Interesting People mailing list archives
more on New Domain Is Proposed
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 14:12:33 -0500
Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 08:29:21 -0800 (PST) From: Karl Auerbach <karl () cavebear com> Subject: Re: [IP] New Domain Is Proposed To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net> On Thu, 11 Mar 2004, Dave Farber wrote: > New Domain Is Proposed The proposed .mobile is a stupid idea. First of all there is the fact that a domain name does not represent a web site or even a host computer. Rather, a domain name is merely a database key that leads to potentially a multiplicity of records of many diverse types. In addition, even if one takes the most limited view of DNS and believes that a domain name leads to an A(ddress) record of exactly one interface on one host computer, there is still the fact that host computers themselves offer a multiplicity of services. In other words, a domain name is a very poor way to label things - it would be like using the words "North America" to refer to exactly one person, like Fred Smith in Peoria, to the exclusion of all other people there. As for .mobile being intrinsicly mobile: What is mobile in your mind may be static in my mind - For example, a lot of laptop computers don't move. And does one really believe that domain names accurately portray the nature of the thing they point to? What about "whitehouse.com" (which leads to an A record pointing to a host interface that supports a web site offering porn.) And, in another context, many "mobile" homes seem more stationary than mountains. Would it not be better to simply have a protocol that makes an inquiry of a device and asks "are you potentially mobile"? We already have such protocols - SNMP (v3 with security) comes to mind. And many devices contain little web servers that can be queried. And to add the cherry to top off this dumb idea, the word "mobile" is English and will not necessary be comprehended by the bulk of the world's population. --karl-- ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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