The People At Traffic DownUnder 2008 – Part 1

A number of attendees have asked for copies of my photos. I’ve got a “Traffic DownUnder 2008″ set at Flickr. Go crazy kids!

Here we have myself and Ron from NamePros as well as Jessica and Jen. Of course, as the night progressed, more red wine, white wine, cocktails and beer was consumed.

Then Jonathan Frakes dropped by to say hello. Given the fact he was drinking VB (and I’m not in the movie) I thought it was worthy of posting. Incidentally, Jonathan had a great speech at TRAFFIC; and for those that don’t know him, he is one hell of a nice guy. I’ll post the presentation as soon as I receive it.

Enjoy

Aftermarket Premium Auction – LIVE from Traffic DownUnder 2008

Here we go – live from TRAFFIC. All names are in US$ including .com.au’s

• exhilarating.com – starting price $3,500 – SOLD $3,500
• hunting.com.au – starting price $1,850 – SOLD $1,850
• DentalPolicy.com – starting price $500 – SOLD $500
• JobListings.com.au – starting price $3,000 – passed in
• HispanicKids.com – starting price $500 – passed in
• UnderGraduate.com.au – starting price $500 – SOLD $1,500
• BirthStoneJewelry.com – starting price $400 – SOLD $500
• NightScape.com – starting price $3,500 – SOLD $3,500
• BusinessFirms.com – SOLD $500
• 2o.com – starting price $8,5000 – SOLD $8500
• camp.com.au – starting price $351 – SOLD $2,600 (Congrats Dan)
• newTLD.com – starting price $1,800 – passed in at $1,500
• stealin.com – no reserve – SOLD $101
• IndianaHome.com – starting price $1933 – passed in at $1,800
• migrant.com – starting price $3,500 – SOLD $3,700
• jackets.com.au – starting price $200 – SOLD $3,000
• PersonalChauffeur.com – starting price $102 – SOLD $202
• barbecuing.com.au – starting price $500 – SOLD $500
• blackcherry.com – starting price $6,000 – SOLD $6,000
• landdownunder.com – starting price $1,100 – SOLD $2,100 (ausadmin)
• essays.com.au – starting price $150 – SOLD $1,600 (Dan)

• Card-Processing.com – starting price $500 – SOLD $800
• BikeRims.com – starting price $1,500 – SOLD $3,000
• SurfingLessons.com.au – starting price $135 – $2,200
• GourmetStores.com – starting price $300 – $1,200

• camera.co.uk – starting price $15,000 – SOLD $35,000
• CheckRegistry.com – starting price $51 – SOLD $101
• InsuranceOffers.com – starting price $350 – SOLD $1,600 (hawkmoon)
• shout.com.au – starting price $1,000 -  SOLD $1,000 (Dan)
• ThisDay.com – starting price $24,000 – Passed In
• Veg.as – starting price $201 – SOLD $350
• SafariAdventure.com – starting price $400 – SOLD $1,800
• refrigerate.com starting price $3,500 – SOLD $4,500
• BookTemplates.com – starting price $0 – SOLD $550
• DownloadIt.com – starting price $5,000 – SOLD $5,000

• Income.info – starting price $600 – SOLD $2,100 Ron Jackson
• CheckoutLane.com – starting price $151 – SOLD $151
• StartingCapital.com – starting price $1,100 – SOLD $1,300
• BusinessFinancials.com – starting price $150 – SOLD $1,400 (Eastbeck)
• iUS.com – starting price $25,000 – Passed in.
• rules.com.au – starting price $51 – SOLD $700
• sello.com – starting price $4,000 – passed in
• nocalorie.com – starting price $51 – SOLD $400
• PassYourTime.com – starting price $300 – SOLD $300
• Carpenters.net – starting price $6,722 – passed in
• Toons.com.au – starting price $500 – SOLD $500
• LightGauge.com – starting price $1 – SOLD $301

We have taken a 5 minute break due to computer problems with the auction provider.

There appears to be a sync issue with online bids vs bidders in the room.

• ImageViewer.com – starting price $1,500 – SOLD $2,400 (Eastbeck)
• CreativeSoftware.com – starting price $300 -  SOLD $500
• DigitalVideos.com – starting price $5,000 – passed in
• Jeweller.com.au – starting price $1,557 – SOLD $9,200
• Athletic.com.au – starting price $2,000 – passed in
• HotMag.com – starting price $51 – SOLD $500
• ebon.com – starting price $1,995 – SOLD $1,995
• HandicapShop.com – starting price $450 – SOLD $800 (hawkmoon)
• Southwest.asia – starting price $51 – SOLD $101 (eastbeck)
• ExamServices.com – starting price $2,000 – passed in.
• Knit.com.au – starting price $101 – SOLD $700
• ClearanceHouse.com – starting price $2,000 – SOLD $2,000 (eastbeck)
• TaxDownloads.com – starting price $101 – SOLD $151
• Laughter.com.au – starting price $2,000 – passed in
• Coed.com – starting price $50,000 – passed in

The auction skipped a number of items to focus on .com.au domain names. Continues:

• MensClothing.com.au – starting bid $750 – SOLD $4,000
• CDs.com.au – starting bid $750 – SOLD $2,000.
• branding.com.au – starting bid $330 – SOLD $2,500
• authentication.com.au – starting bid $500 – SOLD $500
• Pollution.com.au – starting bid $228 – SOLD $3,000
• enter.com.au – starting bid $2,000 – passed in
• plans.com.au – starting bid $300 – SOLD $2,700 (dougs)
• parasailing.com.au – starting bid $150 – SOLD $1,700
• dirtbiking.com.au – starting bid $500 – SOLD $500
• JetSkiing.com.au – starting bid $101 – SOLD $2,000
• Bake.com.au – starting bid $306 – SOLD $800 (Narkov)
• broadcasting.com.au – starting bid $1,500 – SOLD $2,000
• up.com.au – starting bid $971 – SOLD $2,500 (Narkov)

It appears that other bids come through after the gavel dropped.

