By Duane J. Higgins, ceo,
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
So I have been writing here for a few months now regarding what I see as an innovative and potentially explosive application for Internet domain names. What I call "domain taglines" or "taglines" for short.
What domain name taglines do is to "nudge" the historic domain name from its comfy loft as the "website name" or "website address" to a more expanded and variable usage of the "domain name tagline."
The imptetus for the development of the "domain as tagline" concept comes from the ongoing introduction of upwards of 1000 new domain name extensions. We now have or will have the following new domain name extensions in addition to hundreds and hundreds more:
.app, .accountants, .blog, .beer, .best, .buzz, .cool, .direct, .email,
.guru, .fun, .group, .fashion, .life, .link, .love, .money, .music, .news, .ninja, .deals, .play,
.shop, .sport, .video, .web, .club, .design, .flowers, .cool, .tube, .agency, .bargains, .builders, .cafe, .care, .center, .cheap, .clothing, .condos, .fitness, .guide, .help, .jewelry, .lawyer, market, .menu, .pizza, .pub, .rentals and on and on.
Domain
taglines represent an expanded usage of traditional domain names. What they
do is to utilize the domain name system (DNS) to create what are called 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
5th, 6th (etc) level domain names that create nifty phrases that can be used for linking. To
get right to the point here are some examples. I have separated
business (tagline ads) from personal (social media) taglines as they are
really different in style of usage.
Example business/advertising taglines:
miami.seaside.rentals
best.frozen.pizza
return.to.seventies.fashion
bostons.original.beer
earn.extra.cash
seattle.bike.guru
the.freelancers.web
fantasy.sports.lovers.club
best.scallops.online
get.your.free.artisan.website
maine.made.shop.
super.secret.deals
home.and.hearth.design
local.lawn.and.garden.help
gluten.free.market
small.town.lawyer
Example social media taglines (identification, branding and linking):
dog.lovers.blog
street.actor
skateboard.style
detroit.sexy
epic.rugby
mary.davis.rocks
football.life
gifted.one
coding.guru
smash.mouth.football.
country.cool
cafe.buzz
why.not.look.your.best
None of these example taglines are even vaguely innovative or creative. I just threw them together for demonstration purposes. However, you can get the idea that there are limitless possibilities for creative and memorable taglines of unlimited creativity and length.
The definition of the tagline from Wikipedia.org is here: In entertainment, a tagline (or tag line[1][2]) is a small amount of text which serves to clarify a thought for, or designed with a form of, dramatic effect. Many tagline slogans are reiterated phrases associated with an individual, social group, or product. As a variant of a branding slogan, taglines can be used in marketing materials and advertising.
And just a few opportunities for linking from the tagline:
website
web page
blog
Twitter page
You Tube site
Instagram
Linkedin
your store or shop
social cause
political cause
political campaigns
sports teams
clubs and other groups etc.
I also wanted to bring up something very interesting with the advent of adblocker apps and browsers. What I find interesting is that the adblock apps will likely drive a shift towards more native advertising or sponsored posts. Whereas websites place advertorial style content in editorial posts with disclosure regarding what is paid for.
Yes, the ad blocker apps are a direct attack on Googles revenue platform. However, it is very possible that tagline ads could be the beneficiary of the ad block apps. Adblock apps and browsers wont block domain names. Domain name are integral to every website and location on the Internet. Domain taglines are domain names as well.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
The Evolution of the Domain Name.
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
The first domain name (Symbolics.com) was registered in 1985. Today there are more than 295 million total domain names registered. Those are impressive numbers. But what about expanded domain name usage and applications?
In looking at this subject I wanted to take more of a historic look at the evidence of the use of names and naming for communication purposes. Some of the first evidence comes in the form of calling cards or visitor cards where the first usage was documented over 500 years ago.
It is believed that calling cards first came in use in China during the 1500's. From there they moved to Italy and then to the rest of Europe.
From Wikipedia.org:
In 18th century Europe, the footmen of aristocrats and royalty would deliver these first European visiting cards to the servants of their prospective hosts solemnly introducing the arrival of their owners. A visiting card, also known as a calling card, is a small paper card with one's name printed on it, and often bearing an artistic design.
Visiting or calling cards became an indispensable tool of etiquette,
with sophisticated rules governing their use. The essential convention
was that one person would not expect to see another person in his own
home (unless invited or introduced) without first leaving his visiting
card for the person at his home. Upon leaving the card, he would not
expect to be admitted at first, but might receive a card at his own home
in response. This would serve as a signal that a personal visit and
meeting at home would be welcome. On the other hand, if no card were
forthcoming, or if a card were sent in an envelope, a personal visit was
thereby discouraged.
As an adoption from French, they were called une carte d'adresse from 1615 to 1800, and then became carte de visite or visiteur with the advent of photography in the mid 19th century. Visiting cards became common amongst the aristocracy of Europe, and also in the United States.
Some visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments, embossed lettering, and fantastic coats of arms. However, the standard form visiting card in the 19th century in the United Kingdom was a plain card with nothing more than the bearer's name on it.
The visiting card is no longer the universal feature of upper middle class and upper class life that it once was in Europe and North America. Much more common is the business card, in which contact details, including address and telephone number, are essential.
They identify the person or entity and they link to another person, entity or service.
So yes, many things have changed over time. As we all know that is called progress. We no longer use the telegraph machine much (apparently a few are still in use). The quill and ink is gone as well as the printing press. Same for the typewriter and maybe someday soon the table top computer.
But the changes in all of these cases and with most technology is often incremental and sometimes dramatic. A more subtle and possibly significant change could be happening in the domain name space.
What I see is an interesting iteration of the domain name for use as social media taglines, virtual taglines, domain taglines, dot taglines and dot slogans. You will see a dot tagline included in this tweet:
From Wikipedia.org an iteration is the act of repeating a process with the aim of approaching a desired goal, target or result. Each repetition of the process is also called an "iteration", and the results of one iteration are used as the starting point for the next iteration.
Did the "calling card" from 500 years ago become the domain name of today?
Will the domain name of today become the dot tagline of tomorrow?
Only time will tell.
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
The first domain name (Symbolics.com) was registered in 1985. Today there are more than 295 million total domain names registered. Those are impressive numbers. But what about expanded domain name usage and applications?
In looking at this subject I wanted to take more of a historic look at the evidence of the use of names and naming for communication purposes. Some of the first evidence comes in the form of calling cards or visitor cards where the first usage was documented over 500 years ago.
It is believed that calling cards first came in use in China during the 1500's. From there they moved to Italy and then to the rest of Europe.
From Wikipedia.org:
In 18th century Europe, the footmen of aristocrats and royalty would deliver these first European visiting cards to the servants of their prospective hosts solemnly introducing the arrival of their owners. A visiting card, also known as a calling card, is a small paper card with one's name printed on it, and often bearing an artistic design.
As an adoption from French, they were called une carte d'adresse from 1615 to 1800, and then became carte de visite or visiteur with the advent of photography in the mid 19th century. Visiting cards became common amongst the aristocracy of Europe, and also in the United States.
Some visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments, embossed lettering, and fantastic coats of arms. However, the standard form visiting card in the 19th century in the United Kingdom was a plain card with nothing more than the bearer's name on it.
The visiting card is no longer the universal feature of upper middle class and upper class life that it once was in Europe and North America. Much more common is the business card, in which contact details, including address and telephone number, are essential.
So why am I going back 500 years to talk about Internet domain names?
The reason is that Internet domain names and visiting and calling cards (from 500 years ago) basically are and do exactly the same things.
They identify the person or entity and they link to another person, entity or service.
So yes, many things have changed over time. As we all know that is called progress. We no longer use the telegraph machine much (apparently a few are still in use). The quill and ink is gone as well as the printing press. Same for the typewriter and maybe someday soon the table top computer.
But the changes in all of these cases and with most technology is often incremental and sometimes dramatic. A more subtle and possibly significant change could be happening in the domain name space.
