.nz news & views

	Friday, 27 September 2002

Domainz issues 25% price increase Yet another announcement from Domainz today is that effective February 2003 the price of names registered via them will rise 25% (from $44 to $55). I guess this is the result of the registrar price being set at $2 per month with the release of the SRS. They have also reduced the name holder fees. For exact details read the announcement. I think this price increase is an excellent idea. It provides further reason for registrants to select another registrar. Nothing like getting people to review their agreements when they see a 25% cost increase! 11:13:49 AM      Like to comment? []

Domainz is down for 30 minutes a day As part of the change resulting from the maori.nz screwup Domainz now blocks registrations (and the entire use of its website) for 15 minutes after each zone file push. I am not aware of any other TLD that has such a planned outage everyday. Perhaps that the actual website could be online but the registration aspect is disabled do people could at least look at other parts of the website? 11:09:16 AM      Like to comment? []

Domainz updates its terms of service IDG has an article on Domainz updating its terms of service as fall out of the .maori.nz screwup. You can request a copy of the new terms of service via PDF from Domainz or check out the website. 11:06:58 AM      Like to comment? []

	Thursday, 26 September 2002

ccTLD's and IANA I have just received a copy of a email that was sent to the Names Council list. I would link to the archive but it is closed at the moment. It makes a very interesting read. To give an idea of the issues for .nz with IANA the .nz record is wrong on every aspect. The details are wrong for: Sponsoring Organization (wrong address) Administrative Contact (wrong address and contact details) Technical Contact (wrong organisation since May 2000) That does not leave much left in the record. 2:12:26 PM      Like to comment? []

DNC rules on Domainz screwup while avoiding jurisdiction Debbie Monahan, the DNC, has issued a 'ruling' on the Domainz screwups around the .maori.nz release according to IDG. The article explains those that tried to use the foobared email template to register a name should get them if the Domainz records show that the date stamp was prior to the web template registration. Now I have great respect for Debbie but one thing which is annoying (which I have told her before) is the 'I have no jurisdiction until SRS is live on October 14th' thinking. Debbie said the same thing when she started but before the DNC budget came into effect (she started early May but budget was not effective until July 1st) and the same thing was said 'I have no jurisdiction until July 1st'. Now, the scary thing is I do not think the SRS should be deemed live on October 14th as only one registrar is allowed access to the registry until December 7th. If you even want to be a registrar you cannot even apply until October 14th. Another example of this is the handing the ICANN travel budget to the International Affairs Committee (IAC). This is similar in my opinion of handing cash to chronic gamblers as IAC members are almost exclusively the ones that go to ICANN meetings. Gee, wonder if they will try to save money on this budget line item of $136,375 (which is over double last years budget for ICANN travel). 9:43:30 AM      Like to comment? []

	Wednesday, 25 September 2002

Domainz was the non compliant party for the SRS Two weeks ago it was noted that one of more parties involved in the SRS may not be ready for the launch. The just released papers for the up coming council meeting has more detail on this. The Presidents report has "the QA undertaken on the SRS project indicated that all parties except Domainz were compliant at the review point, and a further check will ensure Domainz's compliance shortly. All is set for a launch date of the SRS on 14 October. A SRS report has "Domainz having incomplete project documentation and being exposed due to an apparent lack of organisational readiness." So after all this time and all the platitudes from Domainz they still were late and deemed the highest risk. More things change the more they remain the same. 1:42:57 PM      Like to comment? []

	Tuesday, 24 September 2002

newzealand.com UDRPed. newzealand.com (WIPO D2002-0754) and newzealand.biz (WIPO DBIZ2002-00270) have both had UDRP disputes filed in the last few months. Both are pending and due to an error in the ICANN website I can't see the status of them. Update: This error is in fact a design flaw from ICANN. A link called 'Pending' is made to the outcome and of course no outcome has been made. Therefore the file does not exist so you get an error. Logic states you should not link to a file you know does not exist yet. But hey whats logic got to do with ICANN? 2:34:07 PM      Like to comment? []

	Monday, 23 September 2002

Global whois? A series of whois 'events' lead me to think about 'global' whois today. A revised whois spec was issued late last week for the SRS with a test server at srstest.catalyst.net.nz. Postings about whois on the DNSO GA list (1, 2, 3, 4 for a small selection). Reading a document posted by Mariyn Cade co chair of the Names Council whois task force.  A title of an entire section is "Uniformity of data formats and elements across various TLDs and registrars, including ccTLDs." An analogy of whois could well be the details of 'body corporates', such as, companies, incorporated societies, trusts, etc. Now, each of the requirements and formats are up to each country on the requirements and more importantly the data exposed on the body corporates. For instance in NZ a very good site exits run by the Companies Office. This is a searchable registry for company names, directors and other details. However, does a global standard apply for other countries equivalent registry? What are the compelling reasons for a global whois standard especially for those TLD's that already have a whois like service... will someone pay the TLD to convert to the 'global' standard? 9:26:09 PM      Like to comment? []

