Ye gods, a competant, literate answer! Excellent! Not what I was expecting at
all! :)
Mark Lieb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
> While the market will eventually determine price and drive it down to
> a reasonable markup that is not the case now. I agree that it is
> in Tucows best interest to do one of two things: provide a great free
> client and support for a large fee, or do like Enom and provide a low
> price and pretty much squat when it comes to client.
>
While I *love* the way Tucows works, and I *love* the client - although I
sometimes wonder why we're still working in Perl - calling it "free" is a
misnomer. It's not free, because you're paying for the development with those
four bucks a pop.
Now don't go jumping down my throat before I'm finished folks - let me say my
piece...
The OpenSRS crew put a lot of work into the client. And they're open and
communicative about things, and their support is apparently good - I'm
lucky, I've never had to use it. However, I've stated in the past that I
think providing an API is more than enough. Which they have of course done.
Good job.
If it came down to the Client V Price though, price would win hands down.
Screw the client - coding an application to talk to OpenXRS should be part of
the rite-test, and would no doubt rid us of some of the moronic script-
kiddies we get in here on occasion, who think that logging into a server and
changing the homepage is "hacking" (Gaaahh!!). Let's call it an initiative
test... :)
> Tucows is definitely pouring time and money into this product. The XRS
> system is proof of that. The fact that it is free is amazing.
>
The OpenSRS *client* is free, not OpenXRS. OpenXRS isn't free, by any manner
of means... (Sorry, anal I know. :)
> I do not believe that anyone will get rich selling domain names even
> for $2 over ICANN cost. If this is your make or break margin, you
> need to click here before it is too late: http://www.hotjobs.com.
>
Like I said, this isn't about me. I don't sell very many domains, because
I've been taking my time - I live in Ireland, and getting a decent merchant
account in Ireland is a thankless task. This is just my opinion. So let's not
get into "you's" and "me's", huh?
> Believe me, I would be first in line to get a lower Tucows price, but
> it is probably too early to expect it.
>
Yes, but there's no harm in bringing up the topic for discussion, is there? I
mean, isn't that what the list is for? "discuss-list"? Does exactly what it
says on the tin? I won't be surprised if OpenSRS come back with, "No, we're
not changing the pricing." Disappointed, yes, but surprised, no. It's quite
quiet from that angle at the moment though, I'm wondering what the OpenSRS
staffers *do* think about the whole subject...
> I also strongly agree with you that the only way to get the best
> policies and practices in conjunction with the software is to have
> a very open line of communication to and between your RSPs. No one
> should every be discouraged from "bucking the system".
>
Yes, and that's a good thing with OpenSRS - it's a bit like a democracy. What
people seem to forget, however, is that it's *not* a democracy, in any way,
shape or form. Tucows is a business. With costings and projections, and all
the garbage we have to put up with every day, only on a much bigger scale.
People would do well to remember that.
> And that's the bottom line, 'cause Stone Cold says so. (Did I just
> kill my credibility?).
>
Nope. Who's Stone Cold? :)
adam
