reghakr
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The organization that oversees the distribution of Internet domain names has given final approval to ".xxx", a domain dedicated to adult subject matter.
The new domain is known as a generic top-level domain, meaning it is the final part of a website address and isn't country-specific (like .ca for Canada and). This is the first new top-level domain since 2004's .pro for professionals.
It could be the last to get specific approval, as there are plans to open up the system so that individuals and organizations can register and control their own top level domains using any word or phrase they like.
Triple-X Domain Represents Clean-up Operation
The idea of the new domain -- aside from being a source of revenue -- is that ICM, which will administer the registration of the new addresses, will keep close watch on all sites to make sure they follow rules banning misuse of customer details or spreading viruses.
The idea is to make the new domain an exercise in "cleaning up" the online industry in terms of behavior rather than content. Some of the money raised in registration fees will be spent on a campaign to block illicit youngster videos and images.
Some Web Operators Oppose of New Domain
Not surprisingly, many website operators oppose the new domain. Some suggest it could lead to increased censorship; for example, a government in a country with a more conservative attitude to illicit subject matter might simply decide to block all sites with the .xxx domain. (Source: Link Removed)
There's also a fear that sites could be pressured to use the new domain instead of, rather than as well as, mainstream domains such as .com. Distributors of adult material believe that pressure could constitute a restriction on their freedom of speech. (Source: Link Removed due to 404 Error)
Cyber-squatting Fears Flourish
Another potential problem will come with the rush to grab names on the new domain. Existing rivals in the lewd market may be tempted to claim names already in use as .com sites in the hope of picking up business, which could lead to some interesting court battles over trademarks.
It's also very likely some people will attempt to register .xxx domain names resembling well-known companies that are strictly family-orientated (such as Johnson and Johnson, for example), in the hope that those firms will buy the domain names back, rather than go through a protracted legal battle over the rights of the domain nam. This is more or less a a form of cyber-blackmail.
Source: http://www.infopackets.com/news/internet/2011/20110328_red_light_domain_gets_go_ahead.htm
The new domain is known as a generic top-level domain, meaning it is the final part of a website address and isn't country-specific (like .ca for Canada and). This is the first new top-level domain since 2004's .pro for professionals.
It could be the last to get specific approval, as there are plans to open up the system so that individuals and organizations can register and control their own top level domains using any word or phrase they like.
Triple-X Domain Represents Clean-up Operation
The idea of the new domain -- aside from being a source of revenue -- is that ICM, which will administer the registration of the new addresses, will keep close watch on all sites to make sure they follow rules banning misuse of customer details or spreading viruses.
The idea is to make the new domain an exercise in "cleaning up" the online industry in terms of behavior rather than content. Some of the money raised in registration fees will be spent on a campaign to block illicit youngster videos and images.
Some Web Operators Oppose of New Domain
Not surprisingly, many website operators oppose the new domain. Some suggest it could lead to increased censorship; for example, a government in a country with a more conservative attitude to illicit subject matter might simply decide to block all sites with the .xxx domain. (Source: Link Removed)
There's also a fear that sites could be pressured to use the new domain instead of, rather than as well as, mainstream domains such as .com. Distributors of adult material believe that pressure could constitute a restriction on their freedom of speech. (Source: Link Removed due to 404 Error)
Cyber-squatting Fears Flourish
Another potential problem will come with the rush to grab names on the new domain. Existing rivals in the lewd market may be tempted to claim names already in use as .com sites in the hope of picking up business, which could lead to some interesting court battles over trademarks.
It's also very likely some people will attempt to register .xxx domain names resembling well-known companies that are strictly family-orientated (such as Johnson and Johnson, for example), in the hope that those firms will buy the domain names back, rather than go through a protracted legal battle over the rights of the domain nam. This is more or less a a form of cyber-blackmail.
Source: http://www.infopackets.com/news/internet/2011/20110328_red_light_domain_gets_go_ahead.htm
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I believe that the fear this could restrict freedom of speech is legitimate. Statistics show the top 2 uses of the Internet consist of porn and shopping. Whether you like this or not, condone it or not, its the truth! So, let us assume this .xxx top-level domain is created. Back in the days before silly top-level domains like .info and .me, you could only get .org, .net., .com, or your country-code.
Today, there have been many new top-level domains added for commercial purposes, and it is clearly assumed that .com,.net.,and .org will eventually run out. However, very few websites bother to use .info and so forth, and even search engines do not take these domain names as seriously as a .com. Everyone seems to know that you need a .com, .net. or .org to get exposure for your site, even if it contains an unimaingeable treasure trove of useful information.
