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I recently spent over an hour trying to determine
why my browser was suddenly returning a market-oriented search page instead of a
plain white error page when I mis-typed a domain name. As they say, "The
technical problems I may have encountered do not lie with my
browser!"
Instead of seeing a generic error page I am now
being re-directed to Site Finder, which is a for-profit search page run by
VeriSign. When I get there I am told that I am subject to their terms and
conditions and privacy statement. I have a problem with that:
* I did not choose to use the
Site Finder service but I am forced to use it.
* When I reach Site Finder I am
advised that I am bound by their terms and conditions and privacy
statement.
* Site Finder offers no means of
not using their so-called service.
* Site Finder offers no means of
contacting them.
I don't want to be there, I am being bound by their
terms and conditions and privacy statement, and I am not offered a means of
avoid this situation in the future. Furthermore, I cannot contact
them. I have a real problem with this!
I have found a very effective means of dealing with
this situation. I am voting with my pocketbook. I currently have all
of my domains registered with NameSecure, which
is now a VeriSign company, and up to this point I have been very happy with
their services.
I am now in the process of moving these domains to
another registrar. I am also recommending to my clients that they do the
same. I invite anyone reading this note to
consider moving their domains to non-VeriSign registrars.
There are a number of domain registry services
available, including those offered on my Website, www.PlanetEagle.Com, that will
gladly transfer your domain to their
registry. Our service charges a $7.75 transfer fee that includes a one
year extension to your present registration and I would imagine other registrars
have similar plans. Just make certain the registrar you choose is
not a VeriSign company.
If VeriSign can pull this off with impunity then
other top level domains may try to do the same thing. This needs to be
stopped before it gets out of control.
If ICANN cannot or will not put a stop to VeriSign
then they will have proven their total irrelevance. Let's hope they will
do the right thing. In the mean time, vote with your
pocketbook!
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