Marchex launches numeric domain beta

[Focus]

I missed the .com area code for long island new york that was on sale on afternic "bazaar" for like $20..doh! I was waiting for it to go lower and lower and someone grabbed it like 2 months ago right before I had a chance to! ohh well..probably wont be worth more than that anyways..this whole thing sounds like a waste of shareholder money..but thats OK with me! I love big pocket end-users maybe they will come knocking on my whois door for my others! hehehe

 

[mole]

opinions are like assholes ... everybody has one. :clown:

are the sizes the same? :clown:

 

[Netego]

are the sizes the same? :clown:

Probably not, that's why we have different opinions!

 

[OnSpec]

This is the sort of thing that would be more sensibly done as a set of logical subdomains of a given base domain, like "90210.zip.info" if you already own "zip.info", for instance. That way, you could create whichever numeric names you want/need, without having to maintain thousands of registrations or worry about cybersquatters creating gaps in your coverage.

I would agree if numeric domains were only going to be used for Internet access via a computer. The dynamics change substantially when extending access to the "third screen" or cell phones. I think this is where Marchex (and others) are ultimately going with their thinking. Use the computer to raise awareness and begin seeding the idea of using numeric domains to access that Internet. As more and more people access the Intenet via wap enabled devices and the third screen, it becomes a natural extension to input numbers, rather than letters on your cell phone.

In this instance, a cell phone user would only have to input 90210.com as opposed to 90210.domainname.com. That's a lot of keystrokes on a small device which increses that potential for error input and frustrated user experience. In addition, input errors also increase when the domain is not in your primary language.

When I want to find a zip I Google it or go to USPS.com
The registration of thousands of zip code .com domains is pointless.

Fine and dandy when you are on your computer. What about when you are on a cell phone or other wap device. This exercise can become frustrating.

And contrary to your assertion that registration of thousands of zip code .com domains is pointless, I would hazard a guess that those who own the numeric domains beg to differ.

In addition, it seems that you may have profited from this process from the work you have done suppling lists of un-regged domains to people interested in this area. Keep up the good work.

 

[Rubber Duck]

That's a lot of keystrokes on a small device which increses that potential for error input and frustrated user experience. In addition, input errors also increase when the domain is not in your primary language.

I would agree with you on that one and accessing a domain from a phone where the Language Characters are local such as Japanese and Chinese is one of the over-riding arguments behind the IDN. The Chinese have been using numeric domain names for a long-time now, but the advent of IDN will tend to send them in the opposite direction, i.e. away from numeric domains.

At the end of the day, it is all down to memorability of the domain. Where numberics assist with this there will be a niche, but remember that domain names were originally adopted because people couldn't realistically be expected to remember large number of long numberic codes, i.e. IP addresses.
Your local zip code is an example of a number with which most users will be reasonably familiar, so in this instance there could be an opportunity.

Best Regards
Dave Wrixon

 

[OnSpec]

Originally posted by Mole:

Ditto. Domain names are used to replace complex number strings, not bring them back.


Hey Mole - no question. On the computer, words work better than numbers. And even on cell phones words are more likely to be the input of choice. But as more and more people access the Internet by phone, and if (and I agree it could be a big "if"), the ease and utility of numeric domains is properly marketed, one could see why some of the "players" have invested in numeric domains.

For example, one of the hottest new puzzle phenomenons to surface around the globe is called Sudoku. It's a simple logic puzzle whereby you input numbers from 1-9 in a grid of 9 rows, 9 columns and nine smaller boxes of 9 - geddit? such that the numbers 1-9 only appear once in each row, column and box.

I want to bring this puzzle game to cellphones so I registered the numeric equivalent - 783658.com. It's much easier on a cell phone to enter 783658.com than to enter something like wwwDOTsudokuoncellDOTcom/mobile.

So while I agree on the computer side of it being more logical to use words, I think that we'll eventually be more comfortable using numbers on the phone. The fact that numeric domains are country agnostic, hand-held device agnostic, wireless carrier agnostic and browser agnostic is simply icing on the cake.

 

[Rubber Duck]

Originally posted by Mole:

Ditto. Domain names are used to replace complex number strings, not bring them back.


Hey Mole - no question. On the computer, words work better than numbers. And even on cell phones words are more likely to be the input of choice. But as more and more people access the Internet by phone, and if (and I agree it could be a big "if"), the ease and utility of numeric domains is properly marketed, one could see why some of the "players" have invested in numeric domains.

For example, one of the hottest new puzzle phenomenons to surface around the globe is called Sudoku. It's a simple logic puzzle whereby you input numbers from 1-9 in a grid of 9 rows, 9 columns and nine smaller boxes of 9 - geddit? such that the nimbers 1-9 only appear once in each row, column and box.

I want to bring this puzzle game to cellphones so I registered the numeric equivalent - 783658.com. It's much easier on a cell phone to enter 783658.com than to enter something like wwwDOTsudokuoncellDOTcom/mobile.

So while I agree on the computer side of it being more logical to use words, I think that we'll eventually be more comfortable using numbers on the phone. The fact that numeric domains are country agnostic, hand-held device agnostic, wireless carrier agnostic and browser agnostic is simply icing on the cake.

I can understand the sentiment as I have never really mastered texting, but I have largely overcome the problem by getting a phone with a flip over Qwerty keyboard.

I think your really competition will come from libraries of Sudoku that you will almost certainly soon be able to download from your service provider. To do that you won't have to key anything at all and you won't need to have the phone tied up on a Call either.

Best Regards
Dave Wrixon

 

[OnSpec]

I can understand the sentiment as I have never really mastered texting, but I have largely overcome the problem by getting a phone with a flip over Qwerty keyboard.

I think your really competition will come from libraries of Sudoku that you will almost certainly soon be able to download from your service provider. To do that you won't have to key anything at all and you won't need to have the phone tied up on a Call either.

Best Regards
Dave Wrixon

Points taken. However there are still the language and other issues that bode well for numeric domains globally.

 

[David G]

A better solution than number names for small screens like a cellphone is a future holographic keypad where a large 3D Display keyboard floats in the air.

 

[Rubber Duck]

Points taken. However there are still the language and other issues that bode well for numeric domains globally.

I am a keen Sudoku player, like the fiendish ones, but I think I would struggle to do it on a mobile phone. Not only do you need to get a single numberic character into each cell, but to have any chance of success you need to make notes as well. Anyway, best of luck with the idea!

Best Regards
Dave Wrixon