Why SocialDNS

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Uniform Resource Locators (URL) conform the core of the resource location services used in the World Wide Web. The address part of a resource locator can be specified by using either a numeric representation (i.e., ip address, http://192.168.1.10) or a mnemonic string including some organizational encoding (http://service.mycompany.com). The later approach is achieved by using a naming service (Domain Name Service or DNS) and is preferred for its simplicity and location transparency. As a consequence of its massive use, the DNS is considered the heart of the hyperlinking and navigation mechanisms of the Web.

In fact, in its infancy, the DNS Whois Database served as the white pages directory of ARPANET users. Furthermore, easy to memorize names were key navigational aids to find content in the Internet. Nevertheless, as stated in [1], “as the Internet developed in size, scope, and complexity, the DNS was unable to satisfy many Internet users’ needs for navigational assistance”. In this scenario, search engines like Google or yahoo have superseded the DNS as the de facto Internet directory.

SocialDNS aims to offer innovative services that are beyond the scope of the current DNS system:

  • A novel Naming system using the go:// namespace: We offer a web indirection service that maps URLs to URLs. Following DNS conventions we can assign Web TLDs in this new namespace without limits. We also support multilingual domain names so the number of possible domains is quite huge. Every user, organization, company or institution can have many domains and Web TLDs.
  • A new directory system: The addition of standard meta-information (tags, geotags, ...) to our domain names converts SocialDNS in a true directory for the Internet. Such meta-data also permit advanced search mechanisms over the indexed domains. Yes, we are also a search engine where users introduce the metadata that will index their Web resources.
  • A social service: that promotes the creation of communities around domains. It offers public communication channels over domain names and tags. Every TLD can also become a community hub for related contents and users.
  • Useful tools: SocialDNS is also useful for reducing URLs (tinyURL), for persistent URLs (pURLS), for URL geolocation (geoURL) and a usefull community tool for finding users and contents. go:// URLs will be useful for marketing purposes and for memorable names.
  • An open system: SocialDNS software is open source (WebTLD software) so users can modify or extend the system. But the more important thing is data. All the information is publicly available in standard format (XML). Unlike Google or Yahoo, our database is public so third-parties can use the information for free. We also offer APIs to interact with the system.

Controversial issues:

  • Name assignment conflicts and cybersquatting: Users moderate and solve conflicts regarding to domain ownership. We have strong rules against domain name speculation because we believe that empty or fake domains are useless. Speculators will lose their ownership over domain names.
  • Conflicts with ICANN: Although we have a different namespace, we maintain ownership for ICANN TLDs to avoid conflicts. If DNS TLD owners request ownership (.com, .net, .uk) we will assign them the Web TLD.

Advantages of SocialDNS

  • Use Short Memorable names with semantic information (go://n95.nokia)
  • Use Persistent and costless URLs to your Web pages
  • Manage your Web TLD
  • Index your domains (tags and geotags), others will find you using the cloud search engine
  • Obtain domain names in different TLDs (participate in communities)
  • Communicate with others using domain and tag channels
  • Extend or modify the system software and data (it is open and free)
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