Internet porn has been a nuisance to some, while others actually want to see it. Applications recently submitted by 10 different organizations — all of which are interested in sponsoring new Internet domains — could finally end this problem. Such categorized domain names will help regulate material on the Internet allowing users to block different kinds of information (pornography, for example).

According to the Associated Press, the new suffix put aside for specific industries or interest groups will have a $45,000 price tag. The deadline for this fee, along with the application, was Tuesday.

Public comment on these applications will be accepted from April 1 through April 30 according to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. An independent panel is scheduled to meet in May and will further review these applications. The panel will also take the public’s comments into consideration. If the panel does approve the applications, then ICANN will begin negotiating specific conditions and terms with each individual domain registry operator.

If approved, the nine domains, including jobs, mail and .xxx, could be active by the end of 2004. Unlike commonly found domains today, such as .com and .org, Internet address with new suffixes would be available to any consumer that meets requirements determined by the groups sponsoring them. For those who want a Web site or e-mail address with one of the new endings, an application for approval would have to be sent to the group who administers the domain.

In addition to adding organization to the ever-expanding Internet, these new domain names could help regulate what is or isn’t appropriate to be viewed. For example, putting all the pornographic Web sites under the .xxx domain would make it much easier for parents, libraries and universities to block these Web sites. Those who wish to see it would remain free to do so.

From the moment the Internet was introduced, the useful resource rapidly expanded. Adding more domains will help to keep all the information available on the net in a more organized fashion, creating less confusion for users.