Re: [idn] host name vs. domain name

[Maynard Kang <maynard@pobox.org.sg>]

Sorry, now I am confused. As far as I can see, from what 2181 implies,
fruits have no problems with internationalization but some apples may go
bad. So why are we talking about internationalization of fruit when our
problem here is that only the apples are rotten?? 

If HTTP, SMTP and other essential protocols use apples, and the
character restrictions and whatever-else restrictions are only on
apples, we should call this working group "ihn" instead (or "iapples" if
you may) and not "idn".

I agree that there is a distinction between the two and that in order to
minimize confusion this distinction should be maintained. But I am not
so sure that it is entirely important for the purposes of what this
working group seeks to achieve.

Mark.Andrews@nominum.com wrote:
> 
> > Rather, I would agree with kent's idea shown below.
> > As I understand it, we are trying to get rid of the concept of host names
> > and use domains in telnet, web, etc. eventually.
> >
>         Host names are a subset of domain names.  The point I am trying
>         to make is people on this list are using the two term interchangably
>         and they are not.  There are domain names that are not host names
>         and that is a fact that you cannot change.
> 
>         When you are referring to the subset of domain names that refer to
>         hosts please use the term "hostname" or "host name".  When you are
>         referring to all domain names then use the term "domainname" or
>         "domain name".
> 
>         To put it a different way.  Apples and oranges are both fruit.
>         When you want to refer to fruit you use the word fruit.  When
>         you want to refer to the subset of fruit that are apples you
>         use the word apples.
> 
>         Host names are equivalent in this metaphor to apples.
>         Domain names are equivalent in this metaphore to fruit.
> 
>         We have people on this list say that all fruit should have
>         red/green skins, white flesh and black/brown seeds.  This
>         is what happens when you use the wrong terms.
> 
>         Mark
> --
> Mark Andrews, Nominum Inc. / Internet Software Consortium
> 1 Seymour St., Dundas Valley, NSW 2117, Australia
> PHONE: +61 2 9871 4742                 INTERNET: Mark.Andrews@nominum.com