Imaginary Landscape
RSS FeedManaging domain name registrations is part of a Web developers job. However, it can be a pain in the butt and, as one developer found out, expensive if you mess up.
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Yuma Solutions, the Web developer for the George Bush presidential library, accidentally let its domain name expire. Another firm snatched it up for $10 and charged Yuma $35,000 to get it back. This is a follow up to a Dallas Morning News story from April.
I have mixed emotions about this. It was another Web developer - Raleigh, NC-based Illuminati Karate - that snatched the domain after trolling a list of expiring domain names.
No question that Yuma made a mistake to let it expire. In fact, domain registrars are second only to magazines when it comes to early and frequent reminders about upcoming expirations. Some email box somewhere was likely stuffed with reminders and warnings. And, Yuma was lucky to get it back. Paying some premium is expected. I would consider a 350,000% return to be somewhat excessive, but as I said, they were lucky to get it back.
However, Illuminati Karate couldn't just take the money. It seems that a representative of the company was all too eager to boast of the company's domain name prowess to the Dallas Morning News. The boast included the particulars of the transaction, including pricing. Certain quotes teeter on the brink of gloating.
"To be honest, I couldn't believe someone was letting it expire."
"When the article came out, I think they wanted it back pretty badly."
Perhaps there are many who view Illuminati Karate as industrious. Perhaps they are. But, to boast about it in the press is inappropriate. Yuma made a mistake. They paid for their mistake - out of their own pocket. No need to drag them into the negative spotlight on the way to the bank to cash their check.
The Associated Press picked it up. Consequently, it is now a worldwide story.
Updated 07/14/10 @ 11:06AM CDT by brian
