One thing that has always intrigued
me about Image Online Design is their ability to articulate their claim of the dot
web TLD. It does not suprise me why Dr. Vinton Cerf (widely known as the father
of the internet) opted not to give Afilias dot web. It is why they have legions
of supporters from around the globe. It is why they are known "by name" with
all the congressional leaders in the Senate and the house (United States Congress).The
only message I have ever heard come from Image Online Design is that they created
the dot web registry in response to IANA's blessing to show the world that it was
possible (in 1995) to build a robust registry, complete with a WHOIS. It was
the message they had back then, it is the same one they have today. One caveat
they do add, and I have heard their CTO say this on more than one occasion, is that
if you have any ideas to better our registry, please let us know...
That has always
been there message and one of the biggest reasons why they can claim sole ownership
of the dot web TLD. Which is important these days, when it comes to "security"
of the internet. It's good to know who is running what TLD. I think that
is why some "alternate" providers will have trouble getting into the main root.
There are just too many other providers selling the "same" TLD...
If you look at
other more recent companies that have come out of the TLD gates, their business models
are almost changing daily....This is not a "secure environment".....Consumers can
be fooled. Image Online Design knows this, and have nevered wavered from their
message with regards to their "proof-of-concept" registry. It is why they went
to court to block others from trying to confuse consumers with their product [dot
web]....In 1997 CORE seen what Image Online Design was doing, and didn't seem to
think it was a problem to sell the same TLD...Thankfully they were able to stop them
from doing this....In 1999 very few people really understood how important intellectual
property was to the validity of the internet....in 1999 everyone thought Image Online
Design was trying to be greedy...How wrong now do those early pundits seem?? This
really makes Image Online Design pioneers on two fronts: Intellectual Property
and it's proof-of-concept registy...
I will say it over and over again....Image
Online Design message has always been the same: "We [Image Online Design] built
the dot web registry as agreed upon by IANA, we have shown it to be robust...we're
just waiting for approval by those who took over IANA's responsiblities"...
It's not a surpise why they have been able to stand the test of time: Their
"message" has never waivered....Sam Walton (Walmart Founder) understood this "same
message" concept...Their message "without looking it up on Walmart.com" is "We will
provide you a product at the lowest guaranteed price"...That message has never changed...and
is reason they are the world's #1 retailer...
The difference in the above comparisions
between Walmart and Image Online Design is one operates in a Free, competitive market...It's
only by Image Online Design's fiscual acumen, and pioneering vision they are here
today....Yes, they have detractors, and some who would like the dot web TLD, in the
end that is all "today's news"....Meanwhile, Image Online Design keeps preparing
for their eventual merger with the legacy root!
Gregory W. Krajewski
President,
K2 Enterprises