A better solution than .xxx domain names
Here's a simple, yet more comprehensive solution to filtering of Web sites for 'adult' content than the recently proposed .xxx domain. ALL Web site pages should have a meta-tag for 'rating' the Site based on content, similar to the way the movie industry, video games and even television is rated. For starters it could be as simple as "G" for general public to "M" for mature or 'adult' (because, obviously, not all 'adult' material is pornography. There is a vast volume of content online that is not suitable for children, yet it is not 'pornography' either.) IMPLEMENTATION: Registrars (ie: Network Solution, Go Daddy, etc.) can be notified of the newly required meta-tag as prescribed by ICANN and can then simply forward the notification to their clients. The notification can easily provide sample code and list the brief description of each rating. Web site administrators / owners can simply add this new meta-tag to their Web site pages. FILTERING: Browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, Firefox, etc.) can be encouraged to add preferences allowing users to adjust their browser settings to filter these new meta-tags as desired (ie: 'reject all mature / adult Web site pages (rating of "M")'). It would behoove browser providers to implement this. Failure to do so would simply result in loss of market share as users to switch to 'friendlier' browsers that have implemented the new setting. ENFORCEABILITY: If a Site fails to have the new tag then violations can be reported to the registrar (ie: Network Solution, Go Daddy, etc.). Those companies can then follow procedures provided by ICANN to determine a recommended course of action; any where from a reminder (if the Site content is fit for the general public) to deactivation of the domain or even blacklisting the Site owner. Fines would have to be handled by the national government of which a Web site owner is a citizen. This is beyond the governance of ICANN. As the next generation of browsers begins to include settings for the new meta-tag, the default setting could simple reject any Web site page that does not have the meta-tag. IT'S 'FAIR': Since this new measure applies to ALL Web sites the pornography industry will not feel singled out and therefore will be less likely to fight it. It's only a matter of time before the public outcry for some type of Web site rating can no longer be ignored. This measure addresses such a concern now. ------------------------------------------- Jay Risner Creative Director RISNER NAUKAM SOLUTION ARCHITECTS (phone) 785.770.8863 (fax) 817.796.1908 Creating Innovative Solutions, One Client at a Time. http://bethebubble.com <x-tad-smaller>Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in. - Napoleon Bonaparte, 1815</x-tad-smaller> ------------------------------------------- ***CONFIDENTIAL*** This message was intended for the original recipient only. This correspondence may contain information that is confidential, proprietary or "non-public personal information", as that term is defined in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (collectively, "Confidential Information"). Any reproduction, forwarding, or copying for the purpose of discussing the contents of this email with anyone other than the original recipient is strictly prohibited by law. The Confidential Information is disclosed conditioned upon your agreement that you will treat all Confidential Information confidentially and in accordance with applicable law, ensure that such information is not used or disclosed except for the limited purpose for which it is being provided and will notify and cooperate with Risner Naukam Solution Architects and Jay Risner regarding any requested disclosure or any unauthorized disclosure or use of any Confidential Information. Violating this warning is subject to legal action by the sender. By accepting and reviewing the Confidential Information you agree to indemnify Risner Naukam Solution Architects and Jay Risner against any losses or expenses, including attorney's fees that Risner Naukam Solution Architects or Jay Risner may incur as a result of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information due to your acts or omissions. If this correspondence is received by a party other than the intended recipient, you are requested to immediately notify us of the erroneous delivery and return to us all information so delivered. |