Susan Crawford describes problems with the sTLD process very well. Hope this can be discussed during the constituency meeting and people will comment during the public forum. Vint Cerf in 2000 said the process felt like sitting on a venture capital board, this time around seems worse. Susan mentions two concerns, I'm just copying one below, see <http://scrawford.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2004/2/20/21777.html>. Thanks, Adam Concerns about ICANN's direction by Susan at 05:19PM (EST) on February 20, 2004 | Permanent Link Two recent (or upcoming) ICANN moments should cause concern. First, the sTLD beauty contest. The application requirements for these sTLDs make it seem as if registries are applying for venture funding rather than a string. Take a look, particularly at the financial and business plan requirements. Headcounts down to the mailroom. Travel plans. It's as if ICANN has hired an investment banker to look into these plans. ICANN has no special competency in any of these areas, and it would make much more sense -- and fit ICANN's limited role so much better -- if ICANN had a neutral third party develop minimum technical/financial standards. ICANN could then then roll TLDs (not sponsored, not unsponsored, just TLDs) out as applications came in and were approved. (rest not inc.) --