Just wanted to share some thoughts with you again. Would love to hear your opinion on any domain related topics that may be of interest or concern to you.
Reflection 1
I think that 2016 is going to be a big year for some agitation with regards the potential introduction of direct registrations – e.g. domainer.au.
From speaking with “real people” every day (and by real people I mean those who are not domainers; domain investors; registrars; resellers etc), I would say that at least 80% of them are not aware of what is being proposed. Nor would they have a clue as to how they could be potentially affected.
I stood up at the auDA Annual General Meeting and asked the Board what could be done to increase Demand Class membership from the current measly 129 members. They said that they have tried everything to increase member numbers – but would welcome written suggestions from anyone who had bright ideas. I intend doing so – and if anyone else has ideas, please make the effort to let the auDA know!
One interesting angle to look at is the Canadian domain space. CIRA is their auDA. Membership is free if you are the holder of a domain. It is not automatically foisted on people – it is an opt in process by simply ticking a box. However they do have approximately 15,000 members! And these members get informed of everything to do with the evolution and growth of the .ca space – and they ultimately get to vote on change. That’s the way it should be.
Have a read of their member benefits.
Reflection 2
Frank Schilling’s Uniregistry is now an approved auDA ISS Certified Registrar – UniRegistrar Corporation
Whilst they aren’t quite ready for business yet here in Australia, apparently they soon will be. This will be a huge shake-up for the .au space.
Uniregistry has some of the most awesome domain management tools for domain professionals – and they are linked with DNS – Domain Name Sales.
Industry veterans may be familiar with DomainNameSales, the leading platform for premium domain sales and monetization. If you already have a DNS account, you can link it with your Uniregistry account, providing easier portfolio management, transfers, tracking, and more.
What do you think – will you use them?
Reflection 3
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And remember, I would love to hear your thoughts on any topics that may be of interest or concern to you. Post them publicly here; or send them to me privately.
That Canadian solution looks like a good idea.
I therefore doubt it will be taken up.
Classic David!
Like the look of Uniregistry. Wonder how they will handle Registrant Name Changes in Australia? Any prices mentioned yet?
@Darius – I emailed Frank S yesterday, and he was kind enought to respond.
“We want to execute with Uniregistry excellence so it feels like the most simple and easy place to register or transfer an .au name so we are working hard to meet a Dec 31 deadline”.
Uniregistry’s Direct of Operations (Heather Pierre) also sent me an email, and I will follow her up with regards pricing etc.
Uniregistry will be breath of fresh air for marketplace. Their portfolio tools are better than anything on offer here.
Their pricing will have to be ultra competitive because they need to grab some market share.
@Trevor – agreed on all points!
auDA Board is dominated and controlled by supply class directors who mostly push their own agendas. Registrants don’t get a look in.