Last month, internet porn finally hit the big time with its own .XXX domain name. And if porn is that important, why not New York? At least two different campaigns have begun to create the .NYC domain, which would be used specifically for New York-related websites. And there are already t-shirts!
The first campaign is organized by Connecting.nyc Inc., who say a "carefully planned and managed .nyc TLD [top-level domain] will make it easier for both residents and visitors to locate city resources within a safe environment...The .nyc TLD says 'Made in New York City' and provides billions of New York City mindshare ads and improves our position in the Anholt City Brands Index." And since the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers said in 2008 that cities should be eligible to receive TLDs, they're hoping to get the domain established by 2013.
The .NYC Domain Extension is calling on Rachel Sterne, the city's new Chief Digital Officer, to help out. The application for a TLD costs $50,000, so they're asking people to spread the word by tweeting #thenycdomain and letting Sterne know. As Bowery Boogie shows, there is some gum-based support for the domain on the streets, and the Consulate General of Sweden is on board. We're just waiting until someone starts a campaign for the .BKN domain, because there's no way all those artisanal Brooklyn brands are going to want to be lumped in with those other boring boroughs.
