Sympathy Card
So this friend-of-a-friend...are you trying to tell us you are super-chums with Rebecca Brooks?
Google has revealed it is jockeying for a variety of top-level domains (TLDs) including .lol and .google. The ad giant went public with its plans on Thursday after ICANN's deadline passed for applications for new web address extensions. The search engine behemoth has applied for TLDs that include .youtube, .google and .lol, …
I just don't understand this domain name frenzy - I come to almost all websites either (a) via a search (generally quicker/more reliable to google Google's LOL channel than to type in what I remember of the address and probably land on some domain squatter instead) or (b) via an existing link/bookmark.
The evolution of browser interfaces emphasises this: originally there was just a URL field and searching was done by entering a search engine address, then a toolbar widget was added for a search dialog popup, then at last FireFox added the separate non-modal search field, and then Chrome merged the fields together, with the URL generally showing you where you are not what you're asking for.
...though as a belated thought, I guess owning the whole domain and having them bloody expensive addresses domain squatting. But using FF or Chrome after I've been to LOL a couple of times whatever actual address it has will become the top match when I start typing anyway. And if I tell my mate at the pub "hey check out dot-LOL" he'll probably bollix it up and try just "LOL" or "dotlol" and then either auto-search will save him or the browser will merrily suffix .com and send him back to a squatter.
So nope, doesn't seem like a cash cow. But then I'm the guy who sneered at the idea of "collectable phone cards" back in the day as being something nobody would fall for...
Personally I'd go for .wtf; that seems to have greater potential. El Reg could have a sub-site devoted entirely to its more incredulous observations - theregister.wtf. And you have lots of opportunities for subdomains, including with the aforementioned lol - lol.wtf... omg.lol.wtf/bbq ...
dotdavid is onto something to, of course; you could do variations as well. dot.dot.slash/dotslash/dot ... that'll keep the neophytes at bay.
Growing up in 'Norn Iron', I always associated LOL with the po-faced, bowler hat & sash wearing Orangemen, of 12th July marching fame. They have the acronym emblazoned on their sashes, banners, drums [and possibly underpants] –where it stands for 'Loyal Orange Lodge'.
The sight of ranks of possibly the most miserable, pinch-mouthed, taciturn folk on the planet, marching grim-faced through the streets, festooned in LOLs is a masterpiece of visual irony.