[wildcard-comments] Re: VeriSign Shut Down order by Trashcan

[Daniel C / Dalbaech <dalbaech@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The SiteFinder service was a DNS based wildcard. It effected EVERY 
browser, every operating system.

You have the misconception that Microsoft is doing the same thing because 
of their pretty 404 errors, when in actuality, it's a portion of your 
browser that's redirecting you. Not a DNS entry on the internet.

That only effects certain browsers, what Verisign did effected every 
browser.

What Microsoft decides to put in their code, is their decision.

In regards to Verisign...

The entire point of allowing multiple registrars to have the ability to 
create domain entries was so that there could be competition. When 
Verisign took it upon themselves to start this service, they stepped over 
their boundries. They abused the power which was delegated to them.

Oh, that domain isn't found? Isn't Verisign a registrar, don't I see 
their name on this page that I've been sent to? Why don't I use 
them to register the domain?

This is what is can boil down to... Verisign (formerly Internic, now 
Network Solutions) decided it would be ok to go ahead and try getting a 
competitive edge, where other registrars couldn't.

If this was truly a service which would help the community, they would not 
have had it in a veil of secrecy, they would not have spent millions, or 
however much they supposedly spent on a project that would normally cost 
not even 1 million, and then complain about it later when they get shut 
down.

Yes, they're going to lose money, but not because of the development of a 
service that was shutdown, but rather, them not being able to leave the 
service active and gain an edge above other registrars.

In response to the lawsuits and letters from other registrars against 
Verisign: 

It's about time. This isn't the Internet is was a few years ago; things 
have changed. We no longer have to pay outragous prices because of the 
competition. We no longer have to go to ONE company for everything to do 
with Names... I'm glad that other registrars are filings suits against 
Verisign, and I actually hope that the Federal Trade Commission will even 
look into this. If legal action can't be taken, then I believe that it 
will be at the hands of the "internet community"...

Verisign said that there were surveys or market research done by 
"independent third parties"... Exactly how much did you pay the 
"nonbiased" marketting companies to publish the reports?

In response to your comment that ICANN is biased; it is not. The statement 
that you made was somewhat flawed, for the fact that you are more than 
likely using a browser made by Microsoft. If you have such a problem with 
the redirect, go into Tools-Internet Options and Advanced and find out 
where to turn it off. It's a local issue, not a global one. Verisign 
caused a global issue, which effected everyone. Inadvertantly, this caused 
issues with SPAM Filtering, Automated Webhosting Control Panels 
(specifically CPanel for one), and a few other services which rely on a 
NOT FOUND response from DNS...

And a "404" message actually means "file not found" not "domain not 
found".

Turn off friendly HTTP error messages.

--
Daniel Carll