Since there are a couple of weeks left before the closing date of 31 January
2002 for people to lodge their applications for generic com.au domain names,
perhaps a status report from auDA might be appropriate.

A summary of something like "X many applications have been received for Y
number of generic domain names" might be useful.

If there have been few applications for the generic names then either:

1. People don't know the process is underway, or
2. Pople have worked out that generic names aren't useful

The point here is something I raised on the list a couple of weeks ago -
trying to minimise any complaints after 31 Jan that "gee, I didn't know
about the process"

Another press release from auDA to the usual reptiles along the lines of
"two weeks left to register for a generic" might result in some more media
exposure.


Of course, its impossible for auDA to ensure that everyone knows about the
process - even large advertising campaigns often have little effect.  I hear
that:

* the Federal Government's offer of $150 rebate on Australian holidays
(introduced to stimulate tourism after the events of 11/9 last year) has had
very few takers.
* the introduction of electricty company competition in NSW has resulted in
virtually no enquiries about changing providers, despite the advertising by
various companies and the government


And possibly by now almost everyone has worked out that generic names aren't
valuable :)



Regards, Mark

Mark Hughes
Effective Business Applications Pty Ltd
effectivebusiness§pplications.com.au
www.pplications.com.au
+61 4 1374 3959