What I see is an interesting iteration of the domain name for use as social media taglines, virtual taglines, domain taglines, dot taglines and dot slogans. You will see a dot tagline included in this tweet:
Virtual taglines, domain taglines, social media taglines and dot slogans are here! http://t.co/BjJjawU2Lv
— Duane J. Higgins (@cybrands) September 16, 2015
From Wikipedia.org an iteration is the act of repeating a process with the aim of approaching a desired goal, target or result. Each repetition of the process is also called an "iteration", and the results of one iteration are used as the starting point for the next iteration.
Did the "calling card" from 500 years ago become the domain name of today?
Will the domain name of today become the dot tagline of tomorrow?
Only time will tell.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Social Media Taglines
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
During the presidential campaign of 1928, a circular published by the Republican Party claimed that if Herbert Hoover won there would be “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” (From InfoPlease.com).
So what is it going to take to get us all to the point that there is a domain name in nearly every Internet users hands?
I say what will take us there will be social media (or digital) taglines.
I do believe that social media (digital) taglines have the potential to explode the growth of the global top level domain names (gTLDs). I have written about his much recently. Particularly in this time and place of the massive domain name expansion. The expansion of generic Top-Level Domains (e.g. .COM, .ORG, .NET) in the Domain Name System is underway. Over 1,300 new names or "strings" could become available in the next few years.
So without trying to be overly dramatic. Here is an actual sighting of social media (digital) tagline in the wild. This is basically a screenshot of a tweet that utilized a social media tagline:
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
"A Domain Name In Every Pot."
During the presidential campaign of 1928, a circular published by the Republican Party claimed that if Herbert Hoover won there would be “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” (From InfoPlease.com).
So what is it going to take to get us all to the point that there is a domain name in nearly every Internet users hands?
I say what will take us there will be social media (or digital) taglines.
I do believe that social media (digital) taglines have the potential to explode the growth of the global top level domain names (gTLDs). I have written about his much recently. Particularly in this time and place of the massive domain name expansion. The expansion of generic Top-Level Domains (e.g. .COM, .ORG, .NET) in the Domain Name System is underway. Over 1,300 new names or "strings" could become available in the next few years.
So without trying to be overly dramatic. Here is an actual sighting of social media (digital) tagline in the wild. This is basically a screenshot of a tweet that utilized a social media tagline:
Social Media Taglines. tagline.science
— Duane J. Higgins (@cybrands) May 26, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Did Facebook Just "Like" the Digital Tagline?
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
I have been posting for several weeks regarding some exciting and innovative uses for domain names. As I had mentioned previously the key to adoption for the digital taglines and "dot slogans" will be integration into social media.
So I did find it more than interesting yesterday (May 11, 2015) when news came out in various news channels that Facebook is testing its own in-app search engine. An application that will allow users to post links in their status updates. Without having to visit Google or another search engine. The way it works is that users will see an "add a link" option next to buttons to add photos or other information. I'm sure Facebook will be providing more information on this little Google killer as we move forward.
So as I have mentioned digital taglines and dot slogans are nothing more than links. Links that either identify yourself with an Internet identity or brand or carry you to another location on the Internet. Just as most other domain names do.
So again here are a sample digital tagline .
your.tagline.link
Our digital tagline and dot slogan registry is here:
tagline.tech
Who will be the early adopters?
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
I have been posting for several weeks regarding some exciting and innovative uses for domain names. As I had mentioned previously the key to adoption for the digital taglines and "dot slogans" will be integration into social media.
So I did find it more than interesting yesterday (May 11, 2015) when news came out in various news channels that Facebook is testing its own in-app search engine. An application that will allow users to post links in their status updates. Without having to visit Google or another search engine. The way it works is that users will see an "add a link" option next to buttons to add photos or other information. I'm sure Facebook will be providing more information on this little Google killer as we move forward.
So as I have mentioned digital taglines and dot slogans are nothing more than links. Links that either identify yourself with an Internet identity or brand or carry you to another location on the Internet. Just as most other domain names do.
So again here are a sample digital tagline .
your.tagline.link
Our digital tagline and dot slogan registry is here:
tagline.tech
Who will be the early adopters?
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Why Digital Taglines and Dot Slogans?
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
In a prior post titled "Mobile Phone Numbers, Email Addresses and ... Domain Names." I speculated that "there may be a time in the coming years where the question of "what's your domain name?" will be as common as the oft repeated questions of yesteryear such as "what's your email address?" or "what's your mobile phone number?
So I wanted to elaborate further as to how we could potentially get to that point in the future (where we all own a domain name or more than one)?
To start off I wanted to refer you to an article (by Barry Swartz) found this week in Search Engine Land. According to the article:
"Google Confirms New Experiment with Twitter in Search Results."
According to this article Google is expected to begin showing Twitter content in search this month.
Since, I have been discussing new and innovative uses of domain names recently with digital taglines and dot slogans. I wanted to start with what a digital tagline is to start with. Here is a copy of my last Tweet that included a digital tagline:
Duane J. Higgins @cybrands
tagline.tech is our domain name registry and reseller platform. Specializing in digital taglines and dot slogans. dot.tagline.link
The tagline (dot.tagline.link) is highlighted in the example.
Here is a digital tagline to our partner/reseller site: tagline.tech
What about digital tagline usage in Facebook? Instagram? You Tube? Search Engines (especially with voice recognition) etc.?
Are we on the ground floor of something really big?
I just wanted to ask a simple question as to how can digital taglines be used for effectiveness?
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
In a prior post titled "Mobile Phone Numbers, Email Addresses and ... Domain Names." I speculated that "there may be a time in the coming years where the question of "what's your domain name?" will be as common as the oft repeated questions of yesteryear such as "what's your email address?" or "what's your mobile phone number?
So I wanted to elaborate further as to how we could potentially get to that point in the future (where we all own a domain name or more than one)?
To start off I wanted to refer you to an article (by Barry Swartz) found this week in Search Engine Land. According to the article:
"Google Confirms New Experiment with Twitter in Search Results."
According to this article Google is expected to begin showing Twitter content in search this month.
Google is apparently finally making use of the new deal it signed with Twitter to
put tweets into Google’s search results. The company confirmed a
“small experiment” that some are seeing in the search results.
Is this "small experiment" the beginning of something big and potentially the impetus for social media "taglines" and dot slogans to ingrain themselves into popular culture?
Since, I have been discussing new and innovative uses of domain names recently with digital taglines and dot slogans. I wanted to start with what a digital tagline is to start with. Here is a copy of my last Tweet that included a digital tagline:
Duane J. Higgins @cybrands
tagline.tech is our domain name registry and reseller platform. Specializing in digital taglines and dot slogans. dot.tagline.link
The tagline (dot.tagline.link) is highlighted in the example.
Here is a digital tagline to our partner/reseller site: tagline.tech
What about digital tagline usage in Facebook? Instagram? You Tube? Search Engines (especially with voice recognition) etc.?
Are we on the ground floor of something really big?
I just wanted to ask a simple question as to how can digital taglines be used for effectiveness?
Monday, April 27, 2015
Are Digital Taglines a Way Forward for Domain Names?
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
The reason I ask is that the ongoing release of the new gTLDs (domain name extensions) so far has been met with a tepid response at best. In fact, the registration numbers of the new domain names are already 10s of millions below what had been projected and expected by many. Is it time for alarm bells? Perhaps it's just time we take a look at the potential expanded usage of Internet domain names as we move forward.
So, first we had .com, .net, .org and a handful of other domain name extensions. We now have or will soon have .app, .blog, .buzz, .guru, .fun, .group, .fashion, .love, .music, .news, .deals, .play, .shop, .sport, .video, .web, .club, .design, .flowers, .cool, .tube and on and on. Soon to be close to 1000 new domain name extensions added to the mix of available domain names.
From day one the Internet has been "aflutter" with methods and strategies that we all use for promotion and identification. From the individual to the corporation. With the evolution of the Internet and how that medium is integrated into all of our lives- many identification techniques have been created over time.
