Changes

==Alternative Root Projects==

==Alternative Root Projects==

Alternative Root Servers have been in existence since 1995 when several groups of Internet users found out that they didn’t have choices other than [[.com]], [[.org]]], and so on. Historically, altroots could be divided into two groups: those run for idealistic or ideological reasons and those run as profit-making enterprises. The latest wave of altroots can be differentiated based on the technology on which they rely: blockchain. A blockchain domain name system is a decentralized directory for registering, managing, and resolving domain names. It can operate as a browser extension or stand-alone software. The nodes are equal in power and authority; all owners must contribute or delegate their votes to specific nodes to make decisions or changes to the blockchain DNS.<ref>[https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-blockchain-dns-software/#What_Is_Blockchain_DNS Top 13 BEST Blockchain DNS Software, Software Testing Help, November 29, 2021]</ref>  

Alternative Root Servers have been in existence since 1995 when several groups of Internet users found out that they didn’t have choices other than [[.com]], [[.org]]], and so on. Historically, altroots could be divided into two groups: those run for idealistic or ideological reasons and those run as profit-making enterprises. The latest wave of altroots can be differentiated based on the technology on which they rely: blockchain. A blockchain domain name system is a decentralized directory for registering, managing, and resolving domain names. It can operate as a browser extension or stand-alone software. The nodes are equal in power and authority; all owners must contribute or delegate their votes to specific nodes to make decisions or changes to the blockchain DNS.<ref>[https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-blockchain-dns-software/#What_Is_Blockchain_DNS Top 13 BEST Blockchain DNS Software, Software Testing Help, November 29, 2021]</ref>  

* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970125144823/http://www.alternic.net/TLDS.html AlterNIC] (aka ANIC): a domain name registry created by [[Eugene Kashpureff]] and [[Diane Boling]] that relied on an alternative DNS root with the aim of challenging the monopoly of [https://www.internic.net/ InterNIC] that operated from 1995 to 1997.<ref>[https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/alternic-founder-arrested/ AlterNIC Founder Arrested, CNet]</ref>

* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970125144823/http://www.alternic.net/TLDS.html AlterNIC] (aka ANIC): a domain name registry created by [[Eugene Kashpureff]] and [[Diane Boling]] that relied on an alternative DNS root with the aim of challenging the monopoly of [https://www.internic.net/ InterNIC] that operated from 1995 to 1997.<ref>[https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/alternic-founder-arrested/ AlterNIC Founder Arrested, CNet]</ref>

* BORN (aka Business Oriented Root Network)<ref>[https://forum.icann.org/newtldagmts/3BF3D0C000001782.html Root Support, Forum, ICANN]</ref>

* BORN (aka Business Oriented Root Network)<ref>[https://forum.icann.org/newtldagmts/3BF3D0C000001782.html Root Support, Forum, ICANN]</ref>

* CINICS (aka Common Interest Network Information Center Society)<ref>[https://forum.icann.org/newtldagmts/3BF3D0C000001782.html Root Support, Forum, ICANN]</ref>  

* CINICS (aka Common Interest Network Information Center Society)<ref>[https://forum.icann.org/newtldagmts/3BF3D0C000001782.html Root Support, Forum, ICANN]</ref>  

* eDNS: an organization that promoted alternative DNS root services established by [[Karl Denninger]]; it opened and closed in 1997 as it did not achieve commercial success.<ref>[https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/2784667 eDNS, Academic.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.iperdome.com/releases/970304.htm eDNS Press Release, Iperdome]</ref>

* eDNS: an organization that promoted alternative DNS root services established by [[Karl Denninger]]; it opened and closed in 1997 as it did not achieve commercial success.<ref>[https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/2784667 eDNS, Academic.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.iperdome.com/releases/970304.htm eDNS Press Release, Iperdome]</ref>

* Ethereum: an alternative protocol for building decentralized applications, providing a different set of tradeoffs for a large class of decentralized applications, that focuses on situations involving rapid development time, requiring security for small and rarely used applications, and offering wide-ranging, agile interaction. It has an abstract foundational layer: a blockchain with a built-in Turing-complete programming language so that anyone can write smart contracts and decentralized applications with their own arbitrary rules for ownership, transaction formats, and state transition functions.<ref>[https://ethereum.org/en/whitepaper/#alternative-blockchain-applications Alternative Blockchain Applications, Ethereum.org]</ref>  

