• Operating Environment

  last modified September 30 by tomlowenhaupt

­Connecting.nyc Inc. will administer programs and explore new opportunities for making the Internet a resource for all New Yorkers. Our Baseline Programs and the resources and processes that enable and support them are presented here.
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Making Things Work

big-machine.jpg

(Commons photo courtesy of jurvetson.) 

The Zone File's Technical Side

On the Internet, a zone file is a database element of the domain name system (DNS) that defines mappings between domain names and IP addresses and can also contain reverse mappings which can resolve IP addresses into domain names. The format of the zone file is defined in RFC 1035 as well as the documentation for BIND.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Baseline Programs

The following are the initial programs to be operated by Connecting.nyc Inc. We will evaluate other programs within our Development Environment and with technical and financial justification, will include them as Operating Programs.

Domain Name Allocation Plan

Central to the success of the .nyc TLD is the equitable allocation of domain names. The Domain Name Allocation Plan (DNAP) will provide the basis for the initial allocation criteria and guidance on the ongoing distribution of names. See and contribute to the Domain Name Allocation Plan development page.

Registry Operation

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An Internet "Registry" is the authoritative, master database of all domain names registered in a Top Level Domain like .com, .org, and with the ICANN's approval, .nyc. The registry operator keeps the master database and also generates the "zone file" which allows computers to route Internet traffic to and from top-level domains anywhere in the world. Typically, Internet users don't interact directly with the registry operator but register names using an ICANN accredited registrar. (Suggestion: Insert graphic depicting registry, registrar, registrant - AKA the user - relationship.)

Registrars

Domain names ending with .aero, .biz, .com, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .net, .org, and .pro can be registered through many different companies (known as "registrars") that compete with one another. See a directory of accredited registrars. The registrar collects various contact and technical information as part of the registration process. In typical operation, the registrar keeps the contact information and submits the technical information to the registry operator. This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you email or find your website. We will organize various channels that will allow prospective domain name owners to learn about the .nyc TLD and connect with qualified registrars.

The Portals

Locating a desired piece of information on the Internet can be difficult. Today giant companies like Google play a role in filling this need. One of Connecting.nyc Inc.'s goals is to help connect Internet users with the city's digital resources. In envisioning our data architecture we see a tri-navigation approach to locating a .nyc resource: intuition, a series of guides, and search. See the portals page for more on this.

Education & Training

While many of our higher goals are dependent upon revenue from active operation of the .nyc TLD, as a not-for-profit education organization we see it as incumbent that we invest some of our current resources into that realm. Our initial effort centers around The Civics Project.

Future Programs

See The Development Environment for activities under consideration for inclusion in our baseline programs.

Governance

Central to our success is creating an appropriate corporate governance structure. Our Board of Directors will provide the insight and expertise needed to guide the organization. If you would like to apply for a seat on the board, recommend someone for the board, or help select a governance structure, see the Governance page.

Management and Staff

Connecting.nyc Inc. was incorporated in April 2007. Its start-up has been supported by many volunteers. It is expected that 2008 will see the hiring of a full time director. See Management and Staff for information about the founders, directors, staff, and outside expertise that has guided our operation.

Organization Identity

dotNYC logo3­

Logo - This is a second draft logo. It symbolizes the connection between the city's street grid, which organized and made our real estate resources accessible, and the .nyc TLD, which will do the same for our digital resources.

About This Wiki

This wiki was initiated as follow-up to the 2001 resolution by Queens Community Board 3 calling for the acquisition of the .nyc TLD. Its initiator, Thomas Lowenhaupt, had his first public involvement with the Internet via comments filed with the Department of Commerce in 1997 advocating set-asides for entities not then engaged with the Internet. Four years later it became apparent that one group without an Internet space was New York City.

In June 2006, with the window of opportunity to acquire .nyc arising, Mr. Lowenhaupt initiated various activities, including this wiki, to support the TLD's acquisition. He invites fellow New Yorkers and Internet users worldwide who seek the development of a more intuitive, community-serving, based, and oriented Internet, to contribute to the .nyc acquisition campaign.

To Do

  • Registry Operation Plan
  • Domain Name Management Plan
  • Directory Oversight Plan
  • Administration

Key .nyc Pages