps and allow a small handful of people in power, and the auDA-controlled PRP, to continue to steer our beloved Australian domain names in the wrong direction.
I invite all past and present domainers, investors and interested parties to accept my invitation to join the Domainer 2.0 community as we move forward in helping to fix this derailed Australian Domain Name Space train-wreck that auDA and the PRP have helped to cause over the past few years.
Let’s get things back on track with the ultimate aim of having a stable, positive Australian domain name and internet community.
Robert Kaay
I look forward to seeing what you do with Domainer. As you say, big shoes to fill but I am sure you will do great.
Mark
Thanks for the kind words Ned. Being involved with domainer.com.au over the years was a lot of fun.
I greatly value our friendship and like many others in this industry, I have also learnt a great deal from you. You have contributed enormously to the Australian domain industry and you leave behind an impressive legacy. I have no doubt that you will be just as successful in your new endeavours in other fields.
I’ll be watching the Australian domain industry with interest, but with other demands on my time, will be much less involved for the foreseeable future.
I wish you all the very best Robert – good luck!
Just saw this now. Good luck with the website Rob and I’m sure you will make a great sucessor.
Don