Part 1 Post A Disappointment, Part 2 To Come

Posted by Steve under Off Topic on Friday, June 27th, 2008 11:46 pm

I have decided to rethink how I am going to word my part 2 article I was going to publish today. There is a reason for this. The post I made, Industry Chaos, was the third most read article since I started blogging and only 2 people left a comment. This is an indicator that many domainers are not willing to comment on such a controversial topic.

This is definitely a sensitive subject to discuss in an open forum. I find it very strange that an industry that demands transparency refuses to discuss sensitive topics as outlined. Everyone is quick to complain about the unethical practices of companies, but are not willing to unite and do things to make a difference. This is not a shot at Michael, Andrew and others, but the industry as a whole. I believe my statement about uniting and causing disruptive change was way off target. I thought domainers would keep it going for at least 2 weeks. However, I was dead wrong. It only lasted 3 days. No more talk about it in the industry and this amazes me. This is why the industry will continue to be threatened and at risk.

The people in power who can make a difference, fail to unite and lead the small time domainers into an organized front. I just do not understand this way of thinking in the domain industry. However, we will continue to hear about the injustices that occur to them in the future and others, as they rile up everyone again.

There is a couple of ways to decipher this lack of interaction with this topic. One is that many are guilty of unethical behavior as individuals, and the other is I am plain crazy to even bring this into the limelight. I think it is a mixture of both. This is why I am going to take my time to strategically word the part 2 post. Maybe, just maybe, domainers will be willing to communicate on the core issues at hand. It all begins with the individual changing their own unethical practices and then uniting to make a difference. This honestly speaks volumes of the current state of the domain industry. My rail analogy still holds up with individuals looking out for number 1.

The good ole boy network is not going to save or improve the industry. Amazing that over 700 people have read that post in 2 days, and only 1 comment was made. Are domainers that set in their ways that they will leave things to be solved by others?

It took only person to start a movement in 1955 that changed a nation. The movement was called the Civil Rights Movement. The person Rosa Parks. Change can only occur when you unite into a powerful force. A united front speaking with one voice is the only thing that is going to improve and protect the domain industry for the domain entrepreneur.

6 Responses to “Part 1 Post A Disappointment, Part 2 To Come”

Michael Castello Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 02:33 am
I was looking for a link from “Industry Chaos” but there was none. I really don’t know what post you are referring to. Explain further.

***SMO***

Hi Michael,

Here is the link. I have also updated the post to reflect as well. http://simplygeo.com/2008/06/26/domain-industry-chaos-how-did-we-get-here-and-what-will-you-do-part-1/
M. Menius Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 06:45 am
I think the issues you’re raising have been on people’s minds for awhile. There have been instances of unification: The ICA effort (which is ongoing), and most notably the rape attempt in 2006 in which ICANN almost allowed several registries to renew contracts that would allow unregulated domain registration price increases. Domainers came together as a group and helped shape a much better outcome in the face of incredible greed, deceptiveness, or perhaps outstanding incompetence. There, everyone involved worked to protect personal interests as well as “the industry” of domain investors/developers who were about to be robbed.

You speak of perhaps some domainers having guilty conscience, consequently not stepping forward. You are correct. The practices that have given the domain industry a bad reputation continue on … though thankfully on a much lower level (TM infringement, etc.). Many investors have obtained a better education on “where the line is” and are conscientiously avoiding any behaviors that could be branded as wrongful. In my opinion, the most unaccountable groups at this point in time are the registries and the registrars. Due to ICANN not having taken a better leadership (and monitoring) role, every conceivable loophole has been exploited by registrars … for years. This is old news. Until ICANN (as the body providing accreditation) clearly define what is inappropriate behavior, registrars will continue to engage in questionable practices. People on the Boards of registries are actually some of the ones “misusing” registrar accreditation to drop catch rare names and warehouse for personal profit. Conflict of interest issues have been going on for a long time and they are plentiful = old news. Most of the damage from this has been done, i.e. past tense.

I believe that much of what appears to be apathy is merely people being too busy in their personal lives to rally behind every cause. And some causes get overblown, exaggerated beyond any real threat. Picking battles wisely wins at the end of the day.

Lack of unity, in part, comes form the natural competition that exists between domain investors. As a group, we are split into many factions tied mostly to our personal investments and interests. This is as natural as it gets. It takes something to which EVERYONE can relate in order to bond together as a larger group to enact change. The “cause” must be universal enough to tap into each person’s self-interest. Many domainers do not get involved because a supposed warning bell either doesn’t appear a true danger, or just does not impact their particular interest. A common thread is usually essential.

For the most part, I have been impressed with the integrity of most domainers, and the intelligence of the group as a whole. There are many examples of domainers helping one another out. Maybe not yet on the large scale level. But it can evolve toward that.
Ben.VanDyk Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 16:10 pm
Steve

It’s great that you have provide some reflections on the new domain extension possibilities. For many Domainers , Businesses and Entrepreneurs it will mean opportunity and diversity for expanding our current business models. There is also a great danger in potential trademark disputes/lawsuits and instability of internet investment and governance. For me I would love to get some niche domain extension(s) and look forward to the day when it becomes possible.

