Blog: Espresso

While new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) wait for ICANN to announce an application date, country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) continue to migrate in large numbers to CoCCA, the registry software system which shares a codebase with Minds + Machines’ Espresso registry system.

Dot Masr, the Arabic-script ccTLD for Egypt, successfully deployed today on the CoCCA system. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) has deployed its production domain name registry system for Egypt’s internationalized domain name country-code top-level domain (IDN ccTLD).

Egypt joins Kenya (.ke), Madagascar (.mg), Mauritius (.mu), Nigeria (.ng), Cameroon (.cm), Mozambique (.mz) , Namibia (.na), Egypt ASCII (.eg) and several other African countries in deploying the CoCCA registry system. In the second quarter of 2010 alone, six ccTLDs have migrated to CoCCA: Greenland (.gl), Guernsey (.gg), Jersey (.je), Palestine (.ps); and American Samoa (.as) will be migrating to CoCCA. By a wide margin, CoCCA is the most widely deployed top-level domain registry system in the world, supporting over 30 ccTLDs.

We are very pleased to announce that BRS Media, Inc. has chosen Espresso CC as its new top-level domain registry platform .FM. All existing .FM names were migrated over the weekend and are functioning normally in their new home.

Welcome dotFM!

Here’s the text of the press release:

dotFM Chooses Espresso Registry Platform for .FM Top-Level Domain

JOINS 14 COUNTRIES NOW USING THE ESPRESSO PLATFORM TO BE USED BY MINDS + MACHINES FOR NEW WEB ADDRESSES

NEW YORK, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Effective today, BRS Media Inc., operator of dotFM, will use Espresso CC as the registry platform for the .FM top-level domain, home of last.fm and other prominent web addresses. Migration of all existing domain names to the new platform was completed in 48 hours over the last few days. .FM will utilize UltraDNS for domain name resolution.

.FM is the latest of 14 country-code domains to choose the Espresso CC registry platform to manage its top-level domain and to endorse the powerful Espresso platform – which Minds + Machines will use for the new top-level domains expected to launch next year.

Espresso CC, developed as a co-operative effort between CoCCA and Minds + Machines, is a next-generation registry services platform for country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs). Its rich feature set – combined with its long-established reputation for stability, ease of use and attractive pricing – has attracted growing interest and to date has been adopted by 14 ccTLDs. Its cousin Espresso, which is fully ICANN-compliant, will be used by Minds + Machines for the new generic top-level domains to be issued by ICANN early in 2010.

“After comparing several registry systems along with soliciting input from major registrars, we are pleased to have upgraded to the Espresso CC Registry Platform,” said George T Bundy, Chairman and CEO of BRS Media Inc. “With its impressive management features, field-tested stability, and fully integrated EPP compliance, the Espresso CC is the benchmark for the exciting future of dotFM.”

“We’re thrilled to see dotFM join the growing list of top-level domains that have chosen to rely on Espresso, and we look forward to providing this terrific platform to the new web addresses from ICANN that are creating so much excitement,” said Antony Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “George Bundy is an Internet pioneer with long experience and his choice of Espresso is a huge vote of confidence that we’re very proud of.”

In addition to highly popular top-level domains such as dotFM, Minds + Machines provides capacity-building grants through CoCCA to emerging country-code registries – providing equipment, training and ongoing guidance as well as free implementation of the Espresso CC platform.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) will early next year begin accepting applications for top-level domains named after cities, companies, brands and entrepreneurial ventures. Minds + Machines has previously announced partnerships to provide registry services using the Espresso platform for proposed new web addresses including .eco (www.supportdoteco.com), .nyc (www.dotnyc.net), .roma (http://www.ildominiodiroma.it/index_eng.html) and .radio (http://www.dotradio.info)

ABOUT MINDS + MACHINES http://www.mindsandmachines.com

Minds + Machines works internationally with companies, cities, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs to secure and operate new web addresses, known as top-level domains (TLDs). Minds + Machines provides the comprehensive application preparation services necessary to acquire a new TLD, as well as a robust, scalable registry hardware and software platform used by over a dozen TLDs worldwide today. Minds + Machines is known for its customer-friendly approach that is specifically designed to make the process of acquiring and operating new TLDs more accessible, more reliable and less expensive. Minds + Machines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Top Level Domains Holdings, Ltd. (AIM: TLDH.L)