To name a few we have:
Real names, user names. email, screen names. aliases, domain names, web pages, urls, blogs, Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Twitter, Phone numbers and on, and on and on.
So what's next when it comes to ways to identify ourselves on the Internet?
I'm looking at digital taglines.
The definition of the tagline from Wikipedia.org is here:
In entertainment, a tagline (or tag line[1][2]) is a small amount of text which serves to clarify a thought for, or designed with a form of, dramatic effect. Many tagline slogans are reiterated phrases associated with an individual, social group, or product. As a variant of a branding slogan, taglines can be used in marketing materials and advertising.
This is an even better definition from TheFreeDictionary.com:
Here are a few examples of digital taglines that I threw together for demonstration purposes only. Note the dots between each word.
eloquent.actor
sleek.style
extra.cash
survivor.fan
abundant.life
You get the idea. With upwards of 1000 new domain name extensions currently being launched the possibilities are literally endless. Where could taglines be used?
Social media and advertising is the short answer.
As for social media, I could see digital taglines evolving to similar popularity as "hashtags."
We all know what hashtags are. They provide a way for social media users to tag their posts with keywords, which in turn make it easier for social networks to organize the information and for users to search.
To start off I wanted to refer you to an article (by Barry Swartz) found this week in Search Engine Land. According to the article:
"Google Confirms New Experiment with Twitter in Search Results."
According to this article Google is expected to begin showing Twitter content in search this month.
Digital taglines can be used anywhere that a domain name could be used and anywhere that a hashtag could be used and beyond. Think of digital taglines attached to social media posts. Remember that if you use the digital tagline you can then connect the tagline (string) to any other site or location that you want because the tagline is actually a domain name. Or you may just use the tagline for an identifier for you.
Digital Tagline vernacular could be integrated into everyday language just as the term "hastag" is often used relating to social media posts. For example sleek.style would be pronounced sleek (dot) style. yoga.gal would be yoga (dot) gal and on and on. Further integrating the use of taglines into popular media and culture.
Digital Taglines would be of course something that could be added to a marketing strategy. The tagline allows for more advertising, more marketing and most importantly more visibility and memorability. Dot slogans can be a new advertising channel.
There will soon be 1000 new domain name extensions. Certain domain extensions would certainly be "grooved" for tagline marketing. Some of those were listed above such as: .app, .blog, .best, .buzz, .guru, .group, .fashion, .love, .music, .news, .one, .deals, .play, .shop, .sport, .video, .web, .club, .design, .flowers, .green, .cool, .tube and on and on.
Is it possible that eventually we will also all need (or want) a dot brand? So what is the big advantage of the tagline?
And just a few opportunities for linking from the tagline:
website
web page
blog
Twitter page
You Tube site
Instagram
Linkedin
your store or shop
social cause
political cause
political campaigns
sports teams
clubs and other groups etc.
I also wanted to bring up something very interesting with the advent of adblocker apps and browsers. What I find interesting is that the adblock apps will likely drive a shift towards more native advertising or sponsored posts. Whereas websites place advertorial style content in editorial posts with disclosure regarding what is paid for.
Yes, the ad blocker apps are a direct attack on Googles revenue platform. However, it is very possible that tagline ads could be the beneficiary of the ad block apps. Adblock apps and browsers wont block domain names. Domain name are integral to every website and location on the Internet. Domain taglines are domain names as well.
Much like phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses. All digital taglines would be unique. Unique to you. Your brand. Your online identity. However you wanted to look at it and use it. No two would be the same. (by the way, the uniqueness is what makes domain names so valuable to begin with). The value is in the differentiation. The uniqueness. The originality. The unique value that can not be replicated. For example. Capital.com is probably worth several million dollars. What do you think Captial.com is worth? Virtually nothing. Those differentiations could apply to taglines as well.
xtradot.com and tagline.tech
"What's your tagline"?
Is there is going to be a time in the near future when the question of "what's your tagline" will become as common as the oft repeated questions of yesteryear such as "what's your phone number" or "what's your email?"
The reason I ask is that the ongoing release of the new gTLDs (domain name extensions) so far has been met with a tepid response at best. In fact, the registration numbers of the new domain names are already 10s of millions below what had been projected and expected by many. Is it time for alarm bells? Perhaps it's just time we take a look at the potential expanded usage of Internet domain names as we move forward.
So, first we had .com, .net, .org and a handful of other domain name extensions. We now have or will soon have .app, .blog, .buzz, .guru, .fun, .group, .fashion, .love, .music, .news, .deals, .play, .shop, .sport, .video, .web, .club, .design, .flowers, .cool, .tube and on and on. Soon to be close to 1000 new domain name extensions added to the mix of available domain names.
From day one the Internet has been "aflutter" with methods and strategies that we all use for promotion and identification. From the individual to the corporation. With the evolution of the Internet and how that medium is integrated into all of our lives- many identification techniques have been created over time.
To name a few we have:
Real names, user names. email, screen names. aliases, domain names, web pages, urls, blogs, Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Twitter, Phone numbers and on, and on and on.
So what's next when it comes to ways to identify ourselves on the Internet?
I'm looking at digital taglines.
The definition of the tagline from Wikipedia.org is here:
In entertainment, a tagline (or tag line[1][2]) is a small amount of text which serves to clarify a thought for, or designed with a form of, dramatic effect. Many tagline slogans are reiterated phrases associated with an individual, social group, or product. As a variant of a branding slogan, taglines can be used in marketing materials and advertising.
This is an even better definition from TheFreeDictionary.com:
tag line
n.
An often repeated phrase associated with an individual, organization, or commercial product; a slogan.
A domain name tagline is a subdomain that is formatted and formulated into a traditional tagline. Which can then be used to link to locations around the Internet. Just like the traditional domain name.
For example:
not.your.ordinary.band
Note the dots between the words. The dots denote that this phrase (tagline) is also a domain name as well.
So to clarify a few points. What exactly is a subdomain?
According to Wikipedia.org:
A subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain; the only domain that is not also a subdomain is the root domain.[1] For example, west.example.com and east.example.com are subdomains of the example.com domain, which in turn is a subdomain of the com top-level domain (TLD).
This is basic subdomain usage with a third level domain name::
.
http://products.yoursite.com
.com is the first level domain
yoursite is the second level domain
products is the third level domain
So what makes a subdomain a digital tagline?
A subdomain becomes a domain name tagline when it is formatted as a marketing tagline would be.
Because as it turns out that the same domain name system (DNS) that is capable of creating sub domains is quite capable of creating domain name taglines as well.
A domain name tagline is a subdomain that is formatted and formulated into a traditional tagline. Which can then be used to link to locations around the Internet. Just like the traditional domain name.
For example:
not.your.ordinary.band
Note the dots between the words. The dots denote that this phrase (tagline) is also a domain name as well.
So to clarify a few points. What exactly is a subdomain?
According to Wikipedia.org:
A subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain; the only domain that is not also a subdomain is the root domain.[1] For example, west.example.com and east.example.com are subdomains of the example.com domain, which in turn is a subdomain of the com top-level domain (TLD).
This is basic subdomain usage with a third level domain name::
.
http://products.yoursite.com
.com is the first level domain
yoursite is the second level domain
products is the third level domain
So what makes a subdomain a digital tagline?
A subdomain becomes a domain name tagline when it is formatted as a marketing tagline would be.
Because as it turns out that the same domain name system (DNS) that is capable of creating sub domains is quite capable of creating domain name taglines as well.
Here are a few examples of digital taglines that I threw together for demonstration purposes only. Note the dots between each word.
Some sample taglines:
eloquent.actor
sleek.style
extra.cash
survivor.fan
abundant.life
detroit.sexy
forever.rugby
country.cool
bee.expert
american.green
forever.rugby
country.cool
bee.expert
american.green
You get the idea. With upwards of 1000 new domain name extensions currently being launched the possibilities are literally endless. Where could taglines be used?