The problem here, however is, that by making the .xxx domain, we specifically now know that this is for pornographic content. And so, any Internet Service Provider around the world, if it even takes off, could arbitrarily block any requests to domains that fall in the .xxx top-level domain range. This could, hypothetically, result in increased censorship, especially in many authoritarian countries.
Many content guardian tools already exist to prevent this content from being found, and entire rating systems have been created to monitor pornographic websites. It is not fair to throw an entire industry into a category in such a way. For example, I am almost entirely certain that if ".computer" was created, we would not use it, nor would most websites. Its just silly. Everyone still knows the .COM's are where it is at.
Now, decades from now, I could be wrong. Maybe it will become useful. But noone that I know of is registering .info domains, .jobs, .travel, .coop, etc. I bet many people reading this never knew these top-levels existed, because even I didn't. I had to look them up on ICANN's website. And if you register a domain that end with this at the top level, you are usually offered an enormous discount, because noone, at this time, truly takes them seriously. It will be hard to get listed in DMOZ (A human reviewed web directory that is used by almost all the major search engines to index quality websites) or for anyone to take your website seriously.
Recently ".co" was created for Columbia, and this did not require proof of residency or business registration in Columbia. Thus, this domain is now used for people who have a broken M key on their keyboard. For instance, even we have windows7forums.co in case someone forgets the "M" at the end. So that is the only use we see it for - bringing people who spelt our domain name wrong to the right website.
As more governments push to firewall their country from the rest of the Internet whenever there is civil unrest, I believe there should be serious concern about censorship in this matter. Censorship is appropriate when individuals, who are capable of making intelligent, informed decisions, are the ones doing it. On the Internet, it is not appropriate when governments or large corporations make the call.
I believe the potential for abuse in .XXX is very grave, and thus, most serious content providers of pornography will avoid the domain, fearing censorship from ISPs and authoritarian governments.
Today, there have been many new top-level domains added for commercial purposes, and it is clearly assumed that .com,.net.,and .org will eventually run out. However, very few websites bother to use .info and so forth, and even search engines do not take these domain names as seriously as a .com. Everyone seems to know that you need a .com, .net. or .org to get exposure for your site, even if it contains an unimaingeable treasure trove of useful information.
The problem here, however is, that by making the .xxx domain, we specifically now know that this is for pornographic content. And so, any Internet Service Provider around the world, if it even takes off, could arbitrarily block any requests to domains that fall in the .xxx top-level domain range. This could, hypothetically, result in increased censorship, especially in many authoritarian countries.
Many content guardian tools already exist to prevent this content from being found, and entire rating systems have been created to monitor pornographic websites. It is not fair to throw an entire industry into a category in such a way. For example, I am almost entirely certain that if ".computer" was created, we would not use it, nor would most websites. Its just silly. Everyone still knows the .COM's are where it is at.
Now, decades from now, I could be wrong. Maybe it will become useful. But noone that I know of is registering .info domains, .jobs, .travel, .coop, etc. I bet many people reading this never knew these top-levels existed, because even I didn't. I had to look them up on ICANN's website. And if you register a domain that end with this at the top level, you are usually offered an enormous discount, because noone, at this time, truly takes them seriously. It will be hard to get listed in DMOZ (A human reviewed web directory that is used by almost all the major search engines to index quality websites) or for anyone to take your website seriously.
Recently ".co" was created for Columbia, and this did not require proof of residency or business registration in Columbia. Thus, this domain is now used for people who have a broken M key on their keyboard. For instance, even we have windows7forums.co in case someone forgets the "M" at the end. So that is the only use we see it for - bringing people who spelt our domain name wrong to the right website.
As more governments push to firewall their country from the rest of the Internet whenever there is civil unrest, I believe there should be serious concern about censorship in this matter. Censorship is appropriate when individuals, who are capable of making intelligent, informed decisions, are the ones doing it. On the Internet, it is not appropriate when governments or large corporations make the call.
I believe the potential for abuse in .XXX is very grave, and thus, most serious content providers of pornography will avoid the domain, fearing censorship from ISPs and authoritarian governments.
reghakr
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I believe in the freedom of speach issue, but if an Internet Service Provider were to block the .xxx domain, there would be an uproar from the subscribers
You're right, it would be very easy for software developers who produce blocking software to add the .xxx domain to their blacklist.
Side note: One of my first assignments at the library I worked for was to search for porn so we could add it to the Squid filter on a Linux box. Nice job Ha. I saw things I never want to see again.
You're right, it would be very easy for software developers who produce blocking software to add the .xxx domain to their blacklist.
Side note: One of my first assignments at the library I worked for was to search for porn so we could add it to the Squid filter on a Linux box. Nice job Ha. I saw things I never want to see again.
Highwayman
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