Realnames will die on Monday

http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/176525.html

RealNames Corp., one of the firms that pioneered the keyword approach to Internet addressing, will go out of business Monday, and as a result thousands of Internet keywords will go dark before the end of June, according to a source familiar with the situation.

RealNames, based in Redwood City, Calif., will lay off about 80 employees on Monday and will begin the process of liquidating its assets, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous.

 

looks like f company was right,

maybe our realnames will buy their old domain?

 

More info from the ex founder:

http://www.teare.com

 

[yesonline]

a scam ! They charge you first and check out if you could use the real name keywords you 've paid for later. If not, they revoke your keywords and no-refund you at all.

 

Isn't that the same that is being used for the IE , eg. typing "domainsurfer" would take you to domainsurfer.com ?

 

Real names, like all other dotcoms before the bubble bust, were a bunch of egotistical idiots who wanted to control the internet. Good riddance.

I do, on the other hand, believe that Teare's comments regarding Microsofts' reasoning for closing them down to be true.... control & monopoly of the internet.

 

[Nic]

good bye realscam, i mean realnames forever.
oh and Realname if you ever get to read this forum and particularly this thead....
i want to tell you something from the bottom of my heart......
thanks for revoking all my keywords and i am so happy for sweet justice knocking on your door.
oh and...
{snipped-profanity}

 

[krisblade]

 

[krisblade]

I luv that "Realscam" part...

 

[mole]

Hey, isn't Microsoft going to by over the thingy???

Do I get a refund?

 

New.net is next

 

[mole]

Yeah, there goes the rumor mongers again

 

[devolution]

This is the email I got:
=================


Dear Keyword Customer,

Effective May 13, 2002, RealNames Corporation ceased normal business operations. As a Keyword customer you are aware that Keywords work in the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. This was enabled due to an agreement between RealNames Corporation and Microsoft that Microsoft has chosen not to renew. Keywords will continue to resolve in Internet Explorer until June 28, 2002, at which time the service will no longer be available.

RealNames has ceased normal business operations and has commenced an orderly wind down of its business. This is an unfortunate, but necessary step, given Microsoft's decision. The growth in Keyword usage clearly demonstrates that Keywords are the next generation naming system. Nonetheless, without our key distributor, it does not make sense to keep the business active in its current form.

We want to extend our thanks to you, our Keyword customer for your interest in buying Keywords which benefited your customers by providing a natural language shortcut to your website. We've appreciated the opportunity to serve you and we apologize for the impact Microsoft's decision will have on your business.
Please read through the following FAQs for answers to other questions you may have regarding your Keyword account. We have also posted these on our website at www.realnames.com.

How long will existing Keywords remain active?
Active Keywords will continue to resolve in Microsoft Internet Explorer through June 28th, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

What Services will remain active for Keyword owners?
RealNames will provide customers and resellers with the ability to modify their Keyword destination URL. No other services or support will be available.

Are Keywords still for sale?
No, new Keyword subscriptions were suspended at the end of business on May 10th.

Will RealNames provide a refund for Keyword Customers?
Keyword customers are considered creditors in the wind down process. RealNames will be sending written notification to all creditors, includin
Keyword
customers, with instructions for the submission of claims. If you wish to ensure that RealNames has a correct mailing address for you or if you have further questions regarding this procedure, please send an email to [email protected]. A pro rata distribution will be made to claimants in due course.

Who do I contact with further questions?
All employees of RealNames have been terminated. There is a wind down team in place to close the company and affect a sale of assets. Keyword customer inquiries or comments should go to [email protected].

Best Regards,

RealNames Corporation

Please do not reply to this notification, as this email address is not set up to receive emails.