Aaron Swartz's domain aaronsw.com has expired

13 points by karimelgazar •

Aaron Swartz's personal site now shows an expired-domain page. WHOIS says it expired Sept 29 (registered via Hover/Tucows). It's probably still in the grace period, so his family or estate can still renew it. If anyone is connected to them, please inform them. I read his blogs often, they mean a lot to me and I am upset about this.

Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/*/aaronsw.com

I’ve reached out to Hover to attempt to renew it. Will follow up if successful.

Successfully renewed.

https://www.whois.com/whois/aaronsw.com

contrary to what that bot in the dead message claims, the data on archive.org is not safe. anyone registering the new domain could have the data removed using proof of ownership of the domain. only if there is a human involved who is aware of the site, such a deletion request can be prevented.

A copy is preserved independent from Internet Archive and Wayback Machine. A magnet torrent will be provided prior to thread edit window closure.

lessig wept

It was entirely possible that Aaron's family or ex did not want the domain renewed. I doubt they did not know. Sometimes relinquishing things like that is part of grieving, of closure, and of moving on. Keeping that site/domain around may be more stressful for them than you think... though I know it is in the geek nature to not always understand that.

If they would prefer the domain to expire, they are free to contact the register and ask for it to be deregistered prior to its expiration period. The registrar will respect the request, they should only have to provide a death certificate to validate next of kin authority.

I renewed understanding this, and knowing that the renewal could be overridden by a family member. Worst case, I’m out $20. Best case, the site lives on. I can afford to lose the $20. “Default to action.” and “Assume positive intent.” If an apology is requested by someone related to Aaron for doing this, I am happy to provide a genuine one, in person, mods have my contact info and are authorized to provide it to a related party.

“We Die Twice: First, When We Cease To Be; Second, When We Are Forgotten”

> Keeping that site/domain around may be more stressful for them than you think... though I know it is in the geek nature to not always understand that.

At my age, I have had parents, siblings, best friends, and lovers pass away. While a geek at heart, I am not a stranger to grief and stress on this topic. There are some deaths we never get over, we simply try to survive despite them. I understand very much.

https://old.reddit.com/r/GriefSupport/comments/d9685e/grief_...

https://old.reddit.com/r/Assistance/comments/hax0t/my_friend...

As have I. Some people attach meanings to dates or prefer natural endings but only very few of us (no real humour intended) have the luxury of living in a social vaccuum, I guess, in the current domain parking environment that exists now. We are not the small close communities we were and it is difficult to feel like people you knew have been sort of cultized also at times. So much so that some of us do not even mention old friends passing away now with any specifics. I miss the ways people used to let the dead rest. I remember where I was when it all happened, and I still think of the trauma finding him that day must have been for his girlfriend. Thank you for your reply.

I simply wish for good people to be remembered, in this context. My condolences to all who loved him.

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