One of my pet peeves on the Internet is the phenomena of cybersquatting and domain speculating.  Basically, most cybersquatters are people or companies who register blocks of domains for the purpose of reselling them to end-users or developers who ultimately want to create content around a given domain name.

Because we live in a capitalistic society, I won’t say it is morally or ethically wrong to cybersquat for profit.  However, as a website creator and content developer, I find myself blocked from using many domains that would be appropriate for a project or venture.

If there was a corresponding live website to a registered domain name, it would not bother me so much.  But most of the time when I view a registered domain, it shows nothing or a generic parked page.  That tells me that there are lots of people who either are not developing content for the registered domains or they are cyber-squatting.

There are domains I register and hold on to.  But it is not to resell them.  I have intentions of developing a website around the name.  For the most part, the days of domain speculation are over and yet there are many domains still being sat upon.

With ICANN’s recent expansion announcement, the Internet domain space will soon be expanded to the point where it will become unprofitable to cybersquat.  No longer will we be limited to .com, .net, .org, .info, etc.  We potentially will have a limitless supply of domain names with the creation of new top-level domains.

Up to now, I have been a strong proponent of getting a .com in a domain name.  However, I have softened my opinion on this because I have registered some .org domains as appropriate.  The biggest problem years back was that most of the public was ignorant of Internet conventions.  So if you did not have a .com, you were not as credible and you ran the danger of less sophisticated users not being able to recognize your Internet address as an accessible website.

I am tired of cyber-squattting and domain speculators.  In my eyes, they profit but they really add no value to the big picture.  With domain names soon becoming plentiful and diverse, the power shifts back to the website creators and content developers.  That is what people want, that is what I want to provide.

We are in the middle of 2008.  ICANN claims they will start accepting new applications around this time in 2009.  I predict that sometime in 2010, the domain space will begin to widen.  I also predict that cybersquatters and domain speculators are going to start dumping their domains when they realize it is going to be quite unprofitable unless they have a super-unique domain name.

As far as I am concerned, there isn’t a project I have worked on that I have not been able to be creative and work around cyber-squatters.  I simply will not allow them to profit from me.

Cybersquatting and domain speculating will soon become an obsolete and unprofitable thanks to ICANN’s recent decision.  The end, and new beginning, cannot come soon enough for me.  Start watching domain names not being registered next year.  The dumping will start slow but will eventually come fast and furious.

On Saturday, I have to say that I was quite impressed with Al Gore and Live Earth Day.  Although I did not watch much of the concerts, I did witness some of the musical talent he assembled and the large crowds of people he pulled together around the world.   Additionally, the event was televised around the world in well over 100 countries.

It was truly amazing.  Without being President, Al Gore has tremendously reinvented himself as a private citizen.  He has become a “movie star” with his documentary, a best-selling author with his books, and become a world player and world citizen with his personal crusade to inform the world on the issue of global warming.

I have to admit to being inspired with what he has accomplished after suffering a devastating “loss” against George W. Bush in the 2000 Presidential election.  I will continue to watch him in the years to come.  It will be very interesting to see his influence or actions during the 2008 Presidential election.

Thomas Friedman is probably my favorite author when it comes to matters of business globalization. I first enjoyed his The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization written a few years back.

His follow-up, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century is quite impressive and comprehensive. He correctly includes, outlines, and discusses the major technological advances and milestones that have greatly affected the globalization movement. Coming from a high-tech background, his material resonated strongly with me.

As a whole, I am a proponent of globalization. However, it does come with a price. People who are not prepared to take advantage of it will ultimately become victims and get swept up in its wake. I respect and welcome but also somewhat fear globalization. However, I have come to accept its inevitability.

I enjoy Friedman’s writings because he puts it in language that most people can understand without becoming an economist.

I highly recommend The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century to any entrepreneur and investor today. Make sure to get the 2nd edition for the latest and greatest commentary.

In recent years, I have felt a greater calling to be involved and contribute to charitable organizations. I have been quite fortunate in my life. Despite any personal setbacks I have experienced in my own life, they do not compare to the pain and suffering I see in the world.

Many people say that what they do don’t make a difference or doesn’t make a big enough difference. Personally, I think every little bit helps and I get peace of mind that I have tried to do my part by making a small contribution. I am also trying to do my part by leading by example.

I don’t want to make a big speech or anything but I do want to let people know that I am doing my small part. And if that can influence or motivate someone, then I will have helped the cause. Donations are very easy. And it can be as small as $5 or $10. Are you willing to give up one lunch to help someone? To me, it is an easy “YES”.

I will be compiling a list of charitable organizations that I personally support and endorse. As of this writing, Red Cross and The Smile Train are at the top of the list. I am quite confident I will be finding more organizations I will want to help financially support.

I just recently announced the 2005 Global MindShare Intensive, a 4-day workshop in Gold Coast, Australia designed specifically for the Australians and New Zealanders. This is a bit of an undertaking since I am far-removed from the area. Fortunately, I have my friend Freya Cottrill who is helping me with the event.

It is always interesting undertaking a new challenge. But I think it is worth the risk to expand my network to new people. I especially focus on people who are achievers and this event is designed to accommodate that audience.

Having hosted the 2004 MasterMind Forums Convention and the 2005 MindShare Cruise, I feel the time is right to try something a little more bold. And besides, this event is a good excuse for me to go visit Australia for a couple weeks and socialize with my friends there. I am truly looking forward to it.

I am hoping that some Americans might want to pop in but I think it will be tough for most Americans to travel that far. But one can hope.

In the meantime, I am looking to spread the word on this event. Feel free to tell people about it.

In the MSNBC article, “China orders all blogs to register”, the Chinese government has gone insane.

They have become so upset that they want to have all websites and blogs registered?

Obviously, this has me incensed because I love the Internet and the lifestyle it has provided me in information, entertainment, business contacts, opportunity, and financial profit. The Internet has become the great equalizer and gives the single individual the power to take on large companies and even hold them accountable.

The more China decides to squash its citizens and its individuality, the greater the revolt when it does happen.

And the Chinese government is going to close Internet cafes so people can’t get to the Internet? You have got to be kidding me.

I think we are quite fortunate to be in the U.S. Unfortunately, many citizens don’t get the value of what they have. There are people who are proud to shun the Internet and glorify being ignorant. But that basically tells me something about them. They want to preserve the past.

Read the MSNBC article and appreciate where we are in the U.S.