the Web Chef's e-Bytes

.Tel Domain Name Introduced

Telnic, the exclusive registrar for the .tel domain name launched today.  Trademark holders will have a global phone book where they can place their phone numbers in a Telnic supported form according to ReadWrite web.  According to an ad that Telnic ran in the New York Times on November 17, 2008 the benefits of the .tel gTLD are the following:

• "Join a globl online directory that provides your instant worldwide exposure
• Integrate all means of communications in a single place under your control
• Upadte and manage your contact information in real time
• Increase search engine visibility through descriptive keywords
• Provide a simple, fast and cost effective way for your customer to connect with you in a single click from any mobile device.. all without the need to build, host or manage a website"

Wikinews conducted a Google search on .tel and found that as of this posting there were "already 581 pages using the new tLD".

Domain names are managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers or ICANN.  This new domain name joins other popular 1st generation generic Top Level Domain Names or TLDNs like .com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net, and .org  along with those introduced more recently - .biz, .info, .name, .pro, .coop, .museum and .aero.

ICANN & Sex

ICANN is back with their proposal to allow sex sites to utilize the .xxx domain name according to The New York Times.  Prior iterations of the proposal were attacked by the right wing for creating greater access and visibility to the robust online sex industy. 

According to the article, part of the uncertainty about the idea stems from varying laws around the world with respect to online pornography.  In the event that the proposal moves forward the .xxx Registrar would need to work with the adult content industry to come up with guidelines and strategies to reduce the prevalence or possibilty of child pornography.

The chances of the .xxx domain name being approved are still uncertain.