Saturday, August 25, 2007
Is the CADNA a Sham? What is CADNA's REAL agenda??

From my viewpoint as a relative newcomer to Domaining it seems that Mr. Rick Schwartz is regarded a successful old-timer, founder and / or guru to domaining. I have been reading his blog for several months now and have learned a lot of great background information, useful tips and more from him already.

Last week I thought I read what amounted to some positive talk in Rick's blog about "The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse ("CADNA")" who states on their website that they are "a 501(c)(6) non-profit association dedicated to ending the systemic domain name abuses that plague the Internet today." Rick's blog was at least positive about some of the stated goals of  CADNA.

I can't find that entry by Rick now which is just as well because I think Rick may have had a case if the mental hiccups when it was written. His next blog entry titled "Is the CADNA a Sham? What is CADNA's REAL agenda??" will explain more. Looking back I see that Rick was not wanting to come out of the box with a negative attitude about an organization with which he may share some opinions. Of all people Rick certainly understands that there is a ton of misunderstanding (read stigma) about domainers and domaining. So, any effort to promote the truth is welcome.

It would be great if some impartial Washington DC-based non-profit were founded to focus upon, promote, and even lobby  congress about the truth of the domain industry. I can't say that is already happening with CADNA. When I first learned of CADNA just last month I wondered what they are really about. I wondered if they intend to educate people and to clarify the issues or if they just intend to take advantage of all the misconceptions for their own gain. I wondered if they were just trying to get well-paid jobs for a few staff. I was a bit miffed by Rick's comments when he first mentioned that organization and I feel a lot better after reading his follow-up.

It is way early to form deep opinions about CADNA given their limited record. The most important point I see is that domainers don't have to wait for any organization of unknowns to give them a valid, informed voice to the general public, corporations, or congress. Domainers need to keep on talking the truth in their blogs, at conferences, on websites, in interviews, and in their books. A lobby is not a bad idea especially one founded by domainers or a coalition of domainers and other interested parties. But, regardless of that thought, domainers have a lot of well-read outlets to utilize for defining and promoting the best practices of domaining. --Bob Ducker