VeriSign/NSI Proposes Domain Name Wait Listing Service

David Harris writes: "Newsbytes and the folks over at DotcomScoop.com have good stories about VeriSign's proposal to start a "Wait Listing Service" (WLS) that would allow consumers to buy domain names before they expire. As with anything that has to do with VeriSign/Network Solutions the "WLS" ain't all it cracked up to be and there is opposition from the ICANN community. I'm not sure I like the idea of auctioning off domains before they expire either." CD: To quote Don Marti: "DNS is a consensus reality."

New footnote:

[ImaLamer]

New footnote at the bottom of your city's homepage:

Be ready for hot teens in six months at www.CITYNAME.gov!!!

Great idea! Sounds like another way to get money out of domain name holders.

Out of All Curiousity... Buy MSFT.com?

[Ieshan]

I'm really not sure how many active users Slashdot has, but if we all donated a few bucks, think we could bid for some big domain names?

I think it'd be interesting to see a bid from Slashdot on Microsoft.com, in 10 years it could be an open source page; directing users to the new Microsoft Home: www.geocities.com/microsoft.

We could also buy some other big ones, including AOL or Time. Just think of the amazing site traffic you'd get on whitehouse.gov, assuming Bush neglected everything important (like he always does) and forgot to tell someone to renew his Verisign lease.

Or maybe... just maybe... Anyone want to start a paypal to buy slashdot.org with me? If you still want to read the news, we'll provide a link to their new homepage, whichever company they decide to bid for.

Car Salesmen Are Turning Green With Envy

[guttentag]

"What do you mean they've found a way to sell used stuff for six times its original value?! We've been trying to do that for nearly a century!"

You know, I've had my eye on my neighbor's car for some time now... maybe I should put myself on the DMV's waitlist so I can snatch it from him when he's late in renewing his registration. I'd better start saving now, though, because I saw the old lady across the street checking it out today.

What happens if the name doesn't expire?

[guttentag]

Perhaps I missed something in both articles. I don't see any mention of how this system is supposed to work, but here's what I envision:

January 2002

• My domain name expires in 6 months.
• My neighbor wants my domain name, so he pays NetSol $50 to be waitlisted.

June 2002

• I log on to netsol.com and renew my domain for another year.
• NetSol takes my renewal money and keeps some or all of my neighbor's money.
• My neighbor is SOL (but he'll get another chance next year!).

IIRC from the college entrance experience, "waitlisted" is not a guarantee. It's a "we'll see." It sounds like NetSol is forming an online gambling institution: people pay NetSol for the right to purchase a domain name in the event that the current doesn't renew.

That's like going to the only real estate agent in town and giving him money to guarantee you your neighbor's house in the event that your neighbor decides to sell. In fact, you have to do that this becomes the only way you can buy an existing house in town because if you don't someone else will.

:::GASP:::

Could the proverbial "abuse of absolute power" we've all heard about in fables but never seen with our own eyes?

I think there's a way around this. Contact the owner of the domain you want and ask if he's going to renew. If he's not going to, offer to buy it from him for half of what NetSol would charge for the waitlist fee. That way you save money, the person who was dropping the domain makes some money, and NetSol doesn't get anything it hasn't earned.