Geeks seek internet name

Geeks may soon be able to label their websites as such under a proposal being considered by internetNZ, through the Office of the Domain Name Commissioner.

InternetNZ is calling for public discussion regarding the request for the new second level domain name of .geek.nz.

"This is the last proposal received before a moratorium on new proposals was imposed by the Society in August this year," internetNZ executive director Sue Leader said today.

InternetNZ, which did not prejudge any proposals, expected this one to generate a lot of debate.

"To the proposers, to be called a geek by one's peers is to receive a high accolade as it acknowledges technical expertise and competence. To others, the label geek conjures up images of pocket protectors and slide-rules. Clearly this difference in perception will influence the discussion," she said in a statement.

The moratorium on proposals for new second level domains was set by the society to allow the domain name commissioner to undertake a consultative review of the process for creating new second level domains.

"It's time for a second look as the whole environment has changed on the internet. What looked appropriately open and consultative in 1997, looks overly complex and lengthy in 2002. Some people think we should do away with second level domains entirely, so the consultation should be at least as interesting as the .geek.nz discussion," Ms Leader said.

If successful, .geek.nz would become the twelfth second level domain in New Zealand, and join .maori.nz as the only new one since the current process was established in 1997.


- NZPA


http://geek.nznog.org/