Should Scotland have it's own top level domain

[barryhynd]

I have to admit I picked up on this a little late but I think people can still have an opinion on this. A petition was recently sent to the Scottish Government asking them to support a top level domain for Scotland. So in addition to having .co.uk you could also have .sco at the end. The campaign site for this is below.

dotSCO - The Campaign for a .SCO Internet Domain

What do people think of this idea? is it really worth it? How do people like Google adjust for the introduction of new top level domains etc?

[stugster]

Fantastic idea! After all, France have it! Scotland should have it too! And we shouldn't just stop there! Why not .eng and .wal? Great idea

[stugster]

It's a pity they pushed for the petition so quickly. By the time people were being made aware (for example your post) the petition is already closed! Could have easily doubled that number of votes in the space of a few more days.

[frockery]

I had heard of this lot but was unaware there was a petition. I agree with Stu, that we could have got quite a few more thousand sigs through our various networks had it still been running.

We should keep an eye out for the Govt response but I imagine will be lukewarm at best.

[Brian McIntosh]

I'm going to be in the minority here and say no. To me that's just another level of confusion. For me having domains ending in anything other than .com and .co.uk is enough. I realise that, because of the growth of the internet, new top level domains have to be invented but it's not for me.

[nothing does]

Originally Posted by Snapper

I'm going to be in the minority here and say no. To me that's just another level of confusion. For me having domains ending in anything other than .com and .co.uk is enough. I realise that, because of the growth of the internet, new top level domains have to be invented but it's not for me.

I think I have to agree with you there. Makes you wonder if all this may have been created so companies could sell you more domains: 'You have .com and .co.uk so why not buy .sco too?'

When I started I bought .com and .co.uk as I felt that these were the main two. I then got a letter from a domain registration company trying to sell me .tv .mob etc.

You'll probably find that any new company buying a .sco will also buy the more established .co.uk and possible .com so what's the point?

[TomB]

I have to say I agree with snapper and David,

I don't think we need it. I think the .co.uk and .coms are plenty.

We don't need all these junky .eu, .mob and all that just more ways for domain companies to make more money. Or I'm sure that spammers will take advantage of it.

I don't see the point of having the same website at .co.uk, .com and .sco and surely the search engines don't like it either as its duplicate content.

But then thats just my thoughts.

T

[Wills]

I'd say no as well, it can only generate more confusion, the public are becoming savy to the url make up and will automatically tag on the www and .co.uk to a business name, the only people to benefit would be the ones selling the domains especially if it has your brand name and you don't want it being used by competitors.

[frockery]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I do agree that it would be a money making exercise for domain salespeople, as with .eu, .biz etc.

However, Scotland does have its own distinct identity and is too often seen to be just a 'region' of the UK (as are Wales and NI because they are smaller constituent parts).

When I am looking for a product or service, I want to be able to find a Scotland based company as it would always be my preference to spend the few bawbees Gordon leaves me with this side of the border. Having a .sco top level domain would make that easier IMO.

I know some Scottish charities and voluntary organsations are also enthusiastic about having .org.sco in order to differentiate them from their counterparts south of the border.

And .co.uk / .org.uk would eventually become redundant if the union were to be dismantled... not that we're expecting it any time soon.

[stugster]

Alison, give sexy Salmond a call and see if he'd like to have a think about it. Would be fantastic publicity for him on his Devolutionary campaign!