# 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