* Ethereum: an alternative protocol for building decentralized applications, providing a different set of tradeoffs for a large class of decentralized applications, that focuses on situations involving rapid development time, requiring security for small and rarely used applications, and offering wide-ranging, agile interaction. It has an abstract foundational layer: a blockchain with a built-in Turing-complete programming language so that anyone can write smart contracts and decentralized applications with their own arbitrary rules for ownership, transaction formats, and state transition functions.<ref>[https://ethereum.org/en/whitepaper/#alternative-blockchain-applications Alternative Blockchain Applications, Ethereum.org]</ref>  

* [https://handshake.org Handshake]: A DNS-backwards compatible naming protocol. It adds a distributed, decentralized blockchain-based system to the root zone file where TLD ownership information is stored. No one controls it and anyone can use it, allowing for a root zone that is uncensorable, permissionless, and free of gatekeepers. Every peer in the Handshake network [[Cryptography|cryptographically]] validates and manages the root zone, eliminating the need for the Certificate Authority system.<ref>[https://learn.namebase.io/about-handshake/about-handshake About Handshake, Namebase]</ref>

* [https://handshake.org Handshake]: A DNS-backwards compatible naming protocol. It adds a distributed, decentralized blockchain-based system to the root zone file where TLD ownership information is stored. No one controls it and anyone can use it, allowing for a root zone that is uncensorable, permissionless, and free of gatekeepers. Every peer in the Handshake network [[Cryptography|cryptographically]] validates and manages the root zone, eliminating the need for the Certificate Authority system.<ref>[https://learn.namebase.io/about-handshake/about-handshake About Handshake, Namebase]</ref>

* [http://www.domainincite.com/8247-company-claims-ownership-of-482-new-gtlds name.space]

* [http://www.domainincite.com/8247-company-claims-ownership-of-482-new-gtlds name.space]

* NBA

* NBA

* New.Net/VendareMedia/Connexus: a commercial alternative root that sought to compete with [[.com]], [[.net]], and other TLDs. that attempted to work directly with internet service providers to activate their domain names automatically at the network level. The founders developed proprietary technology to allow their domain-naming system to exist alongside ICANN.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070612090152/http://www.new.net/about_us_mission.tp Mission, About Us, New.Net, Web Archives]</ref>

* New.Net/VendareMedia/Connexus: a commercial alternative root that sought to compete with [[.com]], [[.net]], and other TLDs. that attempted to work directly with internet service providers to activate their domain names automatically at the network level. The founders developed proprietary technology to allow their domain-naming system to exist alongside ICANN.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070612090152/http://www.new.net/about_us_mission.tp Mission, About Us, New.Net, Web Archives]</ref>

* OpenNIC: a user-owned and -controlled top-level Network Information Center offering a non-national alternative to traditional Top-Level Domain (TLD) registries.<ref>[https://wiki.opennic.org/ Wiki, OpenNIC]</ref>

* OpenNIC: a user-owned and -controlled top-level Network Information Center offering a non-national alternative to traditional Top-Level Domain (TLD) registries.<ref>[https://wiki.opennic.org/ Wiki, OpenNIC]</ref>

* [https://www.open-rsc.org/ Open Root Server Confederation (ORSC)]<ref>[https://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm ORSC Proposal, NTIA]</ref>

* [https://www.open-rsc.org/ Open Root Server Confederation (ORSC)]<ref>[https://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm ORSC Proposal, NTIA]</ref>

* Open Root Server Network (ORSN): A network of root servers in Europe (other than the one run by Paul Vixie in the U.S.) that operated from February 2002 to December 2008. ORSN had 2 operating modes: ICANN-based and the default, independent. The former involved daily synchronization but did not remove TLDs that ICANN; the latter was not automatically synchronized.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051124020843/http://european.de.orsn.net/faq.php FAQs, ORSN.net, Web Archives Nov. 24, 2005]</ref>

* Open Root Server Network (ORSN): A network of root servers in Europe (other than the one run by Paul Vixie in the U.S.) that operated from February 2002 to December 2008. ORSN had 2 operating modes: ICANN-based and the default, independent. The former involved daily synchronization but did not remove TLDs that ICANN; the latter was not automatically synchronized.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051124020843/http://european.de.orsn.net/faq.php FAQs, ORSN.net, Web Archives Nov. 24, 2005]</ref>

:{| class="wikitable"

:{| class="wikitable"

| M || Home of the Brave GmbH || Frankfurt, Germany

| M || Home of the Brave GmbH || Frankfurt, Germany

|}

|}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190515033336/http://public-root.com/ Public-Root/INIAC]: this project began operating in Dec 2003 and was supported by the [https://web.archive.org/web/20051230163211/http://inaic.com/ Internet Names Authorization & Information Center] beginning in 2005.