Social media and advertising is the short answer.
As for social media, I could see digital taglines evolving to similar popularity as "hashtags."
We all know what hashtags are. They provide a way for social media users to tag their posts with keywords, which in turn make it easier for social networks to organize the information and for users to search.
To start off I wanted to refer you to an article (by Barry Swartz) found this week in Search Engine Land. According to the article:
"Google Confirms New Experiment with Twitter in Search Results."
According to this article Google is expected to begin showing Twitter content in search this month.
Google is apparently finally making use of the new deal it signed with Twitter to
put tweets into Google’s search results. The company confirmed a
“small experiment” that some are seeing in the search results.
Is this "small experiment" the beginning of something big and potentially the impetus for social media "taglines" and dot slogans to ingrain themselves into popular culture?
I also did find it more than interesting yesterday (May 11, 2015) when news came out in various news channels that Facebook is testing its own in-app search engine. An application that will allow users to post links in their status updates. Without having to visit Google or another search engine. The way it works is that users will see an "add a link" option next to buttons to add photos or other information. I'm sure Facebook will be providing more information on this little Google killer as we move forward.
I also did find it more than interesting yesterday (May 11, 2015) when news came out in various news channels that Facebook is testing its own in-app search engine. An application that will allow users to post links in their status updates. Without having to visit Google or another search engine. The way it works is that users will see an "add a link" option next to buttons to add photos or other information. I'm sure Facebook will be providing more information on this little Google killer as we move forward.
Digital taglines can be used anywhere that a domain name could be used and anywhere that a hashtag could be used and beyond. Think of digital taglines attached to social media posts. Remember that if you use the digital tagline you can then connect the tagline (string) to any other site or location that you want because the tagline is actually a domain name. Or you may just use the tagline for an identifier for you.
Digital Tagline vernacular could be integrated into everyday language just as the term "hastag" is often used relating to social media posts. For example sleek.style would be pronounced sleek (dot) style. yoga.gal would be yoga (dot) gal and on and on. Further integrating the use of taglines into popular media and culture.
Digital Taglines would be of course something that could be added to a marketing strategy. The tagline allows for more advertising, more marketing and most importantly more visibility and memorability. Dot slogans can be a new advertising channel.
There will soon be 1000 new domain name extensions. Certain domain extensions would certainly be "grooved" for tagline marketing. Some of those were listed above such as: .app, .blog, .best, .buzz, .guru, .group, .fashion, .love, .music, .news, .one, .deals, .play, .shop, .sport, .video, .web, .club, .design, .flowers, .green, .cool, .tube and on and on.
Is it possible that eventually we will also all need (or want) a dot brand? So what is the big advantage of the tagline?
And just a few opportunities for linking from the tagline:
website
web page
blog
Twitter page
You Tube site
your store or shop
social cause
political cause
political campaigns
sports teams
clubs and other groups etc.
I also wanted to bring up something very interesting with the advent of adblocker apps and browsers. What I find interesting is that the adblock apps will likely drive a shift towards more native advertising or sponsored posts. Whereas websites place advertorial style content in editorial posts with disclosure regarding what is paid for.
Yes, the ad blocker apps are a direct attack on Googles revenue platform. However, it is very possible that tagline ads could be the beneficiary of the ad block apps. Adblock apps and browsers wont block domain names. Domain name are integral to every website and location on the Internet. Domain taglines are domain names as well.
Much like phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses. All digital taglines would be unique. Unique to you. Your brand. Your online identity. However you wanted to look at it and use it. No two would be the same. (by the way, the uniqueness is what makes domain names so valuable to begin with). The value is in the differentiation. The uniqueness. The originality. The unique value that can not be replicated. For example. Capital.com is probably worth several million dollars. What do you think Captial.com is worth? Virtually nothing. Those differentiations could apply to taglines as well.
The very first domain name (Symbolics.com) was registered in on March 15, 1985. Is it possible that we are heading a new era of taglines and dot slogans?
Our digital tagline platform is here. Get your first digital tagline or become a ground floor reseller!:
tagline.tech
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
A Mobile App Killer?
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
Is the Domain Name Platform a Mobile App Killer?
Probably not. But certainly a worthy challenger in many instances. Also, at worst a valuable adjunct to the mobile software app. So I have to finally come clean that I'm not a big mobile app person because I don't yet have a smartphone and have never texted. I may get there at some point however not yet. I got to thinking about this "mobile app revolution" that seemed to be taking over all of the communication and where that might go. Part of the reason I want to talk about mobile apps is that many have speculated that mobile apps would lead to the demise of domain names. I have been solidly on the domain name bandwagon and have made many posts to support that. My basic position regarding the continued value of domain names in our society is that:
Domain names represent the intersection of the real world and the Internet. They are identifiers and addresses. Something that we will continue to need. Just like we will always need personal names, telephone numbers, email addresses and residential addresses.
Domain names are the language of the Internet. They are how we communicate with the Internet in a very specific and irreplaceable way.
So all the talk about potential obsolescence of domain names has certainly raised an eyebrow with me a few times. With the ongoing release of upwards of 1000 new domain name extensions to the global marketplace I have a few thoughts regarding the "app-neutral" status of domain names. In addition to the inherent value of the domain name as a computing platform (and a rival and adjunct to the mobile app.)
Domain names may be the ultimate "app neutral" platform. That is, not dependent on a certain downloaded software or mobile app. Creating an independence from mobile apps that can be liberating.
Mobile software apps are most certainly brilliant developments and with revolutionary uses that are growing almost exponentially. This is not a bash on mobile apps. I know little to nothing about them however and I can appreciate their utility.
My focus for this post is on domain names. Nifty little "identification strings that define a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet." (Definition of domain names from Wikipedia.org).
"Identification strings" which take us to the web based or cloud based destination every time via the DNS (Domain Name System).
Without a mobile software app.
Just the language of the Internet taking us to where we want to go. Capitalizing on the DNS and the beauty that this computing platform has to offer.
One more thing. With voice recognition search you really don't need a software app. Just a domain name a command and voila you are at the web based or cloud based site.
It's been 30 years (this last Sunday) since the first Internet domain name (figuratively) began rattling around the Internet. A recent Verisign industry brief reported the total number of current domain name registrations worldwide at over 285 million total registrations. That's not a bad start for an Internet that is most certainly in it's infancy. Where we go (with domain names) from here remains to be seen.
But who would have thought that the biggest rival to the mobile software app could have been sitting right under our noses for some 30 years now. None other than the much beloved and occasionally maligned domain name.
xtradot.com
Is the Domain Name Platform a Mobile App Killer?
Probably not. But certainly a worthy challenger in many instances. Also, at worst a valuable adjunct to the mobile software app. So I have to finally come clean that I'm not a big mobile app person because I don't yet have a smartphone and have never texted. I may get there at some point however not yet. I got to thinking about this "mobile app revolution" that seemed to be taking over all of the communication and where that might go. Part of the reason I want to talk about mobile apps is that many have speculated that mobile apps would lead to the demise of domain names. I have been solidly on the domain name bandwagon and have made many posts to support that. My basic position regarding the continued value of domain names in our society is that:
Domain names represent the intersection of the real world and the Internet. They are identifiers and addresses. Something that we will continue to need. Just like we will always need personal names, telephone numbers, email addresses and residential addresses.
Domain names are the language of the Internet. They are how we communicate with the Internet in a very specific and irreplaceable way.
So all the talk about potential obsolescence of domain names has certainly raised an eyebrow with me a few times. With the ongoing release of upwards of 1000 new domain name extensions to the global marketplace I have a few thoughts regarding the "app-neutral" status of domain names. In addition to the inherent value of the domain name as a computing platform (and a rival and adjunct to the mobile app.)
Domain names may be the ultimate "app neutral" platform. That is, not dependent on a certain downloaded software or mobile app. Creating an independence from mobile apps that can be liberating.
Mobile software apps are most certainly brilliant developments and with revolutionary uses that are growing almost exponentially. This is not a bash on mobile apps. I know little to nothing about them however and I can appreciate their utility.
