I have a funny feeling this year is going to be fantastic. I’ve just introduced my retired parents to the Internet and set them up with a laptop. (These are the same parents who always made me drive the microwave when we first got one.) Before I know it Mum’s online researching her family history and checking out some of Maggie Barrie’s online fact sheets. I’ve also set up her address book in Outlook with all the email addresses in the family including some of her Grandchildren. If you can’t beat em… join em!

With the recent changes to the NZ domain name registry, there is now increased competition for your domain name business. The SRS, Shared Registry System, is the replacement for the registry that was originally run by Domainz. With this change we now have increased competition and therefore more flexibility and benefits for the Domain Name owner.

Instead of the Domain Name Holder ID and Password from Domainz being the important reference for ownership of your domain name, you now need a UDAI. Your UDAI is a Unique Domain Authentication Identifier and you will be issued one of these whenever you register a domain name. This number is also important if you ever need to make changes to your domain name especially if you are transferring to a new domain name manager. For example, a new customer approaches Strobe Net to manage their domain name and website requirements. For Strobe Net to transfer this domain name to their authority they would require the UDAI number to complete this transaction.

For customers remaining through Domainz, your Domain Name Holder ID and Password is still important as it allows you to log in to the Domainz website to maintain your details.

One of the benefits of the new registry is that we now have the flexibility to offer domain name registrations for longer than one year – in fact you can register for up to ten years. To celebrate this new found freedom, Strobe Net is offering a 10% discount special on .nz domain name registrations and renewals for periods of 5 years and over (offer expires 31st March 2003).

Register or renew for 5 years and pay only $179.95 + GST – saving $20 (original price was $199.75 + GST).
Register or renew for 10 years and pay only $359.50 + GST – saving $40 (original price was $399.95 + GST).

The benefits of registering for the longer period include:

• Save money and time
  
• No chance of losing your name during that period due to forgetting to renew
  
• Peace of mind

To register a new .nz domain name please visit http://www.strobe.net.nz/domain.htm

We can also renew a domain name under this special even, if it’s not up for renewal just yet without losing the time left until expiry. Send us an email to nzdomains@strobe.net.nz with the domain name and the period you wish to renew for. If you are not currently a Strobe Net client then email us and we will contact you with details on how to become a Strobe Net client – obligation free.

Statistics of Interest

** Over $13B Spent Online in 2002 Holiday **

Both the eSpending Report (from Goldman, Harris and Nielsen) and Jupiter Research reported this week that online retail sales during the 2002 holiday season surpassed $13 billion.

** President Signs 'Dot-Kids' Legislation **

President Bush has signed legislation that seals off a G-rated "neighbourhood" for kids on the World Wide Web. The Dot-Kids Implementation and Efficiency Act creates a dot-kids domain within America's dot-us addressing space. Web sites bearing kids.us addresses will need to abide by the child-friendly standards established by the US Congress.

Quote of the Month

“I believe in getting into hot water; it keeps you clean.”
G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

Remember if you have any queries or would like assistance - please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Have a great month

Amanda and the Strobe Net team.