Nominet Board Election

[Whois-Search]

Nothing like voting your competitors into a position where they may acquire inside knowledge as to tech systems and current issues with how those are used/abused - or advance knowledge of proposed system changes.

Hazel

That's a bit harsh.....

Just because we are "domainers" doesn't mean we want to be on the board to gain an advantage. I just want Nominet to have a "domainers" view of things.

Nominet is (I hope) open/transparent and everything works the same for every user. Even the DAC works the same on the outside as it does on the inside.

As for advanced warnings thats what nom-announce is for ....... so everyone who reads it gets to know at the same time before its implemented.

I could ask why do the long term PAB members have domains like:

hazel.me.uk
gordon.me.uk
conaghan.me.uk
alex.org.uk

Maybe you got to know when .me.uk etc was coming out and registered them first? .... or maybe you bought them privately ?..... but all I think is fair play to you.

 

[Jac]

That's a bit harsh.....

Hey Andrew... you're in the political arena now mate, get used to innuendo; there'll be enough of it thrown against you if you are successful and actually get on the board.

Just because we are "domainers" doesn't mean we want to be on the board to gain an advantage. I just want Nominet to have a "domainers" view of things.

We've already had this conversation in a private exchange and I made some of the same comments I made to you to Angus Hanton on nom-steer yesterday. None of us has any way of really knowing what is the heart of someone else, though to be fair; I trust your motives are what you say they are. What I do know is that being a director these days demands increased responsibilities and liabilities. So taking a directorship these days (and I mean any directorship) is not a thing to be taken lightly.

I could ask why do the long term PAB members have domains like:

hazel.me.uk
gordon.me.uk
conaghan.me.uk
alex.org.uk

Maybe you got to know when .me.uk etc was coming out and registered them first? .... or maybe you bought them privately ?..... but all I think is fair play to you.

Dearie me! What is this? Tit for tat? And from a prospective board member too? For the record, mine was registered long after .me.uk was launched. I don't know when the others were registered but it's another non-issue Andrew and not worthy of either of us!

Regards
James Conaghan

 

[Whois-Search]

Hey Andrew... you're in the political arena now mate, get used to innuendo; there'll be enough of it thrown against you if you are successful and actually get on the board.

I expect it and I am already used to it..... I can still say something is rather harsh.

We've already had this conversation in a private exchange and I made some of the same comments I made to you to Angus Hanton on nom-steer yesterday. None of us has any way of really knowing what is the heart of someone else, though to be fair; I trust your motives are what you say they are. What I do know is that being a director these days demands increased responsibilities and liabilities. So taking a directorship these days (and I mean any directorship) is not a thing to be taken lightly.

I understand 100% what a directorship means and what I could get in to.
But a Non-executive director has different roles as you know.

Dearie me! What is this? Tit for tat? And from a prospective board member too? For the record, mine was registered long after .me.uk was launched. I don't know when the others were registered but it's another non-issue Andrew and not worthy of either of us!

No just a rather sarcastic example of how the PAB might be perceived to abuse their role as non-domainers. Just like Angus and I have the label "domainer" when the only thing we have in common is we have registered a lot of domain names.

 

[retired_member11]

How do you find the time to devote yourself to your very important PAB duties?

Acorn is a full time position.

 

[Jac]

How do you find the time to devote yourself to your very important PAB duties?

Acorn is a full time position.

If that's a serious question and not just a gibe, I'll answer seriously.

Part of the duties of a PAB member as suggested in the draft PAB Governance document is that they interact and communicate with all stakeholders so that all stakeholder viewpoints can be understood. Other duties may include attending Member lunches and other Nominet and Stakeholder events; and perhaps even interaction on an international level.

As for how I 'find' the time to devote myself to all of this, I don't. I steal time from other important duties like making a life for myself.

Needs must.

Regards
James Conaghan

 

[Jac]

I expect it and I am already used to it..... I can still say something is rather harsh.

I don't think it was harsh... I think it was tongue in cheek... but each to his own interpretation.

I understand 100% what a directorship means and what I could get in to.
But a Non-executive director has different roles as you know.

I think you need to give Bob Gilbert a call. He was/is a company law specialist and IIRC advised on the Higgs Report. He may well tell you how non-execs are treated very much the same as directors in terms of the law. I'm sure Lesley Cowley will give you his telephone number if you ask. (And I'm being serious. In practical terms, there is very little distinction these days between executive and non-executive. They can both been held liable.)

No just a rather sarcastic example of how the PAB might be perceived to abuse their role as non-domainers.

