[wildcard-comments] VeriSign Wildcard issues

[KCom Hostmaster <hostmaster@xxxxxxxx>]

VeriSign's recent addition of wildcards to the .com and .net zones gives
nothing positive to the end user, but merely increases VeriSign's profit
margins at the expense of user experience.
This is further proof that the Registry and Registrar elements should be run
by separate companies, with the Registry operating in a non-profit manner.
Nominet and it's member system is a perfect example of how the Registry can
be run for the good of the Internet community, while still fostering
competition.

The IAB critique at
http://www.iab.org/documents/docs/2003-09-20-dns-wildcards.html lists the
major problems with the wildcards more eloquently that I can, so I won't go
over them again, however the most important points are worth repeating:
1) Wildcards break the Robustness Principle
2) Wildcards break the Principle of Least Astonishment

These wildcards should be removed urgently, and the running of the relevant
Registries should be handed over to non-profit organisations that do not
double as Registrars as soon as possible.

Mark Healey
Hostmaster

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