Internet set for domain name changes by Kelly Olsen, AP via Globe and Mail (Oct 26)
ICANN, the organization that controls the top level domain names in use on the Internet (country domains, .com, .org etc) is considering allowing non-Latin script in order to accomodate scripts such as Cyrillic, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese (there are 17 scripts in total).
"Of the 1.6 billion Internet users worldwide, Mr. Beckstrom — a former chief of U.S. cyber security — said that more than half use languages that have scripts based on alphabets other than Latin. “So this change is very much necessary for not only half the world's Internet users today, but more than half of probably the future users as the use of the Internet continues to spread,” he said."
WSJ has a blog entry - Sparks Fly at Icann Meeting in Seoul (Oct 29) - that reported on the meeting.
It is expected that the 17 scripts will be allowed for country codes where assignment is run by the country governments. But "For now, the 21 so-called generic domains — like .com, .edu, .gov, .net and .org — will remain accessible by Roman letters only."
"Icann is aiming to allow the country-code domains to use other alphabets as soon as next month, though countries will likely take several months to decide on their own rules. It is likely to allow the generic domains to start using other alphabets in 2011, though a precise date hasn’t been set."
Postscript: Hebrew, Hindi, other scripts get Web address nod , Kelly Olsen, AP via Globe and Mail (Oct 30)
More on the ICANN decision to allow non-Latin scripts in country domain names.
"The decision clears the way for governments or their designees to submit requests for specific names, likely beginning Nov. 16. Internet users could start seeing them in use early next year, particularly in Arabic, Chinese and other scripts in which demand has been among the highest, ICANN officials say. "
But non-Latin versions of .com and other generic top-level domains are on hold while ICANN examines policy implications.
One point to note: "Although the move will reflect linguistic and cultural diversity, Mr. Guo said, “for some users it might even be easier to type domains in Latin alphabets than Chinese characters.” "
What will people do with Latin alphabet keyboards who want to access a website in the new domain?
Posted by Gwen at October 29, 2009 12:32 PM