My focus for this post is on domain names. Nifty little "identification strings that define a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet." (Definition of domain names from Wikipedia.org).
"Identification strings" which take us to the web based or cloud based destination every time via the DNS (Domain Name System).
Without a mobile software app.
Just the language of the Internet taking us to where we want to go. Capitalizing on the DNS and the beauty that this computing platform has to offer.
One more thing. With voice recognition search you really don't need a software app. Just a domain name a command and voila you are at the web based or cloud based site.
It's been 30 years (this last Sunday) since the first Internet domain name (figuratively) began rattling around the Internet. A recent Verisign industry brief reported the total number of current domain name registrations worldwide at over 285 million total registrations. That's not a bad start for an Internet that is most certainly in it's infancy. Where we go (with domain names) from here remains to be seen.
But who would have thought that the biggest rival to the mobile software app could have been sitting right under our noses for some 30 years now. None other than the much beloved and occasionally maligned domain name.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
The Domain Portfolio Pivot
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
In my rather unremarkable basketball career through college I did pivot maybe a million times. Give or take a few hundred thousand. When it comes to entrepreneurship however the term "pivot" takes on a whole new meaning. One that is very relevant and useful to most entrepreneurs and businesses alike.
So the reason I want to write about the entrepreneurial "pivot" is because I am clearly taking a pivot at this time with my domain name portfolio.
Here is a great definition of the business/entrepreneurial "pivot" from FT.com/Lexicon:
Definition of pivot
When used in relation to entrepreneurship, pivot (which generally refers to a shift in strategy) describes the tortured path that most start-ups go through to find the right customer, value proposition, and positioning.
Eric Ries, the creator of the 'Lean Startup' methodology, reminds us that pivots imply keeping one foot firmly in place as you shift the other in a new direction. In this way, new ventures process what they have already learned from past success and failure and apply these insights in new areas.
Don’t get caught traveling as you jump from idea to idea without absorbing lessons learned along the way.
Over the last 15 years or so I have generally carried around 500 domain names in my portfolio at a given time. I have been the classic domain name speculator. This has allowed me to buy and sell thousands of premium (and not so premium) top-level domain names. Many more than I care to remember. My operation has always been run as a "break even enterprise." What ever revenue I did earn (from parking and domain name sales) was funneled back into the business at a given time. A constant process of registering names and letting names that didn't produce or sell to expire.
Here is a definition of Domain Name Speculator from Wikipedia.org:
Domain name speculation is the practice of identifying and registering or acquiring Internet domain names with the intent of selling them later for a profit. The main targets of domain name speculation are generic words which can be valuable for type-in traffic and for the dominant position they would have in any field due to their descriptive nature. The speculative characteristics of domain names may be linked to news reports or current events. However, the effective period during which such opportunities exist may be limited. Quick turnaround in the resale of domains is often called domain flipping.
It has been quite interesting and enjoyable for me. The experience has been invaluable. This process has got me to thinking recently about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. A good deal of which (hopefully) I have accumulated regarding the domain name industry.
These definitions are from Dictionary.com:
noun
noun
So now my current portfolio numbers somewhere south of 100. Basically the fewest I've ever had. Also, dwindling by the day.
Will my portfolio get to zero? It is quite possible. It will take some sales of names that I am holding onto or determining other uses for the names.
For the skeptical sorts who would propose that you can't be a domain speculator and own zero domain names.
Let me ask you this.
Can you be a stock market investor and not own any stocks at a given time?
Can you be a commodities trader and not own any commodoties at a given time?
Can you be a gold speculator and not own any gold at a given point in time?
Can you be a real estate developer and now own any real estate at that time?
I may just try to do it.
Then of course, I will start all over again.
So at this time, I am resetting my domain name portfolio. The structure and make-up that will evolve over the next year.
What domain name purchasing strategies will I employ?
Private sales, auctions or hand registrations?
What domain extensions will I buy?
How many characters in the names?
New gTLDs such as .web, .app, .blog, and .shop?
Alpha or numeric?
Country code names?
Generic names?
Brandable names?
City/GEO names?
Niche names?
Traditional gTLDs such as .com, .net and .org?
I will be interested to find out myself.
xtradot.com
In my rather unremarkable basketball career through college I did pivot maybe a million times. Give or take a few hundred thousand. When it comes to entrepreneurship however the term "pivot" takes on a whole new meaning. One that is very relevant and useful to most entrepreneurs and businesses alike.
So the reason I want to write about the entrepreneurial "pivot" is because I am clearly taking a pivot at this time with my domain name portfolio.
Here is a great definition of the business/entrepreneurial "pivot" from FT.com/Lexicon:
Definition of pivot
When used in relation to entrepreneurship, pivot (which generally refers to a shift in strategy) describes the tortured path that most start-ups go through to find the right customer, value proposition, and positioning.
Eric Ries, the creator of the 'Lean Startup' methodology, reminds us that pivots imply keeping one foot firmly in place as you shift the other in a new direction. In this way, new ventures process what they have already learned from past success and failure and apply these insights in new areas.
Don’t get caught traveling as you jump from idea to idea without absorbing lessons learned along the way.
Over the last 15 years or so I have generally carried around 500 domain names in my portfolio at a given time. I have been the classic domain name speculator. This has allowed me to buy and sell thousands of premium (and not so premium) top-level domain names. Many more than I care to remember. My operation has always been run as a "break even enterprise." What ever revenue I did earn (from parking and domain name sales) was funneled back into the business at a given time. A constant process of registering names and letting names that didn't produce or sell to expire.
Here is a definition of Domain Name Speculator from Wikipedia.org:
Domain name speculation is the practice of identifying and registering or acquiring Internet domain names with the intent of selling them later for a profit. The main targets of domain name speculation are generic words which can be valuable for type-in traffic and for the dominant position they would have in any field due to their descriptive nature. The speculative characteristics of domain names may be linked to news reports or current events. However, the effective period during which such opportunities exist may be limited. Quick turnaround in the resale of domains is often called domain flipping.
It has been quite interesting and enjoyable for me. The experience has been invaluable. This process has got me to thinking recently about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. A good deal of which (hopefully) I have accumulated regarding the domain name industry.
These definitions are from Dictionary.com:
knowledge
[nol-ij]
1.
acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition:
knowledge of many things.
wisdom
[wiz-duh m]
1.
the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
So now my current portfolio numbers somewhere south of 100. Basically the fewest I've ever had. Also, dwindling by the day.
Will my portfolio get to zero? It is quite possible. It will take some sales of names that I am holding onto or determining other uses for the names.
For the skeptical sorts who would propose that you can't be a domain speculator and own zero domain names.
Let me ask you this.
Can you be a stock market investor and not own any stocks at a given time?
Can you be a commodities trader and not own any commodoties at a given time?
Can you be a gold speculator and not own any gold at a given point in time?
Can you be a real estate developer and now own any real estate at that time?
I may just try to do it.
Then of course, I will start all over again.
So at this time, I am resetting my domain name portfolio. The structure and make-up that will evolve over the next year.
What domain name purchasing strategies will I employ?
Private sales, auctions or hand registrations?
What domain extensions will I buy?
How many characters in the names?
New gTLDs such as .web, .app, .blog, and .shop?
Alpha or numeric?
Country code names?
Generic names?
Brandable names?
City/GEO names?
Niche names?
Traditional gTLDs such as .com, .net and .org?
I will be interested to find out myself.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
The Google LogAnon Project
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
So we have facial recognition, biometrics and voice recognition nowadays. However, I did come across something interesting in the wilderness of the Internet the other day. There is apparently a little known Google project called LogAnon. The only thing I could find is here:
https://code.google.com/p/loganon/
This LogAnon link has limited information:
LogAnon is a log anonymization library that helps having anonymous logs consistent between logs and network captures.
LogAnon mission statement is to: Provide a simple API Written in C with Python bindings Cross-platform
So what is this LogAnon all about?
