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specs/names.md

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+# Mycelium Names
+
+Mycelium Names is a global fair name system that provides addressing services within the TF Grid ecosystem. It operates on principles of decentralization, fairness, and community benefit, addressing the limitations of traditional DNS systems.
+
+## Core Principles
+
+- **Decentralized**: No central authority controls the naming system
+- **Fair Pricing**: Cost based on name length, with shorter names commanding higher prices
+- **Community Benefit**: 100% of revenue used for ecosystem development
+- **Sovereignty**: Users define their own names and administrators
+- **Scalability**: Designed to scale globally
+- **Geo-Awareness**: Queries return results from the closest location
+- **Load Balancing**: Distributes traffic across multiple sites based on location
+
+## How It Works
+
+### Name Structure
+
+- **Top Names**: Format of `xxxx.yyyy`
+  - Price depends on the length of both segments
+  - Shorter names (vanity names) are more expensive
+  - Names with 8+ characters in each segment are nearly free
+  - Each name is globally unique
+- **Circle Names**: 
+  - Top names link to a Circle and its administrators
+  - Edge names are stored per circle
+  - Can be any depth (subdomains)
+  - Updates are frictionless and free
+
+### Technical Implementation
+
+- Name services are built into the TF Grid infrastructure
+- Replicated across all subnets for redundancy and performance
+- Queries are resolved to the nearest geographic location
+- Load balancing automatically distributes traffic for busy sites
+- Supports unlimited subdomains with efficient updates
+
+### Administration Model
+
+- Each person can define their own names
+- Multiple administrators can be assigned (more than 1)
+- Decentralized governance prevents single points of control
+- Community-driven development and improvement
+
+## Pricing Model
+
+- **Pricing Factors**:
+  - Length of name segments (shorter = more expensive)
+  - Registration period (longer periods may offer discounts)
+  - Renewal fees follow the same pricing structure
+- **Examples**:
+  - Very short names (3-4 characters): Highest price point
+  - Medium-length names (5-7 characters): Moderate pricing
+  - Long names (8+ characters): Nearly free, accessible to all
+- **Payment**:
+  - Paid in [TFP Points](./tfp.md) through the mutual credit system
+  - TFP flow from name registrants to the TF COOP
+
+## Comparison to Traditional DNS
+
+| Aspect | Traditional DNS | Mycelium Names |
+|--------|----------------|---------------|
+| **Control** | Centralized (ICANN, registrars) | Decentralized (community) |
+| **Pricing** | Often arbitrary, high margins | Fair, based on name length |
+| **Revenue Use** | Profit for registrars | 100% for community benefit |
+| **Geographic Awareness** | Limited (CDNs as add-ons) | Built-in geo-awareness |
+| **Load Balancing** | Requires additional services | Native functionality |
+| **Subdomain Management** | Often requires technical knowledge | Frictionless, user-friendly |
+
+## Benefits for Users
+
+- **Affordability**: Everyone can access a name they can afford
+- **Sovereignty**: Control over your own namespace
+- **Performance**: Geo-aware resolution improves speed
+- **Reliability**: Replicated across the network for high availability
+- **Simplicity**: Easy management of domains and subdomains
+- **Fairness**: Transparent pricing based on objective criteria
+
+## Integration with TF Grid
+
+- Seamlessly works with Mycelium Gateways for web access
+- Integrates with all other TF Grid services
+- Essential component of the mutual credit [TFP](./tfp.md) system
+- Enables discovery of services and resources across the grid
+