Starting in early 2009, almost any word will be able to replace “.com” in a Web page address. That opens the door for addresses such as www.restaurants.sanfrancisco or www.books.amazon.
The news is likely to spark a scramble for desirable addresses, called top-level domains. It could force businesses to register thousands of domains to protect their brands. And it could make some Web pages easier — and some harder — to find.
“It is an amazing development,” says Tom Lowenhaupt, who heads Connecting.nyc, a New York City community group pushing for a “.nyc” domain.
The Restrictions
Details are still in the works. But ICANN says that registrants applying for a top-level domain must prove that they have the ability to manage the sizable technical task of running it, or have hired someone who does.
They’ll also have to pay up. Fees haven’t been set but could start around $100,000. Popular domains could be auctioned, Twomey says.
Not all words qualify. An application can be thrown out if it conflicts with a trademark (”.pepsi”), is too similar to an existing domain (”.kom”), is a geopolitical term claimed by a government or other group (”.china”), or is a threat to morality or public order.
[from USAToday]
Here’s what i think,
The Pros: Unique top level domain names for big cities, like .nyc( New York Cities) and such. A micro movement in the vast internet world which currently indexed by countries like .sg or .us.
The Cons: Too many top level domain makes the internet messy and unorganised. It might allow some creation of irrelevant top level domains which make searching the internet a more difficult process.
