more on New Domain Is Proposed

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

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--

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