Typing in URLs is less than before, but it won’t go away. And its much easier
to remember a sites name in one’s native language and script.
That’s why we are looking for ways to increase Arabic IDN adoption, while
Russian and Korean IDN have been very successful commercially and in consumer
uptake (see the reports Baher Esmat sent yesterday).
Regards
-Ahmed
From: Stephen Wilcox
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 7:25 PM
To: Ahmed Abu-Abed
Cc: Timothy Roy ; mailto:[email protected]
Subject: Re: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
I mean there is less interest and value since navigation on the Internet has
moved away from typing URLs into browsers.. app based devices and better search
engines along with integration with browsers means most users are not
remembering and typing URLs and instead using more seamless methods to
navigate.
Similarly with the "www" point which is also true with "http://"; - many years
ago this was necessary as a lot of services other than www co-existing on the
Internet and there was confusion with users, every day terminology and the
expectation of the technology. Nowadays, if you type "apple" into your browser
you will find your way immediately to Apple without needing the http, www or
the .com ... in fact, if you use an iPad or iTunes you dont even need to know
the URLs, its all built into the apps which are preloaded into the device.
eg enter "خليج" into your browser.. my first hit is "خليج - ويكيبيديا، الموسوعة
الحرة" and my second is "خليج سيهات" etc ... but the websites are
"http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/خليج"; and "http://www.khaleejsaihat.com/"; -
both non-IDN, but if I only spoke arabic and didn't even understand the latin
alphabet it wouldn't matter since the URL isn't important for me.
I'm not saying there shouldn't be IDNs or that having your company's name in
arabic isn't important, just that users are not as focussed on the domain name
any more therefore adoption is slower since priority is going elsewhere ie in
content and apps.
Steve
On 28 October 2013 16:12, Ahmed Abu-Abed <[email protected]> wrote:
Please elaborate on what is 10 years too late, do you mean IDN is late ?
-Ahmed
From: Stephen Wilcox
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 2:53 PM
To: Ahmed Abu-Abed
Cc: Timothy Roy ; mailto:[email protected]
Subject: Re: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
Not wishing to sound skeptical, but isnt this all coming about 10 years too
late and thats the reason for the lack of adoption?
The device of choice is a smartphone or tablet, these are app and icon based.
Being old fashioned I still use a computer but mostly find things, even
common websites by inputting the common name into a search bar (or browser bar
- Chrome doesnt distinguish) and the result is a clickable list of search
results, which will be in the local script and language.
eg the average user never inputs urls anyway, but when they do they likely
input arabic text directly to the browser for a search term and get a list of
website titles and then click them. they dont pay attention to the underlying
URL that much any more
Compare to this address books on mobile phones. In the 90s I could tell you
anyone's phone number from memory, now I know maybe my own and my Mums and
thats about it..
Steve
On 28 October 2013 08:38, Ahmed Abu-Abed <[email protected]> wrote:
The Arabic version of "net" would come at the beginning of the domain name,
as we don't have an equivalent of "www". Thus in Oman's case it would still end
in .oman in Arabic.
IMO, as techies we may not be the best ones to judge which is better, ie.
to keep an equivalent of www or drop it. The domain name's marketing staff
should decide on this, with the aim of gaining more interest to their website
if promoting an Arabic IDN. Registrar's may provide both options to their
customers to encourage Arabic IDN adoption.
Regards,
-Ahmed
On 2013-10-28, at 8:05 AM, Timothy Roy <[email protected]> wrote:
I believe that the Arabic version of net would cause more confusion. I
think that keeping simpler is better. I know that here in Oman we have been
pushing and promoting the .oman(Arabic) IDN quite extensively.
I also believe that for an organization to actually have the Arabic
content and URL they need to access their market. If they want to reach or
promote their business to the MENOG regions (or regions of their specific
country) that have a lesser comprehension of English language then they should
go for it. As a registry we are trying to promote it but it is mainly up to
the Registrars to promote it to obtain more business in this field of domain
names.
My quick observations.