ABOUT BRS MEDIA http://www.brsmedia.fm

Based in the South of Market district (SoMa) of San Francisco CA, BRS Media (www.brsmedia.fm) is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters, the International Webcasting Association and the Webcaster Alliance. Listed as one of the fastest growing privately held companies by the SF Business Times and Inc. Magazine, its portfolio of Online properties includes: dotFM & dotAM, domain registrar of premium multimedia .FM and .AM domains; dotRadio, the new .RADIO top level domain for the On Air and Online Community; iDotz.Net domain registrar of all gTLD domains (.com, .net, .org), as well as, boutique domains (.tv .la, .im, .vc & .mn); @Radio.FM & @Radio.AM, free Web based email services and the ever-popular Web-Radio, the leading portal for “tuning in” Radio on the Internet. dotFM, dotAM and dotRadio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of BRS Media, Inc.

Minds + Machines has some interviews posted with our founders that have a wealth of information about the domain name industry, the new TLD process, DNSSEC, IDN, and an overview of the domain name business. There are some insights into the relationship between CoCCA and Minds + Machines, what we’re doing with capacity grants and Espresso CC.

Over the last few months we’ve been assisting CoCCA founder Garth Miller to help developing-nation country-code top-level domains upgrade their knowledge and infrastructure through the Minds + Machines Capacity Building and Grant Program. This program has so far funded regional workshops in southern Africa and the airfares to attend them, along with knowledge-transfer programs between regional ccTLDs. In addition, as we continue to improve the Espresso registry platform, we have introduced Espresso CC for country-code top-level domains, a high-quality EPP registry services platform for ccTLDs.

Today we’re happy to announce that Madagascar (.MG) has upgraded to the Espresso CC (country-code) registry platform.

To quote from the news page at CoCCA:

The Madagascar Network Information Center ( NIC-MG ) has completed their migration to the Espresso CC EPP registry platform…. NIC-MG has deployed a state of the art registry system, deployed a Whois server and is in the process of requesting ICANN update the the .mg ROOT-SERVER records to include anycast technology for maximum redundancy.

NIC-MG registry system will soon have off-site fail-over and escrow. DNSSEC is being studied with a view to deploy in the first quarter of 2010.

The changes in the technology being utilized by NIC-MG will be accompanied by a review of policy and procedures to address abuse of intellectual property rights, cyber-crime and protection of the public interest. The new system will allow local 24/7 registration and updates through various registrars, local ISP’s and other technology companies.

The complete manual for Espresso, our registry platform, is now available online. The online manual features each and every screen that a new top-level domain registry operator will use in day-to-day administration, along with helpful explanatory appendices and diagrams. As Espresso evolves and improves, the manual will be updated as well.

Please, have a look at the Espresso manual. Comments and questions welcome.

MINDS + MACHINES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE ARRANGEMENT WITH COCCA — MOST WIDELY DEPLOYED OPEN-SOURCE REGISTRY PLATFORM FOR COUNTRY-CODE EXTENSIONS TO BE ADAPTED TO NEW TOP-LEVEL DOMAINS FROM ICANN

MEXICO CITY (March 1, 2009). Minds + Machines has been granted the rights to the CoCCA registry software and the CoCCA brand for generic top-level domains. Minds + Machines will enhance the core code and features for new top-level domains and brand the platform as “Espresso,” which will be available in both hosted and locally-installed versions. CoCCA’s highly-praised work with country-code extensions will continue to be developed and made available to members of CoCCA to manage a ccTLD registry as a royalty-free open-source package.

The exclusive arrangement will mean very low prices for Espresso customers. By adding any of Minds + Machines’ consulting and marketing services, or services from Minds + Machines partners, new TLD applicants will be able to work with Minds + Machines to build their TLD cost-effectively.

“I’ve been watching use of CoCCA explode in country-code top-level domains. They’ve been winning because of their superior technology, low prices, and customer-first way of doing business,” said Antony Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “After seeing that other registry offerings were expensive and confusing, I was convinced that a partnership with CoCCA was the solution. I am very pleased to be able to begin from this great open-source foundation.”