I do try to present this blog (in simplistic terms) what are probably at times very complicated technological principles. Like I mentioned before, I am not a technologist, programmer or IT person. Just a blogger and this is a blog and not a dissertation.
Now let's me be clear that I don't have the slightest idea what this "loganon" project has to do with. However, the reason I want to speculate a bit is that there may be some domain name applications. Which is what I write about.
So here is my hypothetical.
Could LogAnon have to do with anonymous and encrypted logins?
When you add the use of "randomly assigned domain names" the project is quite viable.
First a few words on randomly assigned domain names:
Now there are sites of course that produce randomly generated alpha or numeric strings such as Random.org which will quickly generate random passwords up to 100 at a time and up to 24 characters.
Here is a sampling of random strings created by the "Random String Generator" at Random.org:
You tell me.
xtradot.com
So we have facial recognition, biometrics and voice recognition nowadays. However, I did come across something interesting in the wilderness of the Internet the other day. There is apparently a little known Google project called LogAnon. The only thing I could find is here:
https://code.google.com/p/loganon/
This LogAnon link has limited information:
LogAnon is a log anonymization library that helps having anonymous logs consistent between logs and network captures.
LogAnon mission statement is to: Provide a simple API Written in C with Python bindings Cross-platform
So what is this LogAnon all about?
I do try to present this blog (in simplistic terms) what are probably at times very complicated technological principles. Like I mentioned before, I am not a technologist, programmer or IT person. Just a blogger and this is a blog and not a dissertation.
Now let's me be clear that I don't have the slightest idea what this "loganon" project has to do with. However, the reason I want to speculate a bit is that there may be some domain name applications. Which is what I write about.
So here is my hypothetical.
Could LogAnon have to do with anonymous and encrypted logins?
When you add the use of "randomly assigned domain names" the project is quite viable.
First a few words on randomly assigned domain names:
Now there are sites of course that produce randomly generated alpha or numeric strings such as Random.org which will quickly generate random passwords up to 100 at a time and up to 24 characters.
Here is a sampling of random strings created by the "Random String Generator" at Random.org:
LRIGHKKJ
CMVTYIEE
LCJJRFOG
VQXFXCMM
CTPVMOUA
BDZYPNHT
NQWTHAHM
VVZSDPMZ
HSRCTUZL
OCNOJHZC
10 Strings. 8 Characters each.
How many possible combinations are there of 8 character (alphabet)names?
208 billion.
How many combinations with 9 characters?
4 Trillion
How many with 10 characters?
140 Trillion.
Wow!
So one of the possible applications for Randomly Generated Domain Names is here:
Personally encrypted login pages.
For Example:
OCNOJHZC.secure
This is the technology:
From Wikipedia.org:
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a communications protocol for secure communication over a computer network, with especially wide deployment on the Internet. Technically, it is not a protocol in and of itself; rather, it is the result of simply layering the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) on top of the SSL/TLS protocol, thus adding the security capabilities of SSL/TLS to standard HTTP communications. The main motivation for HTTPS is to prevent wiretapping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
The key to the personally encrypted/anonymous login page is the following:
Your encrypted login site (encrypted domain name) would be attached to the ip (Internet Protocol Address) of your Internet device.
From Wikipedia.org:
An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device (e.g., computer, printer) participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.[1] An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Its role has been characterized as follows: "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how to get there."[2]
Attaching your personal login domain name to your ip address adds an important level of security.
Something in network security terms that is called Multi-factor authentication.
(From Wikipedia)
Multi-factor authentication (also MFA, two-factor authentication, TFA, T-FA or 2FA) is an approach to authentication which requires the presentation of two or more of the three authentication factors: a knowledge factor ("something only the user knows"), a possession factor ("something only the user has"), and an inherence factor ("something only the user is"). After presentation, each factor must be validated by the other party for authentication to occur.
In case you missed my suggestion-the security applications could be very significant. First you have the device IP address (where the device lives on the Internet) and then you have the domain name IP address (where the domain name lives on the Internet). That's a double security layer. Add in a password and you have "triple level authentication." Which is of course much better than double. (the something you have and something you know) approach. It would be a new form of Multi-factor authentication.
Here's the usage:
Randomly generated domain name.
Free (encrypted) website/login page.
Only you can access it because it is attached to the ip address of your device.
Login could be for one service or many.
First of all, randomly generated (nonsensical) domain names would not be cataloged by the search engines. They would be anonymous (WHOIS data is protected) and much more difficult to track and identify. Or or even better registered by a third party so there would be no personal data stored or involved.)
According to a Google initiative outlined here in a Wall Street Journal article dated August 7, 2014:
Google hopes the move will prod website developers to adopt technology that protects against hackers breaking into their websites and stealing users' information.
So one of the possible applications for Randomly Generated Domain Names is here:
Personally encrypted login pages.
For Example:
OCNOJHZC.secure
This is the technology:
From Wikipedia.org:
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a communications protocol for secure communication over a computer network, with especially wide deployment on the Internet. Technically, it is not a protocol in and of itself; rather, it is the result of simply layering the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) on top of the SSL/TLS protocol, thus adding the security capabilities of SSL/TLS to standard HTTP communications. The main motivation for HTTPS is to prevent wiretapping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
The key to the personally encrypted/anonymous login page is the following:
Your encrypted login site (encrypted domain name) would be attached to the ip (Internet Protocol Address) of your Internet device.
From Wikipedia.org:
An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device (e.g., computer, printer) participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.[1] An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Its role has been characterized as follows: "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how to get there."[2]
Attaching your personal login domain name to your ip address adds an important level of security.
Something in network security terms that is called Multi-factor authentication.
(From Wikipedia)
Multi-factor authentication (also MFA, two-factor authentication, TFA, T-FA or 2FA) is an approach to authentication which requires the presentation of two or more of the three authentication factors: a knowledge factor ("something only the user knows"), a possession factor ("something only the user has"), and an inherence factor ("something only the user is"). After presentation, each factor must be validated by the other party for authentication to occur.
In case you missed my suggestion-the security applications could be very significant. First you have the device IP address (where the device lives on the Internet) and then you have the domain name IP address (where the domain name lives on the Internet). That's a double security layer. Add in a password and you have "triple level authentication." Which is of course much better than double. (the something you have and something you know) approach. It would be a new form of Multi-factor authentication.
Here's the usage:
Randomly generated domain name.
Free (encrypted) website/login page.
Only you can access it because it is attached to the ip address of your device.
Login could be for one service or many.
First of all, randomly generated (nonsensical) domain names would not be cataloged by the search engines. They would be anonymous (WHOIS data is protected) and much more difficult to track and identify. Or or even better registered by a third party so there would be no personal data stored or involved.)
According to a Google initiative outlined here in a Wall Street Journal article dated August 7, 2014:
Google hopes the move will prod website developers to adopt technology that protects against hackers breaking into their websites and stealing users' information.
"We hope to see more websites using HTTPS in the future," Google said in a blog post, referring to the protocol for securing communications over digital networks.
So does that all fit the few lines of description that are listed on the Google LogAnon project link that I post again here?
So does that all fit the few lines of description that are listed on the Google LogAnon project link that I post again here?
LogAnon is a log anonymization library that helps having anonymous logs consistent between logs and network captures.
LogAnon mission statement is to: Provide a simple API Written in C with Python bindings Cross-platform
Also, can facial recognition, biometrics and voice recognition all be utilized as well in such a LogAnon program?
LogAnon mission statement is to: Provide a simple API Written in C with Python bindings Cross-platform
Also, can facial recognition, biometrics and voice recognition all be utilized as well in such a LogAnon program?
You tell me.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
A Second Wind for .US?
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
.US is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States and was established in 1985. Registrants of .us domains must be United States citizens, residents, or organizations, or a foreign entity with a presence in the United States. (according to Wikipedia.org).
The big question for me is why the .us domain name extension has lagged so far behind other ccTLD extensions to date? An updated list of total ccTLD registrations at the end of 2013 is here (note .us in the 15th slot. Just behind Canada.)