Best Regards
Timothy Roy
Regulatory and Compliance Unit
Domain Name Operations
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
Tel: +968 24574858
Mobile: +968 93551117
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7:30am – 3:00pm (Muscat GMT +4)
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ahmed Abu-Abed
Sent: 28 October 2013 08:55
To: Fahd Batayneh
Cc: menog@menog. net
Subject: Re: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
I agree, the term “www” may seem redundant at first look, but it
certainly indicates what is coming next is a web site. In other words, it is
like a “Mr.” or “Dr.” title that give you a rough idea of the person you are
referring to.
Should we have an Arabic “www” equivalent to grab peoples attention to
Arabic IDN ? Something like نت (translated into “net”) so instead of
عمان.الاردن the website owner should promote نت.عمان..الاردن
This will likely get more attention to Arabic IDNs.
My 0.02 Dinar thoughts ...
-Ahmed
From: Fahd Batayneh
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 12:23 AM
To: Ahmed Abu-Abed
Cc: mailto:[email protected]
Subject: RE: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
I have actually seen Arabic URLs posted in public areas in the UAE, yet
it is not gaining the marketing advantages it seeks.
There have been discussions within New gTLD applicants on whether to
encourage New gTLD registrants (once these new gTLDs are delegated and are
generally available) to advertise their online presence using “www” in front of
the URL or not; i.e. www.menog.anything vs. menog.anything. For those who might
not know, the inventor of the term “www” in front of URLs has admitted that
such an addition was a mistake in the first place. Yet, after thorough
discussions, those involved have concluded that in order for people to
understand what menog.anything is, it is best that “www” is added in front of
the URL for advertising purposes. I believe this to be the case for IDNs we
well; i.e. some just don’t understand what مثال.اختبار is.
My 2 cents.
Fahd
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ahmed Abu-Abed
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2013 9:51 PM
To: Tom Paseka
Cc: menog@menog. net
Subject: Re: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
Hi Tom,
Country code TLDs have been available since 2010 for 4 Arab countries at
least. Unfortunately its not on most peoples priority list for implementing,
and I have not noticed any advertising for an Arabic URL over the past couple
of years (I live in the MENOG region).
As for CloudFlares IDNs, it would be good to filter out which are using
the Arabic alphabet and know how many Arabic IDNs are actually out there. That
would require a good understanding of Punycode used to translate an IDN into
Latin characters.
Regards,
-Ahmed
From: Tom Paseka
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2013 7:20 PM
To: Ahmed Abu-Abed
Cc: mailto:[email protected]
Subject: Re: [menog] New Arabic TLD and idea's popularity
Hi Ahmed,
I've had a look through CloudFlare's customers and we see thousands of
IDN's, but this is nothing compared to what exists in pre-existing romanized
domains.
For a pre-existing company to move to a IDN, or any new domain in
general, they have to revamp their presence, re-market to everyone to make sure
they visit the correct address. I assume this isn't an easy task.
I suspect you'll see new starters coming out from the get-go with an IDN,
but it'll take a while for the existing content to start adoption.
Cheers,
Tom
On Sun, Oct 27, 2013 at 1:54 AM, Ahmed Abu-Abed <[email protected]> wrote:
ICANN is in the news with the new شبكة TLD, see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24637673
I am yet to see Arabic TLDs widely implemented, although most browsers
are ready, even on iOS and Android which I tested with an Arabic URL. Any idea
on why is the delay in implementing Arabic URL by content providers
(newspapers, etc.) ? People in the region prefer Arabic websites, so I am
wondering what’s stopping content providers from having Arabic URLs.
Also, anyone know if major portals, like Google or Yahoo, have
implemented IDNs in any language for their URL ? Something like ياهو.شبكة
(which translates to Yahoo.net , as I cannot find an equivalent to .com as an
Arabic TLD).
Best Regards,
Ahmed Abu-Abed
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IX Reach Ltd
E: [email protected]
M: +44 7966 048633
Tempus Court, Bellfield Road, High Wycombe, HP13 5HA, UK._______________________________________________
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