Top level domains (TLDs) like .com, .org, .edu, and .gov are crucial markers in our online world, but there are not enough of them to distinguish the various ways in which we interact on the web. One of the clearest, most pressing requirements is for TLDs that serve the needs of cities. To that end, in April 2007, the not-for-profit Connecting.nyc Inc. was created to prepare an Internet space for New York City's networked future through advocacy, research, and education.
 

Step one is to acquire the .nyc TLD. That opportunity should arise within the next year with the path detailed in our Acquisition Campaign. It’s a difficult but doable task.

 

The far more challenging task is to develop .nyc as an organizing force to empower New York City's residents, institutions, and businesses to better connect with one another and the world. This becomes ever more important as other cities (.berlin and .paris) acquire TLDs, with the city’s growing invisibility in an Internet dominated by the .com TLD, and with our “findability” increasingly dependent on the interests of search engine operators. To be the master of its future, New York City needs its own space on the Internet.

 

Over the past year we’ve developed several resources to support our acquisition and development campaigns. I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Michael Gurstein on a white paper illuminating the public interest benefits of city-TLDs, and our community wiki and blog provide New Yorkers with the opportunity to connect with our effort and help shape their city's future. Links here connect to several of the wiki's pages.

 

With the .nyc TLD a vital civic resource, we urge public participation in our planning processes and invite you to explore and add your thoughts to the wiki. Key wiki pages include those for our Governance, Community and Justice Goals, and a FAQ.

 

You can help in several other ways: make a financial or equipment contribution (we need a projector yesterday!), or by emailing your ideas, questions, and suggestions to me. This Sunday (March 2) you can join us in imagining New York City's Internet space at the Grassroots Media Conference at Hunter College. I’ll be making a presentation entitled “A Platform for Community Media.”

 

[NOTE: Connecting.nyc Inc. is a New York State not-for-profit corporation that is registered with the New York State Charities Bureau and has submitted application for the IRS's 501(c)(3) tax exemption approval.]

 

Thank you for your attention.

 

Tom Lowenhaupt

 

 

Tom Lowenhaupt, Founder and Acting Director

Connecting.nyc Inc

Web  --  Wiki  --  Blog

Box 1027, Jackson Hts., NYC 

TomL@communisphere.com

718 639 4222

 

ABOUT THIS MAILING. This is the kickoff mailing for the .nyc Campaign. I’m sending this message to the 1,546 people in my Outlook Express address book, people I’ve contacted on this and other matters over the past 14 years. Many of these names are now unfamiliar to me and I’m certain some recipients will be scratching their heads wondering who I am and what possible relationship or interest they have in a .nyc TLD. To those people I send my apology and commitment to remove your name from future .nyc mailings. Or let me know if I should remove you from my address book, period. REMOVE ME.

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