.tk 20 million
.de 15 million
.uk 10.6 million
.cn 8.8 million
.nl 5.4 million
.ru 4.5 million
.eu 3.7 million
.br 3.3 million
.ar 3.0 million
.au 2.7 million
.fr 2.7 million
.it 2.6 million
.pl 2.5 million
.ca 2.2 million
.us 1.9 million
There was a very interesting news release this past summer from the Neustar (Neustar.us) Registry regarding the .us domain name extension. The release is here: Neustar to Launch usTLD Stakeholder Council.
This article got me to thinking about just what the Neustar.us registry and Stakeholder Council is up to. That is in regards to the development of the (massively underutilized) .us domain name extension.
From this article regarding the Council:
The Charter of this new Council sets its Scope of Work as follows:
The Council will address matters related to the operation of the usTLD in the interest of the usTLD user community. The work of the Council will be focused on:
This is from the Councils principles and policies:
The Council’s Guiding Principles and Policies include:
There is one public entity that came to mind that could do it and the reasoning relates to something that has been in the news a good deal lately.
The entity of the US Postal Service and the mechanism could potentially be through postal banking and financial services.
Some of you already know that the US Postal Service is in the process of very possibly expanding their offerings of financial services. The USPS already offers some financial services such as postal money orders and other basic services. The US Postal Service does have a history of offering expanded services earlier this century and successfully so. As it turns out, Postal financial services is already a fairly widespread practice in many foreign countries.
Here is a whitepaper (published this year) by none other than the US Post Office Inspector General regarding the USPS offering expanded banking services: Providing Non-Bank Financial Services to the Underserved.
A few more recent articles on the subject here:
Should the Post Office Offer Financial Services?
Could Plan to Offer Financial Servics Save the Post Office?
What Happens if the Post Office is your Bank?
How to Save the Post Office?
Yes, People Would Bank at the Post Office.
So why would the US Postal Service use the .us domain name extension to propagate its newly developed banking and financial services?
The answer is that many foreign countries are already offering expanded financial and banking services through their countries postal services.
Most of those countries also use their own country code domain name extensions (ccTLDs) for identification and clarity.
The use of the .us domain name extension may very well become a necessity for the US Postal Service. Particularly, if they go down this road of banking and expanded financial services to their customers. Especially with the accelerating trend of these services moving online.
Here are just a few examples of Postal Services who use their country code domain names for Postal Financial Services.
PostalBank.co.tz
PostBank.gov.ph
JapanPost.jp
ChinaPost.com.cn
RussianPost.ru
CanadaPost.ca
Poste.it (Banco Posta)
Correos.es (Spanish Post)
Here's an example to show another level of confusion and to enforce my point.
http://www.postbank.com actually goes to a German bank.
If I were the US Postal Service, I'd be looking at .us.
xtradot.com
Is the .US Domain Extension Going Postal?
.US is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States and was established in 1985. Registrants of .us domains must be United States citizens, residents, or organizations, or a foreign entity with a presence in the United States. (according to Wikipedia.org).
The big question for me is why the .us domain name extension has lagged so far behind other ccTLD extensions to date? An updated list of total ccTLD registrations at the end of 2013 is here (note .us in the 15th slot. Just behind Canada.)
.tk 20 million
.de 15 million
.uk 10.6 million
.cn 8.8 million
.nl 5.4 million
.ru 4.5 million
.eu 3.7 million
.br 3.3 million
.ar 3.0 million
.au 2.7 million
.fr 2.7 million
.it 2.6 million
.pl 2.5 million
.ca 2.2 million
.us 1.9 million
There was a very interesting news release this past summer from the Neustar (Neustar.us) Registry regarding the .us domain name extension. The release is here: Neustar to Launch usTLD Stakeholder Council.
This article got me to thinking about just what the Neustar.us registry and Stakeholder Council is up to. That is in regards to the development of the (massively underutilized) .us domain name extension.
From this article regarding the Council:
The Charter of this new Council sets its Scope of Work as follows:
The Council will address matters related to the operation of the usTLD in the interest of the usTLD user community. The work of the Council will be focused on:
- Recommending to Neustar policies and other improvements to the management of the usTLD;
- Ensuring that the needs of current usTLD domain name holders are considered in the management of the usTLD;
- Providing input on mechanisms to enhance and improve the user experience and utility of the usTLD space; and
- Improvements to the security within the usTLD and stable management of the space.
This is from the Councils principles and policies:
The Council’s Guiding Principles and Policies include:
- The usTLD must continue to serve the needs of existing Registrants, support innovative new uses of the name space, and respect the rights of consumers and rights holders.
- Innovation in the usTLD space should promote the public interest and benefit both commercial and noncommercial usTLD stakeholders.
There is one public entity that came to mind that could do it and the reasoning relates to something that has been in the news a good deal lately.
The entity of the US Postal Service and the mechanism could potentially be through postal banking and financial services.
Some of you already know that the US Postal Service is in the process of very possibly expanding their offerings of financial services. The USPS already offers some financial services such as postal money orders and other basic services. The US Postal Service does have a history of offering expanded services earlier this century and successfully so. As it turns out, Postal financial services is already a fairly widespread practice in many foreign countries.
Here is a whitepaper (published this year) by none other than the US Post Office Inspector General regarding the USPS offering expanded banking services: Providing Non-Bank Financial Services to the Underserved.
A few more recent articles on the subject here:
Should the Post Office Offer Financial Services?
Could Plan to Offer Financial Servics Save the Post Office?
What Happens if the Post Office is your Bank?
How to Save the Post Office?
Yes, People Would Bank at the Post Office.
So why would the US Postal Service use the .us domain name extension to propagate its newly developed banking and financial services?
The answer is that many foreign countries are already offering expanded financial and banking services through their countries postal services.
Most of those countries also use their own country code domain name extensions (ccTLDs) for identification and clarity.
The use of the .us domain name extension may very well become a necessity for the US Postal Service. Particularly, if they go down this road of banking and expanded financial services to their customers. Especially with the accelerating trend of these services moving online.
Here are just a few examples of Postal Services who use their country code domain names for Postal Financial Services.
PostalBank.co.tz
PostBank.gov.ph
JapanPost.jp
ChinaPost.com.cn
RussianPost.ru
CanadaPost.ca
Poste.it (Banco Posta)
Correos.es (Spanish Post)
Here's an example to show another level of confusion and to enforce my point.
http://www.postbank.com actually goes to a German bank.
If I were the US Postal Service, I'd be looking at .us.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
The Fallout from the (gTLD) Rollout
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
Could the .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz extensions be in a prime position?
Many are talking about the new flood of new domain name extensions that are being poured onto the open marketplace. Some of the new extensions are .app, .buy, .bank, .cash, .city, diet, .film, .game, .golf, .home., .law, .mail, .movie, .news, .online, .sale, .shop, .tech, .web, .wow and .zone. The grand total of new extensions may be upwards of 1000 when all is said and done (for this round anyway).
There certainly will be significant fallout from the rollout of the new domain name extensions. The question is of course what exactly will that be? Some of it we do already know and some of it (the fallout) remains to be seen.
What I want to focus on is what impact with the new domain name extensions have on the "old guard extensions" such as .com, .net, .org, .info, and biz. Maybe I am an "Internet traditionalist" or I just have a hard time letting go. However, I will admit that some of these "old and worn out" extensions are near and dear to my heart. For example I have written extensively regarding the unique lofty position that the .com domain name extension holds in the Internet and real world landscape.
It is probably fair to say that I am very fond of the .com extension. Also, that I have no fear that any one of the (upwards of 1000) new domain name extensions will ever overtake or even challenge.com in popularity. (sorry .app, .shop and .web).
But since I'm looking back (to the old guard extensions) and not forward to the flood of new extensions, I have a few points I want to make.