Uh? The PAB are 16 people, 8 appointed and 8 elected. The elected ones are elected by the Nominet Membership on their election statements which are diverse. Where on earth does non-domaining come into the equation and what on earth does "abuse" of their role mean and who perceives it? The PAB exists to represent all stakeholder views not just domainers or government or Nominet members or any other specific stakeholder group, and it often gets heated around that table when the Advisory Board is trying to thrash out policy recommendations that will be acceptable to the majority. So perceived or not, there is no abuse!

Regards
James Conaghan

 

[retired_member11]

I don't think it was harsh... I think it was tongue in cheek... but each to his own interpretation.



I think you need to give Bob Gilbert a call. He was/is a company law specialist and IIRC advised on the Higgs Report. He may well tell you how non-execs are treated very much the same as directors in terms of the law. I'm sure Lesley Cowley will give you his telephone number if you ask. (And I'm being serious. In practical terms, there is very little distinction these days between executive and non-executive. They can both been held liable.)



Uh? The PAB are 16 people, 8 appointed and 8 elected. The elected ones are elected by the Nominet Membership on their election statements which are diverse. Where on earth does non-domaining come into the equation and what on earth does "abuse" of their role mean and who perceives it? The PAB exists to represent all stakeholder views not just domainers or government or Nominet members or any other specific stakeholder group, and it often gets heated around that table when the Advisory Board is trying to thrash out policy recommendations that will be acceptable to the majority. So perceived or not, there is no abuse!

Regards
James Conaghan

I haven't stolen the time from my real life to look at this point, but why is it a 50/50 split between appointed and elected pab people? A very small number are involved in making the appointments while a comparatively very large group are involved in electing. It seems odd.

 

[Whois-Search]

I think you need to give Bob Gilbert a call. He was/is a company law specialist and IIRC advised on the Higgs Report. He may well tell you how non-execs are treated very much the same as directors in terms of the law. I'm sure Lesley Cowley will give you his telephone number if you ask. (And I'm being serious. In practical terms, there is very little distinction these days between executive and non-executive. They can both been held liable.)

Thanks for your concern Jac and I mean that seriously.

However what is the worse that can happen even if I did get elected ........ banned as a director and sued until I was bankrupt ? which would last about 5 years ?

I believe when Nominet has so close ties to the government that the government would always bail Nominet out - whatever happens.

I can't see them letting sites like Website of the UK government : Directgov go down. Their websites are of national importance and security.

Uh? The PAB are 16 people, 8 appointed and 8 elected. The elected ones are elected by the Nominet Membership on their election statements which are diverse. Where on earth does non-domaining come into the equation and what on earth does "abuse" of their role mean and who perceives it? The PAB exists to represent all stakeholder views not just domainers or government or Nominet members or any other specific stakeholder group, and it often gets heated around that table when the Advisory Board is trying to thrash out policy recommendations that will be acceptable to the majority. So perceived or not, there is no abuse!

I was just having a "tongue in cheek" reply back.

 

[Jac]

I haven't stolen the time from my real life to look at this point,

Very droll...

but why is it a 50/50 split between appointed and elected pab people? A very small number are involved in making the appointments while a comparatively very large group are involved in electing. It seems odd.

A bit of history. The PAB was created by Nominet to be a bridge between its stakeholders and the board and as a communications channel. It is Nominet's job to listen to all stakeholder groups and government, industry, and civil society, all make up the collective stakeholder communities. Personally I think it is right - in a democracy - that government and its agencies are represented at Policy Advisory level, and that industry is too (like the Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Trademark Attorneys).

If I remember correctly, you are a Nominet member? If you are attending the AGM at the end of the month, I would be happy to arrange a meeting between some of the PAB and yourself and whatever other Nominet Members wish to attend. We could do this the night before or immediately after lunch on the day of the AGM. Alternatively, we could arrange something like this in Oxford if enough Members feel they want it. I am suggesting it because I believe it may clarify some of the doubts people on this forum have about the PAB's agenda or responsibility. Contrary to one of the more vociferous critics, there is no secrecy or hidden agenda. The PAB exists to serve the wider stakeholder communities.

Regards
James Conaghan

 

[Jac]

Thanks for your concern Jac and I mean that seriously.

Alas, the written word is often misinterpreted because one cannot see the other person's eyes; and you can tell a lot from looking in someone's eyes. So I hope you mean what you say because I meant what I said. IE: I was not being facetious or patronising, I just feel that people tend to misunderstand the legal obligations of both non-execs and execs and one should always know what they are getting into.

I believe when Nominet has so close ties to the government that the government would always bail Nominet out - whatever happens.

I can't see them letting sites like Website of the UK government : Directgov go down. Their websites are of national importance and security.

Just a small point, Nominet doesn't administer .gov.uk domains, that's done here. Other than that I take your point.