• saws.com – starting bid $52,000 – SOLD $52,000
• privateresort.com – starting bid $1,500 – SOLD $1,700

As we ran out of time it was reported that the auction will remain open post this event for online bidders.

TRAFFIC DownUnder 2008: My Thoughts So Far

The staff and management at Fabulous have put on a fantastic show thus far. The entire team should be congratulated. Like everyone, I had my own thoughts on what it would be like, and the organizers have more than exceeded my expectations.

At this point, I want to say another “thank you” to all the people who have taken the time over the past few days to post comments on the blog and email me, with their appreciation for covering the conference. Out of all the emails and comments, I’m constantly being asked one question “What do you think of the conference?” Even though it’s close to 1.30am, I thought I’d give you a run down.

Here are some of the pros and cons for me. Now I’m not someone that goes to all the domaining conferences. I’d never previously attended a TRAFFIC conference, I’m not a conference junkie, so please factor that in when you read the following:

Pros

• The venue is great – accommodation, gym, facilities, food, staff, the lot. The above picture was taken from my room, it looks out over the ocean. You can hear the waves – very peaceful.
• The quality of the speakers and their presentations is quite good.
• There was something for everyone as the presentations were aimed at all levels of knowledge. This was spot on, considering the cross section of domainers; some are techos, others have very limited or no technology skills, others are more business focused.
• You get to meet everyone in person. The people on NamePros, DNF, company CEO’s, their sales and biz dev guys.
• Great representation across the industry. eg: Sedo, Parked, NameDrive, Moniker, Namejet the list goes on.
• You get to ask all those questions directly to the people who can answer them. For me, some of those tricky parking questions I’ve been thinking about for months, have now been answered – its a big relief.

Cons

• The weather – its raining again! We can’t control that unfortunately.
• There are a very small number of people with very big egos. You just have to laugh.

So, would I go to another conference? Yes, without a doubt. Although I’d want to make sure it was some months away from this one. As domainers, we need to ensure that we actually DO the things we talk about, otherwise its just noise.

Most important of all, we all have limited time on this planet and need to prioritise and ensure that we focus on the things that matter. For me, domaining is a means to an end. Domaining shouldn’t consume your life, so stop reading this and go talk to your family, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, kids, parents, friends or someone that matters to you. Tell them you appreciate them.

Divyank Turkhia – Owning Your Own Registrar – D2S1 – Live from Traffic DownUnder 2008

Divyank Turkhia is the President Directi. The presentation is quite fast paced, so I’ll try to keep up with the most valuable information.

What’s the wholesale price including ICANN fees?

• .com $7.06
• .net $5.18
• .org $6.95
• .biz $6.62
• .info $6.95
• .name $6.20

Registrar Landscape

• 75% of all registrars have < 5000 domain names each.

Risks Of Not Owning Your Own Registrar

• Juristiction risks. eg: Kentucky, cost of litigation.
• Probability of law suit
• False spam and AUP violation complaints
• Domain renewal risks
• Fraudulent legal notices sent to registrars.

Important Point: Every registrar gets a 45 day auto-renew grace period (AGP).

Privacy of Information

• Not based on Privacy laws of the registrars juristiction, but based on processes set by the registrar

Primary Advantages Of Owning Your Own Registrar

• Maximum security and privacy
• Access to all registry promotion programs
• Domains at cost
• Ultimate control and complete autonomy
• Participation in new TLD launches (landrush and sunrise)
• Ability to make use of a domain during the entire AGP period. Increases liquidity and reduces cost.
• Registrar level transfer locks

Dinner and Drinks at TRAFFIC DownUnder 2008

Find out what happens after dark when the beautiful people get together. Well the ones I can show you anyway.

www.flickr.com Domainer Income’s Traffic DownUnder 2008 photoset

Mike Fiol on Community Development – TRAFFIC Downunder 2008

Mike is the Managing Director / Analyst at DomainConsultant.com. Some key points from his presentation include:

• The creation of a big booming voice.
• Create an Political Action Committee with a shock and awe approach
• Create a Labor Union with a focus on creating a “bill of rights”.
• The industry needs a figurehead.

The industry has a huge base of individuals who when combined could serve as a powerful community.

Creating a successful community requires implicit involvement of the industry as a whole. It must not be a vehicle to drive competition. It should drive action and sales and education. It should serve to protect the individual owner while reaching out to a new generation of leadership.

The presentation reminded me about the good old days of the Internet where we had a bunch of people with no direction. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Live From Trafic DownUnder 2008 – Day 1 Activities

As you know, I was here a month ago basking in the glorious sun. Would you believe that its pouring with rain? What the?!?!!

Today was all about the activities. I chose Lemans Go Karting (yep in the rain). Here are the results from a race with my “Yellow Team”

1. Kathleen 55:08
2. Craig R 55:39
3. Simon (me) 55:41
4. Dan K 56:88
5. Jochen 56:88
6. David H 57.25
7. Greg 59.08
8. Tim C 61.34

I’ve included below a few photos and quick movies. Wave to the camera kids!