Tag: Internet Governance

  • Proposal for .california TLD: Enhancing Online Presence and Security for Government Entities

    A future Department of Technology (DoT), as advocated for at www.department.technology, could significantly assist states in preparing and submitting detailed proposals to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for new Top-Level Domains (TLDs) through the following approaches:

    1. Expertise and Guidance

    The DoT could provide states with expert guidance on the technical and regulatory requirements necessary for a successful TLD application. This includes understanding ICANN’s criteria, preparing detailed justifications, and outlining the potential benefits of the new TLDs.

    2. Centralized Coordination

    By acting as a centralized coordinator, the DoT can streamline the proposal process. This involves organizing meetings, setting deadlines, and ensuring that all necessary documentation and data are collected and properly formatted.

    3. Comprehensive Research

    The DoT could conduct comprehensive research to support the proposals, including market analysis, feasibility studies, and impact assessments. This research would demonstrate the need for the new TLDs and their potential benefits for residents, businesses, and the government.

    4. Stakeholder Engagement

    Engaging with relevant stakeholders, such as local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, the DoT could gather support and input for the proposals. This collaboration would help build a strong case for the TLDs, showing broad-based demand and potential use cases.

    5. Drafting and Review

    The DoT can take the lead in drafting the proposals, ensuring that they are clear, concise, and persuasive. Additionally, the DoT could review and refine the proposals to meet ICANN’s standards and address any potential weaknesses.

    6. Technical Implementation Plans

    Including detailed technical implementation plans in the proposals, the DoT could outline how the new TLDs would be managed, secured, and maintained. This demonstrates the state’s capability to handle the technical aspects of operating a TLD.

    7. Cost-Benefit Analysis

    The DoT can prepare a thorough cost-benefit analysis, showing how the benefits of the new TLDs outweigh the costs involved in their implementation and management. This analysis would include economic, social, and technological benefits.

    8. Policy and Legal Support

    Providing policy and legal support, the DoT could ensure that the proposals comply with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes understanding the legal implications of new TLDs and addressing any potential concerns from ICANN.

    9. Advocacy and Representation

    The DoT could advocate on behalf of the states during ICANN’s evaluation process. This includes presenting the proposals, answering questions, and providing additional information as required by ICANN.

    10. Post-Approval Support

    After the approval of the new TLDs, the DoT can continue to support the states in implementing and managing the TLDs. This includes setting up necessary infrastructure, training personnel, and monitoring the TLDs’ performance.

    By leveraging its expertise and resources, a future DoT can help states effectively prepare and submit detailed proposals to ICANN, increasing the likelihood of approval and successful implementation of new TLDs.

    Sample Draft

    Here is our hypothetical sample draft to ICANN to initiate the process of registering a new domain called .california for California government related organizations and services.

    _Proposal for the .california TopLevel Domain (TLD)Download

  • Replacing .gov with our proposal for states?

    To modernize state government digital presence, we propose that each state adopt its own domain name, reflecting the state’s identity and enhancing accessibility. This approach surpasses the limitations of .gov domains and services like CDT’s DNS and GET.GOV.

    Imagine visiting www.losangeles.california or www.dallas.texas for government-related information, making URLs clear, memorable, and state-specific. This fosters a stronger connection between governments and citizens, offering boundless potential uses and benefits, from improving transparency to boosting local engagement and identity.

    More Hypothetical Examples:

    1. www.sanfrancisco.california
    2. www.austin.texas
    3. www.seattle.washington
    4. www.miami.florida
    5. www.chicago.illinois
    6. www.boston.massachusetts
    7. www.denver.colorado
    8. www.phoenix.arizona
    9. www.atlanta.georgia
    10. www.portland.oregon
    11. www.dmv.california (Department of Motor Vehicles)
    12. www.safety.texas (Department of Public Safety)
    13. www.ecology.washington (Department of Ecology)
    14. www.children.florida (Department of Children and Families)
    15. www.employment.illinois (Illinois Department of Employment Security)
    16. www.transporation.massachusetts (Massachusetts Department of Transportation)
    17. www.health.colorado (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)
    18. www.health.arizona (Arizona Department of Health Services)
    19. www.community.georgia (Georgia Department of Community Affairs)
    20. www.environment.oregon (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)

    Local School Districts

    1. www.losangelesschools.california
    2. www.newyorkschools.newyork
    3. www.chicagoschools.illinois
    4. www.houstonschools.texas
    5. www.phoenixschools.arizona
    6. www.seattleschools.washington
    7. www.miamischools.florida
    8. www.denverschools.colorado
    9. www.atlantaschools.georgia
    10. www.bostonschools.massachusetts

    Police

    1. www.sandiegopolice.california
    2. www.highwaypatrol.california
    3. www.losangelespolice.california
    4. www.newyorkpolice.newyork
    5. www.houstonpolice.texas
    6. www.phoenixpolice.arizona
    7. www.seattlepolice.washington
    8. www.miamipolice.florida
    9. www.denverpolice.colorado
    10. www.atlantapolice.georgia
    11. www.bostonpolice.massachusetts

    These URLs can help citizens easily find and access information and services provided by their local police departments, enhancing community engagement and trust.

    These URLs can help foster a stronger connection between governments and citizens by making it easier to access local information and services. There are many more technical reasons why our proposal should be adopted by states, beyond the scope of this article. However, the most important and immediate would-be domain name schematic better suited for voice assistants. Imagine asking Amazon Siri, Alexa, or Google Home for relevant, accurate, and reliable answers to your questions.

    Let’s get started!

    State governments can apply for state-specific top-level domains (TLDs) like .california through ICANN. Our DoT initiative enhances digital presence, fosters government-citizen connections, and improves transparency.

    Here is the process below that involves proposal submission, ICANN evaluation, and implementation by a future Department of Technology (DoT).

    Who

    State governments would apply for their own domain names through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

    What

    States would propose the creation of new top-level domains (TLDs) specific to their state, such as .california, .florida, or .texas.

    When

    States can begin the process as soon as they have prepared their proposals and justified the need for these new TLDs.

    Where

    Applications would be submitted to ICANN, which manages domain names globally.

    Why

    This initiative would enhance the digital presence of state governments, making URLs more accessible and state-specific. It would also foster a stronger connection between governments and citizens, improving transparency and local engagement.

    How

    1. Submitting Proposals: States need to prepare and submit detailed proposals to ICANN, justifying the need and outlining the benefits of the new TLDs.
    2. ICANN’s Evaluation: ICANN will evaluate the applications based on technical, financial, and administrative criteria.
    3. Implementation: Once approved, the new domains would be implemented, facilitated by a future Department of Technology (DoT) as envisioned at www.department.technology, ensuring a swift and efficient process.

    Case Study of California .gov

    Are you frustrated by the confusing, haphazard, and disorganized Internet naming of various government services and organizations in California?

    Join us in advocating for a more organized and user-friendly digital presence for California’s government services. Support the establishment of a Department of Technology and help create a future where accessing government information is simple and stress-free.

    Below are examples, as of summer 2024, of the confusing Internet naming of various local, county, state, and other government services, organizations, and tribal entities in California. While some domain names are practical and logical, many are not and therefore are confusing.

    Government Email Directory

    This page originally contained a large embedded spreadsheet of .gov email addresses. The full data set is available as a separate resource.

    Request the Data →