On Wed, 22 Nov 2000, Deus Ex Machina wrote:

> its use as a directory is arbitrary, people use sql normalised databases

No. It's use as a directory is completely stupid. 

You don't dial numbers at random into a telephone, *even though* you know
that the first 6 digits are probably right. Why would you do the same with
DNS ?

> focus should not be on the technical tidyness of concepts but on the utility 
> to the end user. be that shoveling objects into relational

Correct. That's what search engines/indexes/LDAP is designed for. DNS
(as it is right now) isn't. 

> databases or expecting book.com to find a bookshop. directory efficiency
> of dns is is no excuse to prevent generic names. or its use to some

The reason that 'generic' names are prevented is not because of efficiency
- it's a completely arbitrary prevention that has been in force for
awhile. 

> enterprising individual who may want to sell subdomains on generic tlds. good
> luck to them if they think it will sell. its not the business of the dns to
> get in the way. works for .au.com.

Yes, it works for them (in the sense that they get to make money, and
that's what they're there for). Whether it works for the individual, who
registers 'blah.au.com' OR for the punter, who (inanely) looks for
'blah.au.com' is another matter.

A 'whole other can of worms' is opened when you do this.

Regards,

Saliya