Zone push leads to downtime? Domainz had this message on its website for longer than the 60 seconds it states. I first saw it at 11:02am and the normal index page came back between 11:11am and 11:17am. Thus for 9 to 15 minutes the website, and I assume the email template, were unusable. If this happens at every zone push means that over a period of a month or more that site has a major in built down time. 11:37:58 AM      Like to comment? []

ICANN websites People have asked why I have not commented on any of the ICANN 'events' of that last week or so. The major reason is that is it directly affects .nz I comment on it otherwise the following three sites do an excellent job at ICANN news: ICANN.blog No Such Weblog ICANNWatch 11:15:56 AM      Like to comment? []

	Friday, 13 September 2002

Comparing DRS Review to SRS todate The comment about risks and QA in the minutes lead me to think about the "Post Implementation Review of the Domainz Registry System" (aka DRS Report). A Google search results in a Aardvark story and IDG story being the 'best' to read for background on report. I have a copy of the published DRS report and I think it might be time to remind people about the recommendations/summary of this report with my comments regarding the SRS: Ineffective consultation (not true for SRS) Lack of acceptance of the changes implemented (doubt this is true for SRS) Lack of business process and user requirements (not true for SRS) Deficiencies in system design and development (not true for former, unknown on later) Inadequate acceptance testing (unknown, who is doing UAT for SRS?) Inadequate project management (doubt this is true for SRS) Lack of external quality assurance (PM QA has been done, design QA was done, no idea if any post QA of development has been done for SRS) So, based on public information the SRS is looking good compared to the DRS but perhaps UAT and technical review might need to be reported in greater detail (assuming this has been done). 11:10:43 PM      Like to comment? []

InternetNZ minutes online InternetNZ released the minutes of the August 30th council meeting on Thursday.  Some items did leap out and hit me that were not alluded to or mentioned before are (with my emphasis): "The Project is on time and in budget. All risks with the exception of one are manageable. No threats foreseen except the IP numbers issue. If this issue is not sorted by Monday week (9 Sept), NZRS will meet and will seriously consider putting a pause on entire process." and "EVOTE 020801 [THAT Council] Note the recently identified risk that one or more parties involved in the SRS implementation may not be ready for an October 2002 implementation date. CARRIED" This does make you think... who is (was?) not ready? 10:40:13 PM      Like to comment? []

NZRS website For those that have not noticed .nz Registry Services (the new trading name of New Zealand Domain Name Registry Ltd) has a basic website at www.nzrs.net.nz. Has some unique content (NZRS polices) but mainly (rightfully so) points to the DNC/InternetNZ websites. 10:24:28 PM      Like to comment? []

.nz coverage for the week Round up of this weeks stories on .nz: Domainz under fire over .maori.nz name ownership FryUp: Domainz, Vampires, Lizards Domain names to be transferred to iwi   Online Maori enter new domain General opinion story on 2LD changes 10:19:50 PM      Like to comment? []

	Saturday, 7 September 2002

speculator hits .maori.nz NZ Herald has a story of a person registry 58 names in .maori.nz and listing them all for sale for $1,000 each. Several iwi names are included. 10:02:34 PM      Like to comment? []

.nz grows again Mark Davies has released his monthly zone file analysis for August. It shows a total of 113,358 names, a growth of 1,304 (1.16%) for the month. Using the figures of the last 12 months it does show an overall increase of 12.58%. I would think Verisign would envy that rate of growth :-) 9:25:35 PM      Like to comment? []

	Friday, 6 September 2002

.nz polices, RIK and implementation date released The DNC released a series of documents today. They are all around .nz polices and the RIK. They are key reading for anyone interested in the .nz space. Also of note buried in one of the pages is a document called Planned Timetable which has the date of the SRS Implementation date which is 1am on October 14th. 5:42:52 PM      Like to comment? []

Registrar Implementation Kit to be issued today The RIK (Registrar Implementation Kit) is due for release this afternoon. This is major milestone for the SRS as this should have all the information, both technical and policy, for anyone that is interested in becoming a .nz Registrar. I also note that Whois server information has been issued. Note: I have provided some consulting to the .nz Registry on the connection process and policy. This document is included in the RIK. 2:00:37 PM      Like to comment? []

dotPH implements a waitlist service The dotPH ccTLD has released a wait list like service. The announcment has a statement about pricing which is the same as the same as registering a name (which is unlike the VeriSign WLS pricing). The movement of a waitlist service as being the offered by a ccTLD registry is occurring faster than I expected. 11:02:36 AM      Like to comment? []