Look for the .biz extension to have new life breathed into it. Many have written the .biz extension off at this point. Don't be so sure. What I'm seeing is for .biz to be branded as the "home business" and "mobile business" extension. Telecommuting and telework is the rage. .Biz may just surprise you. We (my company DONASYS) already has some projects in development on .biz names.
Look for .info and .net to be rejuvinated as well. All of the (upwards of 1000) new domain name extensions if anything are going to raise all of our consciousness regarding what domain names can be in our lives and how they can be used by us all for out own benefit and convenience. .INFO and .net are short and very intuitive. Something that you cant say for a large majority of the new extensions. I do believe that many of the new longer extensions will struggle. They have to many characters and are not intuitive.
The .org domain name extension generally occupies territory unique to itself. From Wikipedia we have this:
The domain name org is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) of the Domain Name System (DNS) used in the Internet. The name is truncated from organization. It was one of the original domains established in 1985 and operated by the Public Interest Registry since 1988. The domain extension was originally created for non-profits, but this designation no longer exists and today it is commonly used by schools, open-source projects, and communities as well as by for-profit entities.
There are no new real challengers to org. A few entities are making the attempt such as .ngo and .ong (for non-governmental organizations) however I don't believe that .org should be worried. .Org is to non-profits as .com is to the commercial Internet. No challengers and no challengers respectively.
So now I step down from my soapbox and make just a few final conclusions on this essay.
I (still) really like .com, .net, org, .biz and .info.
I like some of the new extensions too. Just haven't bought any yet. That is what we call a "wait and see attitude."
Until I see differently, .com is still my king.
xtradot.com
Could the .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz extensions be in a prime position?
Many are talking about the new flood of new domain name extensions that are being poured onto the open marketplace. Some of the new extensions are .app, .buy, .bank, .cash, .city, diet, .film, .game, .golf, .home., .law, .mail, .movie, .news, .online, .sale, .shop, .tech, .web, .wow and .zone. The grand total of new extensions may be upwards of 1000 when all is said and done (for this round anyway).
There certainly will be significant fallout from the rollout of the new domain name extensions. The question is of course what exactly will that be? Some of it we do already know and some of it (the fallout) remains to be seen.
What I want to focus on is what impact with the new domain name extensions have on the "old guard extensions" such as .com, .net, .org, .info, and biz. Maybe I am an "Internet traditionalist" or I just have a hard time letting go. However, I will admit that some of these "old and worn out" extensions are near and dear to my heart. For example I have written extensively regarding the unique lofty position that the .com domain name extension holds in the Internet and real world landscape.
It is probably fair to say that I am very fond of the .com extension. Also, that I have no fear that any one of the (upwards of 1000) new domain name extensions will ever overtake or even challenge.com in popularity. (sorry .app, .shop and .web).
But since I'm looking back (to the old guard extensions) and not forward to the flood of new extensions, I have a few points I want to make.
Look for the .biz extension to have new life breathed into it. Many have written the .biz extension off at this point. Don't be so sure. What I'm seeing is for .biz to be branded as the "home business" and "mobile business" extension. Telecommuting and telework is the rage. .Biz may just surprise you. We (my company DONASYS) already has some projects in development on .biz names.
Look for .info and .net to be rejuvinated as well. All of the (upwards of 1000) new domain name extensions if anything are going to raise all of our consciousness regarding what domain names can be in our lives and how they can be used by us all for out own benefit and convenience. .INFO and .net are short and very intuitive. Something that you cant say for a large majority of the new extensions. I do believe that many of the new longer extensions will struggle. They have to many characters and are not intuitive.
The .org domain name extension generally occupies territory unique to itself. From Wikipedia we have this:
The domain name org is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) of the Domain Name System (DNS) used in the Internet. The name is truncated from organization. It was one of the original domains established in 1985 and operated by the Public Interest Registry since 1988. The domain extension was originally created for non-profits, but this designation no longer exists and today it is commonly used by schools, open-source projects, and communities as well as by for-profit entities.
There are no new real challengers to org. A few entities are making the attempt such as .ngo and .ong (for non-governmental organizations) however I don't believe that .org should be worried. .Org is to non-profits as .com is to the commercial Internet. No challengers and no challengers respectively.
So now I step down from my soapbox and make just a few final conclusions on this essay.
I (still) really like .com, .net, org, .biz and .info.
I like some of the new extensions too. Just haven't bought any yet. That is what we call a "wait and see attitude."
Until I see differently, .com is still my king.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
The Lost Art of Email.
By Duane J. Higgins, ceo
xtradot.com
Is email a dying breed? With the advent of texting and messaging apps there is certainly an argument to make that email has lost some of its luster with the "in crowd." . Electronic communication has a very interesting history that is well summarized here on a site called Imagining the Internet:
A brief historical overview: The printing press was the big innovation in communications until the telegraph was developed. Printing remained the key format for mass messages for years afterward, but the telegraph allowed instant communication over vast distances for the first time in human history. Telegraph usage faded as radio became easy to use and popularized; as radio was being developed, the telephone quickly became the fastest way to communicate person-to-person; after television was perfected and content for it was well developed, it became the dominant form of mass-communication technology; the internet came next, and newspapers, radio, telephones, and television are being rolled into this far-reaching information medium.
Is email going the way of telegraph services which are still used to varying degrees worldwide- however on a limited basis?
Well, not likely.
Certainly email is not dying or even a lost art. In fact, from the numbers point of view-email may be as big or bigger and more used than ever. However, there is certainly a perception that email is a dying breed and that is of course due to the advent and increased usage of social networks, texting. and messaging apps. Despite those trends email remains one of the most popular forms of online communication.
I am not anti-texting or messaging. I have just never done it. I also do realize that there will very likely be a point in time (maybe when and if I ever do get my first smartphone) that I become a "texter" myself. That just hasn't happened yet.
Here are my problems with texting.
For one thing texting and messaging apps are almost almost single handedly ruining grammar and sentence structure. The more people text the more they get comfortable with poor grammar and sentence structure. Habit becomes reality. Bad grammar becomes the norm. It's happening as we speak in hundreds of languages and cultures around the world.
Formative minds develop habits and styles of communications. The studies on this have been mostly inconclusive. However, I am willing to say that texting is having a significantly negative influence on grammar and sentence structure in our youth.
Just wait until a few generations get through the their texting life cycles.What will peoples grammar and sentence structure look like then? I suspect not improved and likely deteriorated. Texting and messaging is not going to help. There is an interesting article here on this subject: How Texting Affects Grammar and Sentence Structure:
A slow drip of deterioration. It is inevitable.
Does this represent the decline of civilization?
Probably not. Just the decline of language structure and personal etiquette in that a large chunk of users won't sound or look so smart.
Second of all and unfortunately no secret. Texting and driving causes alot of traffic accidents and fatalities.
And by the way. There is no real etiquette with texting.
With email you have what are considered to be basic email etiquette tips. A quick search of the Internet will produce thousands of guidelines for proper email manners. Here's just a short list that is a good place to start from 101emailetiquettetips.com :
What are some of the generally accepted email etiquette practices?
Courteous greeting and closing
Appropriate level of formality
Proper grammar and spelling
Sentence structure
Details
Appropriate level of emotional charge
Subject
Complete sentences
Brief and to the point
How much of this type of etiquette is included in the average text message?
Generally little or none.
How often to you see promoted (or do you see anyone following) texting or messaging etiquette tips?
You don't because there really aren't any.
Email is done on the persons own time. The sender and the recipient. With texting the expectation is that the response will be immediate. The grammar/sentence structure is (generally) much better in email over texting. Check your own emails and texts and compare them. Email also affords you the time and space to elaborate. If the communication can't be in person at the time or accomplished on a phone call, email can very suitable substitute. Texting mostly lacks depth of thought or emotion. Email is generally more thoughtful.
One more argument against texting and messaging and for email.
What would happen if suddenly we were no longer able to text or message?
Would anyone really miss it?
Or would we all adapt and move on?
That being said. I wonder when I will get my first smartphone and start texting?
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