December 31st is the time when domainers let loose and register domains with little thought of the consequences.
Do you own several domains that expire on December 31, 2009?
If that’s the case, ICANN will grant you an extra day to renew them – or dump them.
Every year, thousands of domains get registered on New Year’s eve, by domainers who are clearly under the influence of alcohol, or otherwise intoxicated by the imminent beginning of a new year and the promises it brings along.
The end result?
Most domains registered on December 31st each year are either gibberish or plain junk, although some are true gems. In order to give domainers an extra day of thought and analysis of their own actions, ICANN effectively extends their expiration date by one day.
“It’s awesome – I think”, said Lilly Fromhme, a native of Columbus, Ohio. “Last year I got drunk with my boyfriend at that time and we registered several combinations of our names, planning to get married. We broke up two days later. So now I know better not to register domains on New Year’s eve”, she added.
The initial measure by ICANN called for an outright ban of domain registrations on New Year’s eve.
That measure, however, was quickly turned down by the majority of the ICANN panel, after a business dinner at the New York Ritz Hotel that included vast quantities of aged wine and other quality liquor.
Domaining with a hangover isn’t easy either!
An “Are you sure?” button should be added for all registrations on Dec.31st 😀
During this time of drunken registrations GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons has taken a stance. Says Bob ‘We applaud Icann’s decision of registration extension are committed to eliminating this practice of drunken registrations. GoDaddy will make it as difficult as possible for the inebriated (or anyone for that matter) to register a domain name by adding extra check out screens and more purchase options during the holidays”
Great move Bob, I for one applaud your efforts!
Having to sift through 40k+ junk domain names dropping daily, it looks as though “under the influence of alcohol” plays a major part of domain registration on a daily basis.