🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <434mdq$c3r@shell1.best.com>, rpwhite@best.com (rpwhite) wrote:

> INTERNET BEGINS FEE-BASED REGISTRATION  
> 
> 
>         (HERNDON, VA)  September 18, 1995 -- Internet domain name registrants
> will begin paying registration fees immediately in order to improve 
> registration processing and fund Internet infrastructure improvements.

Even if I were stupid enough to trust SAIC with this kind of manufactured
monopoly, I'd be upset at the far too high yearly charges.


Our shared US namespace (.com, .net, .org, .edu and .gov) is an Internet
village commons.

Now, we suddenly have a group of ne'er-do-wells trying to charge us to use it.

Sounds like a gang of brigands trying to set itself up with the trappings
of "government" so their extortion can be relabeled as a "fee".


I have no problem with _reasonable_ fees for maintenance of of top level
domains.  I have a severe problem with a for-profit corporation baldly
usurping control and setting themselves up with a monopoly complete with
fees at a level motivated more by raw greed than the desire to provide
service.

I'd much rather see the top level domains under the control of a
non-profit membership based cooperative association, with fully public
books.  There's at least a chance of trusting such an organization.


Richard