Apologies for cross-posting: Check http://www.whatdomain.org/
The WEB's new neighborhoods
Over the next two years more than 1,400 new top-level domains will come online, each a new neighborhood. Think you have places to go now? Wait until you see what’s coming.
Some new top-level domains will invite anyone to register a domain for any purpose. Need a laugh or want to spread some laughter? Visit a .lol website, or set up your own. Interested in motherhood? .mom is there for you. And there will be hundreds more to choose from.
We've discussed country code domains like .ca or .de. We’ll soon be able to get even more specific with domains related to a specific geography such as a city (visit.boston) or region (wine.aquitaine).
Some of the new top-level domains are intended for websites created by members of specific professions, communities, or interests. Looking for a lawyer? A website ending in .esq will signify a certified legal professional. Similarly, .ngo will be reserved for non-governmental organizations’ websites, and .catholic and .shia for sites representing those religious communities.
Numerous companies have applied for closed top-level domains and will have complete control over what websites to make available on them. These are usually recognized brand names, like .montblanc or .gucci. When you visit a website on a closed top-level domain, you can be certain that it’s authorized and overseen by that brand.
The new generation of top-level domains will start launching in the fall of 2013 and continue rolling out through 2015. We appreciate your time and interest in learning about this major change coming to the Internet and hope that you’ll find some great new places online, and maybe a new home of your own.