Potential new dac hosting and dropcatch service.

[armistice]

HI,

I am considering launching a new dac hosting service in February and would like feedback from anyone interested in order to a) gain an understanding as to the level of demand for such services and b) understand the services people want in detail.

I have the core elements in place, fast flexible software coupled with servers <2ms from nominet. I have some unique software features beyond those of current solutions out there.

I'm trying to get an understanding of what the level of demand may be, I'm considering the following options (nominet membership + dac subscription required):

1. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Monthly subscription
2. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Lower basic Monthly subscription, plus daily charge when domains booked. (for less active drop catchers)
3. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Lower basic Monthly subscription, plus charge when domains caught.
4. A 'domainlore' style arrangement.

I would welcome any feedback or alternative service ideas.

If you would (potentially) be interested in services, please PM me so I can gauge demand.

thank you

 

[newguy]

I recently started using the dacr service, but obviously that isn't quite the same as this kind of hosted arrangement. Are there many good hosted solutions out there like this (i know of dropsystem), and is the chance of catching good names basically as good as it gets (though of course i appreciate that with so many people after the same names, it can still be a needle in the haystack situation, if you chase the top names)?

As for your options, I like the look of 1 and 3. I'm nt keen on the idea of a booking charge. That's just me though. In any case, I am interested.

 

[foz]

I would choose 1. It's also important for me that the provider doesn't catch themselves.

 

[Skinner]

Foz, I don't get why its important on a Dac host that the provider doesn't catch ? On a public catcher like caught/dropsys, I can see the logic but with your own tag/dac why shouldn't the provider ?

Do you have any examples of names you have caught using your system ?

 

[davedevelopment]

Foz, I don't get why its important on a Dac host that the provider doesn't catch ? On a public catcher like caught/dropsys, I can see the logic but with your own tag/dac why shouldn't the provider ?

Do you have any examples of names you have caught using your system ?

I assume because the provider will have access to their users lists?

 

[Edwin]

I assume because the provider will have access to their users lists?

Yes, that's been a bit of a sticking point in the past with some of the catchers. No matter how well you put a list together, it won't have 100% of drops that day on it (unless somebody inside Nominet is feeding the info, which I believe DOESN'T happen) since it's like trying to peer into a black box. So the people who maintain their own drop lists - separate from any of the publicly downloadable ones - may have an edge. And that edge potentially goes away if you then hand over the list to a catcher who also catches for themselves.

For example, I have over 100,000 keyphrases compiled by going niche-by-niche through thousands of niches and extracting all the top keywords via Google keyword tool and other places. I add to the lists all the time, but it's taken 4 years to get to this point. Quite often, I can book a name with all the catchers I use even a couple of days before it drops, simply because it's "under the radar" and not on any of the public lists. Doesn't mean I'll get it, but it certainly boosts the chances!

 

[foz]

Foz, I don't get why its important on a Dac host that the provider doesn't catch ? On a public catcher like caught/dropsys, I can see the logic but with your own tag/dac why shouldn't the provider ?

Just in case the provider is "listening in" to what I'm polling, generate their own register request from their own TAG, display a fake message in my interface that a request was made and failed.

 

[DaveH]

Any legitimate hosted solution would show the raw logs which include the STRvID id which if necessary can be verified via Nominet. I personally don't see a problem.

 

[foz]

It wouldn't even have to be a fake message, it could be deliberately delayed. So raw logs would ring true.

If the provider had several clients (and most of those clients would poll the cherries e.g. lll's) It would certainly give the providers TAG more chance of pinpointing when to send their Register request (over and above their allotted 432,000 real time queries).

 

[armistice]

I can fully understand these concerns and my proposed system is completely isolated for each customer and provides full logging. The concerns mentioned are possible on all hosted solutions including catchers, in fact even if you code and run your own system its possible the dac messages could be intercepted.

I think that it would become obvious pretty quickly, if a provider was defrauding its customers in this way. Its clearly against Nominet rules and could be traced easily by them.

For the finding of names dropping problem, while I personally would guarantee that the names listed are safe in each isolated environment, I can see that this is possible and is the case with any solution.
Until nominet release the definitive droplist ( any update on this, I know they were discussing this last year), I know of no solution other than to trust your provider.

 

[aZooZa]

There is a solution. A client can always telnet to the DAC and check realtime usage. I.e. if your names for the day have dropped and your quota's still going down, then maybe it's time to ask your provider why.

 

[armistice]

There is a solution. A client can always telnet to the DAC and check realtime usage. I.e. if your names for the day have dropped and your quota's still going down, then maybe it's time to ask your provider why.

Don't think that actually addresses the concerns raised, i.e. the provider listening in to the queries rather than using the dac quota directly.

 

[buttontop]

For example, I have over 100,000 keyphrases compiled by going niche-by-niche through thousands of niches and extracting all the top keywords via Google keyword tool and other places. I add to the lists all the time, but it's taken 4 years to get to this point. Quite often, I can book a name with all the catchers I use even a couple of days before it drops, simply because it's "under the radar" and not on any of the public lists. Doesn't mean I'll get it, but it certainly boosts the chances!

i think what edwin has done is alot better than a whole list of the days drops. by creating your own list of domains you can see what ones YOU WANT that are dropping not randomletters.co.uk. you could run your searching scrips over a domain list but edwins list of 100,000+ domains that he has an eye on he knows that theres 95% chance that if it becomes free he will go with it because it only has the names that intrest him.

Sorry i know this comment isnt along the lines of the start post.

 

[Edwin]

i think what edwin has done is alot better than a whole list of the days drops. by creating your own list of domains you can see what ones YOU WANT that are dropping not randomletters.co.uk. you could run your searching scrips over a domain list but edwins list of 100,000+ domains that he has an eye on he knows that theres 95% chance that if it becomes free he will go with it because it only has the names that intrest him.

Thanks for that. And yes, that's the point - if it's on my list I either definitely want it or it at least merits the time for me to analyse the name again and make a definitive decision.

There's a lot more that's "on the cutting-room floor" than ever made it onto my list, since every addition is made with an eye on the keyword research tools etc. and the bland stuff doesn't make the cut.

 

[zaclondon]

1. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Monthly subscription
2. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Lower basic Monthly subscription, plus daily charge when domains booked. (for less active drop catchers)
3. Fully hosted DAC / EPP solutions, web interface management, Lower basic Monthly subscription, plus charge when domains caught.
4. A 'domainlore' style arrangement.

Like newguy, I like options 1 and 3.

I'm interested. Any ideas of cost yet?

PM sent.