Stories on .maori.nz launch Both IDGnet and NZ Herald have a stories on the .maori.nz launch. The interesting thing is the NZ Herald story has no mention of Domainz have to stop ALL .nz registrations for approx 6 hours yesterday.  8:33:22 AM      Like to comment? []

	Thursday, 5 September 2002

DRS back online? Seems the DRS must back online and taking registrations as the "IMPORTANT NOTICE" message has gone from the media centre. However the link still works and I guess they didn't advise when "... advise when the facility has been restored." 8:33:09 PM      Like to comment? []

maori.nz has caused .problems? The release of the new 2LD .maori.nz occurred at 11am today. Alas, it seems the DRS turned its toes up soon afterwards. It was reported on the InternetNZ members list that one name (a.maori.nz) had name holder details of one registrant and tech details and name servers of another. This has since been corrected. Sooner after this was commented on a message appeared on the Domainz website: "IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to technical difficulties experienced during the activation of .maori names, Domainz have temporarily suspended web registrations until a resolution has been found. We will advise when the facility has been restored." This was buried in a link from the media centre and not even on the home page. 2:02:35 PM      Like to comment? []

	Tuesday, 3 September 2002

IDGnet on 2LD moratorium A story on the 2LD moratorium is on IDGnet this morning. 8:30:34 AM      Like to comment? []

	Monday, 2 September 2002

InternetNZ ignores LIC and RFC 1591 and suspends policy without notice InternetNZ prides itself on being a role model for ccTLD's. In this regard it has been very vocal of ICANN as also a leader in many ccTLD issues. InternetNZ is a full member of APTLDand is an associate member of CENTR. .nz took a leading role in drafting the Best Practice Guidelines for ccTLD Managers document and also has a definition about the meaning of the New Zealand LIC (local internet community). As well as this InternetNZ regularly cites RFC 1591 with regard to ccTLD's and even has a copy of it on its website. Guess this is all lip service as at the last InternetNZ council meeting a motion was passed that included: MOVED: Streatfield/Bourne 'THAT: a) a moratorium start today on all new 2LD applications (no more will because of the upcoming review of 2nd level domains by NZOC' At a drop a hat all the consulting of the LIC and aspects of best practice got thrown out the window on an item that was not even on the agenda! Heck, even ICANN gives you plenty of notice you are going to get screwed! I guess InternetNZ believes that the august body of council has the right to suspend policy with out notice on any policy it wants. Lets ignore that this policy was put in place with several rounds of consultation and lead by Professor John Hine. Lets go on a role and suspend all other policy that resulted in the hundreds of voluntary hours put in by John Hine in the various different working groups he has lead. To add salt in the wound John Hine is even a Fellow of Internet! Anyone want to start a pool on when the NZOC will even start on this policy review? 11:29:49 PM      Like to comment? []

.nz confirms funding of GAC rep to Shanghai On August 13th I commented about InternetNZ funding the NZ GAC rep to the next ICANN meeting in Shanghai. At the time David Farrar even commented the the DNSO GA list that this was the case. Well, seems it was the case as InternetNZ is sending two people as well as funding the NZ GAC rep to attend the GAC meetings. Wonder if they still serve G&T's business class? 10:58:31 PM      Like to comment? []

maori.nz to go live Sept. 5th maori.nz will go live on September 5th. Council approved this report which also allows NZMIS to register 3 names (nzmis, internet and www) at the 3rd level before the 2LD is opened up. I do notice that the report is signed by Frank March yet the style and wording is nearly exact to DNC and SRS reports that predate Frank in his role... 10:43:19 PM      Like to comment? []

Council meeting tidbits Last Friday InternetNZ held a council meeting. David Farrar posted on Sunday his 'unofficial' summary of events. Those item not needing seperate posts included: Council changing the name the legal name of NZ Internet Registry Ltd (trading as Domainz) to "Domainz Ltd". My understanding of NZ company law means a special general meeting is required. Certainly not something that can be done on a whim and not even on the agenda! Drew Whittle being appointed to the board of Domainz, with the Domainz Chair not wanting Drew being appointed if rumours are true. Council also deplored ICANN's recent decision to approve Verisign's Wait Listing Service 10:34:55 PM      Like to comment? []

geek.nz update Dean Pemberton was sent the following on Friday about his geek.nz application: "The .nz Oversight Ctte (NZOC) reported on their planned work schedule at today's Council Meeting. NZOC noted that the review of both the new 2LD creation process and the surrounding discussions about the nature of the space itself, was high on their priority list after the SRS is implemented." After this was wording of a motion that included the statement that: "that .geek.nz proceeds sequentially after .bank.nz is concluded" Based on 2LD policy it wont be close to Christmas before this application even starts its approval journey. 10:25:08 PM      Like to comment? []