Nominet has close ties with Government because Nominet is the UK Registry and (in my opinion) has a responsibility not just to ordinary stakeholders, but to those who govern those stakeholders. For instance, Nominet represents the UK at the UN's Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and I think it would be highly unusual to participate in the international community at this level without first consulting with and finding out how your own government felt about the issues.

I was just having a "tongue in cheek" reply back.

I was just seeking clarification guv! See my comments about the written word above.

Best wishes
James Conaghan

 

[sneezycheese]

"A bit of history. The PAB was created by Nominet to be a bridge between its stakeholders and the board and as a communications channel."

"Contrary to one of the more vociferous critics, there is no secrecy or hidden agenda. The PAB exists to serve the wider stakeholder communities."

...That critic would be you then Jac:

"The PAB was created by the then Nominet board to basically appease government and government agencies who were starting to ask sensitive questions"

...

Nominet has close ties with Government because Nominet is the UK Registry and (in my opinion) has a responsibility not just to ordinary stakeholders, but to those who govern those stakeholders.

...Nothing to do with this then:

However, in my opinion, Willie Black (then Chair) always knew Nominet would have to be seen to be open and transparent or risk government interference and even regulation. Frankly, I am personally not against regulation, I believe Raising Industry Standards should start with the registry itself (and I have told them so in a paper to the board) but Nominet probably see it as a danger to their corporate rights.

...they're not so "open and transparent" now though are they?


By the way Andrew:

GOOD LUCK WITH THE VOTE - I HOPE YOU GET IN!!!

Nominet Members:

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR ANDREW!!!

 

[Whois-Search]

lol thanks for that sneezy

 

[retired member 1]

...Malaysia?

Yes, Malaysia....and i'm still bloody domain hunting

 

[Hazel Pegg]

I could ask why do the long term PAB members have domains like:

hazel.me.uk
gordon.me.uk
conaghan.me.uk
alex.org.uk

Maybe you got to know when .me.uk etc was coming out and registered them first? .... or maybe you bought them privately ?.....

For Information:

hazel.me.uk was registered by myself on the day that .me.uk went live -14/01/02. It was not registered using any sophisticated software. It was registered manually several hours after registrations began to be accepted.

I was first elected to the PAB in March 2003.

I got to know that .me.uk was coming out via nom-steer. I believe it was also announced in several other places.

So no inside information giving me an unfair advantage. Just my good luck that no-one else appeared to want hazel.me.uk.

Hazel

 

[richard]

Personally, I find .me.uk to be the most useless domain tld ever, but that wasn't the point you were trying to get at

 

[Whois-Search]

For Information:

hazel.me.uk was registered by myself on the day that .me.uk went live -14/01/02. It was not registered using any sophisticated software. It was registered manually several hours after registrations began to be accepted.

I was first elected to the PAB in March 2003.

I got to know that .me.uk was coming out via nom-steer. I believe it was also announced in several other places.

So no inside information giving me an unfair advantage. Just my good luck that no-one else appeared to want hazel.me.uk.

Hazel

Therefore you had the same chance as everyone else. Just like a "domainer" would have if she/he got elected to the board.

 

[Whois-Search]

Personally, I find .me.uk to be the most useless domain tld ever, but that wasn't the point you were trying to get at

Richard I see Gordon Dick says in his election statement: "I am interested in exploring the feasibility of encouraging growth in the personal registrations market making ".me.uk" as essential a piece of lifestyle infrastructure as a phone number is today."

http://www.nominet.org.uk/digitalAssets/9115_Director_Election_Statements_2006.pdf

 

[richard]

Richard I see Gordon Dick says in his election statement: "I am interested in exploring the feasibility of encouraging growth in the personal registrations market making ".me.uk" as essential a piece of lifestyle infrastructure as a phone number is today."

http://www.nominet.org.uk/digitalAssets/9115_Director_Election_Statements_2006.pdf

And perhaps it will eventually, but until then I still see no point to it. Maybe it just that I don't browse "personal" sites all that often. Or maybe that I haven't been educated enough in its concept

 

[olebean]

And perhaps it will eventually, but until then I still see no point to it. Maybe it just that I don't browse "personal" sites all that often. Or maybe that I haven't been educated enough in its concept

Richard

.me.uk seems a cheesy attempt at making personal websites cool

The problem is to the average joe, it wouldnt be practical to pay to have the site hosted and then have the technical knowledge to do anything with it..

myspace anyone?

 

[gordon]

.me.uk seems a cheesy attempt at making personal websites cool

The problem is to the average joe, it wouldnt be practical to pay to have the site hosted and then have the technical knowledge to do anything with it..

I wasn't primarily interested in the web site related market, more the email market where there is a stronger benefit to the end user, just like number portability on your mobile phone or land line...

Gordon