The description of the new TLDS of vTLDS is an (IMO) injustice to the possibilities of these Domain extensions a better way to describe them would be iTLDS.
Andrew Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 20:34 pm
I chuckled a bit reading your post, as it amazes me after three years I still can predict the posts I make that will get lots of comments. Sometimes the most controversial or surprising posts get no comments, then ones I think no one will comment on get 20.

I’ve also found that long articles with many points don’t do so well. If you break it up into one key point per article people can hone in on that.

So now I’ve added a comment that really has nothing to do with your post, but at least you have more comments on this post than your last one

***SMO***

Andrew,

Thanks. Too funny. Yes, that is why I had to rewrite part 2.

Blogging is skill you have learn for sure. Going through the learning curve, only been 7 months. Hopefully I will get as good as you are one day at blogging. Practice makes perfect, or at least better.

Hope you are doing well and thanks.
Kelly Lieberman Says:
June 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
“This is an indicator that many domainers are not willing to comment on such a controversial topic……
The good ole boy network is not going to save or improve the industry. ”

More specifically, I think it is these types of topics that most domainers are not willing to comment on. The reason being is that you risk offending the group dealing the deck.

It’s interesting to me how few domainers bother to post at all anymore. I find it a welcome break to my day to check back and see what is going on in the “community” and post opinions here and there, but I find that it is a relatively small group of regulars that post. Most of them have blogs of their own, but there are very few new posters being added to the ranks.

I wonder what is going on there? If you had 700 people read that article you would have to assume that you have a huge readership and that over time some of them would be inspired to say something. Are people intimidated or just too busy?

***SMO**

Kelly,

There are 2 topics you hit on. 1st, one of the secrets to blog success is commenting on other’s blogs. This is why many bloggers interact in the community across all blogs. Some do not however, and keep all their thoughts on their blogs. What I have found since blogging, is it is very difficult to get new posters on blogs in the domain industry.

If I blogged on how to make money thru blogs, many new people would comment and ask questions, etc. But this industry is serious business and alot of money can be made with making just one decision not existent in most industries. IMO People are intimidated by the learning curve and do not want to sound unintelligent in a public forum when asking a question or posting. This is why forums are so popular. I believe many are new to the domain industry/geo, and many of the topics blogged in the community are so complex, that they feel they do not have knowledge to bring value to the discussion.

I have discovered though, if you develop an educational platform ie GeoDomainer.com, many topics get discussed on their level, rather than on a upfront public level such as industry blogs. Many bloggers are still trying to figure out that recipe though, to get new posters to interact. Even the most popular blogs in the domain industry can not recruit the “lurkers” in large volumes to post, as we call them.

Domainers are intimidated when discussing these topics as you outlined above. Many of the top domainers provide education and answers to questions, etc. So it is not in their best interest to post comments against practices by major players. However, the industry will never grow or improve if we continue to do business the same way and conduct ourselves as individuals, instead of an organization.
Constructive criticism can only help improve things.

The geo domain community is a perfect example of how we can grow a structured organization as a United front where everyone can profit, not just individuals. There have been many discussions that were not popular/controversial amongst seasoned leaders, however, this has only helped the geo community grow and open new learning opportunities.

We have a big announcement coming that will help Unite the domain community. We will do our part, we only hope that others will do the same to Unite the industry into an organization and change current practices for the betterment of the industry.
Kelly Lieberman Says:
June 29th, 2008 at 17:37 pm
Just to let you know, I don’t have a single Geo domain (unless GoingToKansasCity.com counts) but I try and read as much as I can across the industry to get a feel for the “wave”…

One suggestion that I have is that the ICA provide a “best practices” contract that domainers sign when they purchase a membership. Without going into great detail it would ask members to refrain from nefarious activity.

Perhaps the auction houses could require all participants, themselves included, to be card carrying members in good standing with the ICA, in order to be a seller. It would be hard to regulate the buyers who may be end-users. (if we ever end up seeing end users at the auctions!)

I know that the ICA would have to govern disputes- if for example a domainer owns a TM domain and they weren’t aware of it etc. So, maybe it could be a huge pain in the rear… but I think we just all need to get talking about what we can do.

I don’t mind if somebody tells me that my idea is a load of “you know what” if it helps someone else come up with a better idea. That is how great ideas come into play, with some newbie coming up with some ridiculous idea that makes the seasoned veterans look at things at a different angle.

Anyway, to all the lurkers out there …we sure would love to hear from you…

About

My name is Steven Morales and I entered the domain industry back in 1999. I started out in the greatdomains.com chatroom under the nickname ”texmex”. I have been in and out of the industry and have sold several of domain names over the years. Read more