“We are delighted with the arrangement,” said Garth Miller, head of Cocca Registry Services (NZ) Limited, the entity responsible the for development of the CoCCATools software on behalf of CoCCA Members “because it provides additional funding resources that will ensure that our software meets the challenges posed by the deployment of IDN TLDs, DNSSEC and other technologies required by our members.”

Minds and Machines will develop the CoCCA code and provide relevant improvements back to the open-source CoCCA codebase.

“More TLDs currently operate directly on CoCCA’s code than any other registry service provider,” said Minds + Machines COO, Jothan Frakes. “It is written in Java and adheres to the RFCs for registration, resolution, and whois information, works with IDN, IPv6, and DNSSEC over Anycast for DNS resolution and is secure and standards-based. It adds ease and elegance to registry operations, can be configured in an afternoon, has an existing channel of major registrars who are already contractually and technically integrated, and can be configured to work with any currency or language.”

For more information, contact Elaine Pruis at elaine[at]mindsandmachines.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOMAIN INDUSTRY LEADERS ANTONY VAN COUVERING, JOTHAN FRAKES AND ELAINE PRUIS LAUNCH “MINDS + MACHINES”—REGISTRY SERVICES COMPANY BASED ON COCCA PLATFORM WILL OFFER INEXPENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE SOLUTION FOR NEW TOP-LEVEL DOMAIN APPLICANTS.

MEXICO CITY (March 1, 2009). Domain name veterans Antony Van Couvering and Jothan Frakes announced today the formation of Minds + Machines, a domain name registry services company for new top-level domains (TLDs). Minds + Machines will offer full-service consulting (Minds) combined with Espresso, a top-tier domain registry software platform (Machines).

The Minds + Machines consulting solution extends from application to operations, and offers a full rebate of consulting fees from eventual registrations. Application preparation services, sales channel establishment, intellectual property protection (Sunrise Period) design, investment assistance, contention and objection resolution, staffing, ICANN liaison and other services will be offered. Minds + Machines has assembled a choice of best-of-breed partners into a complete registry package to make multiple vendors easy to manage. Auction services, DNS resolution, data escrow, trademark verification, design, and marketing partners are available to Minds + Machines clients, often at preferential rates.

Espresso, the Minds + Machines registry solution, is a cousin of CoCCA, the leading open-source solution used by dozens of country-code top-level domains and all the top ICANN registrars. Espresso extends the robust CoCCA platform to make it available to communities, organizations and entrepreneurs seeking to apply for a new top-level domain from ICANN.

“We’re cheaper, quicker, easier, stronger, and complete, as suggested by the Espresso brand,” said Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “After looking at all the current registry solutions, we saw a real opportunity to provide a better service. The combination of our consulting model, layered into CoCCA, which is a very inexpensive open-source software with a proven track record, is a key differentiator.”

Espresso is available as a hosted or locally-installed solution, and is customizable to any TLD business model. Espresso features an inexpensive flat “per registration” fee, with no setup fees and no lock-in. For corporations who envision just a few registrations, Minds + Machines offers an inexpensive setup fee and a low flat annual fee.

Minds + Machines has signed an exclusive agreement with CoCCA to provide Espresso to gTLDs, while CoCCA will continue to provide services to country-code TLDs. “We are thrilled that Antony, Jothan and Elaine are extending the CoCCA platform to the gTLD space by introducing Espresso,” said Garth Miller, CEO of CoCCA Tools. “This company launch will provide gTLDs applicants of all types and sizes an inexpensive and reliable alternative to existing legacy registry service operators.”

Espresso is fully compliant with ICANN requirements and has been thoroughly field-tested by over 20 currently-operating TLDs. “The Espresso platform fully supports key Internet standards related to registry operations, such as registration, resolution, and WhoIs, and works with important new standards like DNSSEC, IPv6, and IDN. The code is elegant. It is written in Java, can support any unicode language, is compatible with all major currencies, and can work with any of the anycast DNS providers,” says Jothan Frakes, Minds + Machines COO. “CoCCa, Espresso’s cousin, is in use today by more root-listed TLDs than any other software, and has most of the planet’s registrars already integrated to our EPP API, so new TLDs added to Espresso benefit from the large base of current registrars. This means they can go to market quicker because the registrars have already done the technical integration.”

Contact: Antony Van Couvering at avc[at]mindsandmachines.com