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190515033336/http://public-root.com/ Public-Root/INIAC]: this project began operating in Dec 2003 and was supported by the [https://web.archive.org/web/20051230163211/http://inaic.com/ Internet Names Authorization & Information Center] beginning in 2005.

Individuals can make transactions with each other directly; they do not need intermediary companies.

Individuals can make transactions with each other directly; they do not need intermediary companies.

===Uncensored Activities===

===Uncensored Activities===

==Security==

 

===Security===

In Blockchain-based DNS alternates,  

In Blockchain-based DNS alternates,  

* information is encrypted and stored in blocks immutable and timestamped (easier to audit, harder to tamper with and delete)<ref>[https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-blockchain-dns-software/#What_Is_Blockchain_DNS Top 13 BEST Blockchain DNS Software, Software Testing Help, November 29, 2021]</ref>;

* information is encrypted and stored in blocks immutable and timestamped (easier to audit, harder to tamper with and delete)<ref>[https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-blockchain-dns-software/#What_Is_Blockchain_DNS Top 13 BEST Blockchain DNS Software, Software Testing Help, November 29, 2021]</ref>;

For better or worse, there is a lack of governance in decentralized systems such as that making use of [[Blockchain]].<ref>Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021</ref> However, the [[Multistakeholder Model|coordination]] required to encompass many voices and views and build consensus is glacial in contrast to the pace of pioneering and innovation in unregulated spaces.  

For better or worse, there is a lack of governance in decentralized systems such as that making use of [[Blockchain]].<ref>Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021</ref> However, the [[Multistakeholder Model|coordination]] required to encompass many voices and views and build consensus is glacial in contrast to the pace of pioneering and innovation in unregulated spaces.  

===[[Cybersecurity|Security]]===

===[[Cybersecurity|Security]]===

====DNS====

====ICANN's DNS====

* The [[DNS]] was not made with security in mind; thus, [[DNS Abuse]] has grown up along with the expansion of the Internet.

* The [[DNS]] was not made with security in mind; thus, [[DNS Abuse]] has grown up along with the expansion of the Internet.

====Blockchain models====

====Blockchain models====

===Functionality===

===Functionality===

* Limited audience: few people can view sites or send emails and only to those also using domains in the alternative TLDs. This could be improved through the use of special helper applications, or if a custom configuration was made to their computer, or to their nameservers, or a custom configuration at an ISP upstream in the DNS hierarchy. None of these solutions were as comprehensive as being listed in the default nameservers that are seen when an operating system starts. Whilst technically trivial to set up, actually running a reliable root server network, in the long run, is a serious undertaking, requiring multiple servers to be kept running 24/7 in geographically diverse locations. During the dot-com boom, some alt-root providers believed that there were substantial profits to be made from providing alternative top-level domains. Only a small proportion of ISPs actually use any of the zones served by alt-root operators, generally sticking to the ICANN-specified root servers. This in turn led to the commercial failure of several alternative DNS root providers.

* Limited audience: few people can view sites or send emails and only to those also using domains in the alternative TLDs. This could be improved through the use of special helper applications, or if a custom configuration was made to their computer, or to their nameservers, or a custom configuration at an ISP upstream in the DNS hierarchy. None of these solutions were as comprehensive as being listed in the default nameservers that are seen when an operating system starts. Whilst technically trivial to set up, actually running a reliable root server network, in the long run, is a serious undertaking, requiring multiple servers to be kept running 24/7 in geographically diverse locations. During the dot-com boom, some alt-root providers believed that there were substantial profits to be made from providing alternative top-level domains. Only a small proportion of ISPs actually use any of the zones served by alt-root operators, generally sticking to the ICANN-specified root servers. This in turn led to the commercial failure of several alternative DNS root providers.

* Alternative name systems today are clunky, hard to reach, and expensive; they put the onus on browsers, which do not want to govern.<ref>Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021</ref>

* Blockchain websites are not yet popular, as they have unusual extensions (such as .eth), are based on complex smart contracts to form a human-readable web address, and users need to install special extensions and plugins to their browsers to access them.<ref>[https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-blockchain-dns-software/#What_Is_Blockchain_DNS Top 13 BEST Blockchain DNS Software, Software Testing Help, November 29, 2021]</ref>

Alternative name systems today are clunky, hard to reach, and expensive; they put the onus on browsers, which do not want to govern.<ref>Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021</ref>

===Costs===

===Costs===