by jothan | Sep 24, 2007 | ICANN, NewTLDs
What are your ideas for new top level domains?
Because of my tenure in the namespace market, I have the privilege of being a person that folks trust for open feedback on their TLD applications for the upcoming rounds next year.
I’ve heard or seen over 50 different pitches or business concepts at this point for new TLDs.
Some are great and have a ton of commercial appeal, some are not bad in that there is a good premise behind what they provide as an experience for the end user, and some are not going to get over a thousand registrations in their lifetime (and they’re good with that).
Lots of duplications…  Of the over 50 that I have seen, there’s 1 that I have seen 4 separate potential applicants for, 2 that I have seen triples of, and 9 that I have seen duplicates of, and the rest are individual strings.
Great minds think alike, and I am certain I have not seen every application out there.
I know most every registry platform, the various providers who outsource these capabilities, and technical requirements for resolution and registration services, and also understand the registrar channel well, because I have operated registries and registrars.
If you are a person could benefit from a chat, I’ll put it out there that I am discretely reviewing these on a pro-bono basis, and am glad to offer any feedback privately.
by jothan | Sep 15, 2007 | Jothan
OK, I ordered one, and my ROM machine is here. I am going to start working out daily and track my weight and shape here.
Thanks to friends with comments.
I will say this:
The process of ordering the ROM and their handling of shipping was one of the most white glove processes I have ever experienced. Kudos to the company on this. Many companies could learn from them.
The machine is beautiful and every attention to detail was made in its crafting, down to the mat that is included and the locking device that has its combo identical to the last 4 of the serial number.
4 Minutes pass like the breeze, but I am sore beyond belief after. It either is working or I am really out of shape. Or both.
by jothan | Aug 11, 2007 | Jothan, Meetings
What do people think of the fastexercise.com “ROM” workout machine?Â
 Please comment!
OK, I came to a relization that I am a growing boy, and unfortunately that stopped being vertical growth after age 19. Realizing that I can have more energy, and be more healthy in general if I do more exercise than I currently am doing, I decided to step up and do something. First step of course is to break away from a pattern of  oreo binges.
 I travel a lot (hence the name of my blog), and I notice there is an ad in the in flight magazines for the ROM 4 minute workout machine. 4 minutes a day of intensive workout. No More. No Less. I can afford 4 minutes’ time.
With tax and shipping and what not, a unit comes in at just about 16k in costs, but I mentally justified the amount because I figure (hope) that perhaps the benefits are far greater than that amount.
Should I make this purchase?Â
I will open up comments on this one to the general public to see what comes back before I move on this, because of the amount to be spent here.
by jothan | Jul 31, 2007 | ICANN
Just in from around the net, Afilias and GoDaddy have arranged a joint venture called Alliance Registry and have announced their plans to bid for the .US ccTLD that is currently run by NeuStar.
Well recognized and respected industry name Brian Cute was named as the director of usTLD Development, yet another high powered hire in the domain industry to lead the process.
I have no opinion on this process, but this was interesting news today!
by jothan | Jul 28, 2007 | Speaking
I just had the opportunity to speak and moderate a panel at HostingCon in Chicago on the domain name industry and the secondary market for domain names.
There was a packed room, and with me were Sean Stafford of DNZoom, Frank Mitchlick of DomainNameNews.com and sharedreviews.com, and Tim Schumacher of Sedo, plus lots of very intelligent CEOs and senior management approached me throughout the show with a series of relly intelligent questions about the domain name industry.
I came away from the event with a few takeaways. One is that my friend Isabel Wang totally gets it, two is that most hosting companies are clueing into the thundering sound of lost revenue rolling off the edge of the earth when their domain names expire, and third was that we’re experiencing immense growth in our industry to see a conference of this size be so well orchestrated and focused on business development so well.
Props to Frank, George, and Sue at Inter Juncture, and much success to you!
