For those of you that didn't receive it...
>
>Hello -
>
>This message is being sent to you as an early announcement of upcoming
>changes to the OpenSRS suite of services. We are pleased to announce that
>we will be releasing a new version of the client and server code on
>September 9th 2000. While we encourage all RSPs to implement the new
>client code in order to take advantage of our new features, you will not
>be required to do so at this time. You can still continue to use your
>existing code and receive the same functionality you have today. Even if
>you are not planning on upgrading, you should read this announcement
>completely, as it contains information about upcoming service
>interruptions related to this release.
>
>New features in this release include:
>
>Client (Full Access):
>
>- Support for .co.uk and .org.uk registrations
>- manage.cgi improvements: support for .255 IP addresses, log out button
>added, interface wording improved, cancel changes button fixed
>- Removal of name server information for transfer orders (transfers retain
>name server information until modified)
>
>Server (Quickstart):
>
>- Support for .co.uk and .org.uk registrations
>- Display results standardized for searches, removed 200 Domain limit
>- RSP payment confirmation messages improved with business information
>- Improved sorting for "View Pending Orders" and "View Completed Orders"
>- Error messages for transfer confirmations include RSP branding
>- "View Pending Orders" shows registration term
>- Allow RSP to re-send transfer confirmation messages
>- Improved searching of "View Active Domains"
>
>In addition to this, our back office has been re-tooled to support
>registration growth and future development. Our objective is to be able to
>regularly add new features and services with as little development impact
>to RSP's as possible. The changes made to support this objective will have
>more impact in the future than immediately, however, it will allow us to
>introduce new products and functionality to you at an advanced pace.
>
>The next scheduled releases for the OpenSRS client will occur in Q4/00 and
>Q1/01 respectively. More details on these releases will be provided as
>they become available.
>
>Opportunity for co.uk and .org.uk
>-----------------
>More and more of your customers will soon be embarking on their own online
>global expansion. If the latest trends are any indication, the .uk
>namespace will likely be one of their first stops.
>
>According to Nominet, 150,000 new .co.uk names are registered every
>month. To date, .co.uk and .org.uk names account for just over 10 per
>cent of the total number of domain names registered.
>
>Offering .co.uk and org.uk as part of your portfolio is also a simple way
>to send a very powerful message about your business (even to those who do
>not currently want these domain names). It lets your customers know that
>you are anticipating and meeting all their domain name needs and makes
>them aware that they can count on you to continue to expand your selection
>of ccTLDs and, eventually, new gTLDs.
>
>Pricing for co.uk and .org.uk
>-----------------
>Pricing for .co.uk and .org.uk registrations will be $16.00 US for two
>year registrations. At this time, only two-year registration terms are
>available.
>
>Billing Changes
>-----------------
>We recognize the time has come to abandon the RCU (Reseller Credit Unit)
>concept. To simplify payments and account reconciliations we will adopt a
>pre-paid account balance system. This is not really a great departure
>from RCUs in general, and is a more streamlined, flexible system that will
>support existing and future product offerings. All interface references to
>RCUs will be eliminated in the new release and will be replaced with
>"Account Balance".
>
>This means that if your balance was 6 RCUs which was worth $60, your new
>balance would simply be $60.
>
>Implementation Schedule
>-----------------
>These downtime notices supersede any previous communications. This is a
>complete list of planned outages through 09/09/00.
>
>08/30/00 - General availability announcement, beta client code and beta
>docs available at http://www.opensrs.org/src/unsupported/
>
>08/31/00 - Scheduled maintenance downtime for horizon.opensrs.net - from
>6:00 AM EDT to 10:00 AM EDT - this will only affect our test environment
>
>09/05/00 - We will make the new server available on our test system,
>horizon.opensrs.net . As a result of this, our test environment,
>horizon.opensrs.net will be taken offline for 4 hours from 6:00 AM EDT
>until 10:00 AM EDT on 09/05/00. Availability of the new functions will
>occur after the downtime.
>
>09/09/00 - We will release the final client code and documentation. We
>will make the new server available on our production environment,
>rr-n1-tor.opensrs.net. As a result of this, our production environment
>will be taken offline for 6 hours from 1:00 AM EDT until 7:00 AM EDT on
>09/09/00.
>
>Notes
>-----------------
>In order to qualify to sell .co.uk and .org.uk names, RSPs will need to
>agree to and submit an addendum to their existing agreement with Tucows.
>RSPs will also have to demonstrate their methodology for binding their
>customers to the *.uk specific terms and conditions. We will release the
>addendum and qualification process when it is finalized.
>
>Fully revised documentation (including an upgrade guide for both
>Quickstart and Full Access customers), and a complete protocol
>specification will be provided.
>
>We are excited about this new release, and look forward to extending
>further revenue opportunities and functionality to you. As always, please
>send any questions, comments or concerns to your OpenSRS account manager,
>or to the appropriate resource listed below.
>
>Information Resources
>-----------------
>- Beta client code feedback: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>- RSP technical support: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>- Payment information/issues: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>- Suggestions: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>- Mailing lists: http://www.opensrs.org/archives/mailing.index.shtml
>
>Thanks for being a Tucows Business Partner!
>
>Regards,
>
>sA
>
>Scott Allan
>Director, OpenSRS
Scott Allan
Director OpenSRS
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
