In 2016, its estimated that almost half of the worlds population will be online, yet <http://www.verisigninc.com/assets/domain-name-brief-march2012.pdf> nearly 50 percent of the websites we visit are found in the .com <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-level_domain> top-level domain(TLD), which was among the first TLDs created in 1984. Despite the great opportunities the web has enabled for people around the world, there is still a lingering question about the diversity of the domain space (given that the number of generic TLDs has only increased by 14 in the last 28 years). In 2008, ICANN announced a program to expand the number of generic TLDs (think .com, .org, .edu), developed through its bottom-up, multi-stakeholder process, in which we participate. Given this expansion process, we decided to submit applications for new TLDs, which generally fall into four categories: · Our trademarks, like .google · Domains related to our core business, like .docs · Domains that will improve user experience, such as .youtube, which can increase the ease with which YouTube channels and genres can be identified · Domains we think have interesting and creative potential, such as .lol We want to make the introduction of new generic TLDs a good experience for web users and site owners. So we will: · Make security and abuse prevention a high priority · Work with all ICANN-accredited registrars · Work with brand owners to develop sensible rights protection mechanisms that build upon ICANNs requirements Were just beginning to explore this potential source of innovation on the web, and we are curious to see how these proposed new TLDs will fare in the existing TLD environment. By opening up more choices for Internet domain names, we hope people will find options for more diverseand perhaps shortersignposts in cyberspace. Posted by Vint Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist <http://googleblog.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/expanding-internet-domain-space.h tml> http://googleblog.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/expanding-internet-domain-space.ht ml Chris Chaplow Managing Director Andalucia.com S.L. Avenida del Carmen 9 Ed. Puertosol, Puerto Deportivo 1ª Planta, Oficina 30 Estepona, 29680 Malaga, Spain Tel: + (34) 952 897 865 Fax: + (34) 952 897 874 E-mail: <mailto:chris@andalucia.com> chris@andalucia.com Web: <http://www.andalucia.com/> www.andalucia.com Information about Andalucia, Spain.