People are reacting because when KMOS (in the person of Garry Hare) arrived on the scene we got the impression that the company was at least competent, if not completely clued in to the details. Many people, it seems, are hoping that's true, that this isn't just another outfit that, keeping to Amiga tradition, will do nothing with the Amiga IP except screw up.
I don't know how many other people feel this way, but since KMOS and Garry Hare's arrival, after hearing *his* side of various controversies and *his* explanations of events and his future plans, I've watched to see how close the reality reflects the words. I haven't seen anything yet that doesn't reinforce my initial skepticism.
The fact that the T-shirts still haven't been shipped (true, not a big deal in itself, but a test case for his credibility and his company's competance and intentions), no announcements or Web site updates made (even ones said to be coming, IIRC), and now the expiration of the domain registration seem to paint an increasingly sad picture.
I can't imagine a company intentionally letting its domain name get away. The cost is minimal and paying it keeps the domain out of others' hands even if the company has no immediate use for it. And I assume even without a Web presence, KMOS would be using e-mail and would want the domain name for that. Can a company operate these days, especially in tech-related markets, without e-mail? 'Explanations' by supporters that I've read seem quite naive or desperate. If KMOS intends to be a going concern, is there any good business reason to let the name go?
It's still possible that the registration can be salvaged by the company, depending on the registrar's policy.
-- gary_c
