How I Got Dave.ca

As I door knock, deliver flyers, attend events and speak with residents in Port Coquitlam I am asked a number of tough questions about policies, issues and my positions on various topics. That said, the number one question I am asked is, “How did you get the domain name Dave.ca?”.

With that in mind, here is the story.

I was given a T-shirt many years ago that had “DAVE – Digital Audio Video Entertainment” (or something like that). That shirt inspired me to look beyond the warmth of the 100% cotton shell covering and see who came up with that clever acronym. I looked up the company and found they were based in Toronto and had the domain Dave.ca. I took that piece of information and filed it away in my grey matter in case I ever needed it on a game show or something.

So, in the middle of December 2004, I cast my sight on that wonderful black T-shirt and said, “Dave, you should see how you – a guy named Dave – could make the Dave.ca your domain so you can, ah, do stuff with it.”  And with those words of inspiration, I looked up the contact information for the URL and placed a call to Toronto. The listed Webmaster was on vacation so I spoke to someone who I will refer to as “the guy I talked to”. TGIT2 gave me the private phone number and cell phone for a Vice President at Technicolor – the company who owned the company, who was once known as “DAVE – Dome Audio Video Entertainment” (or something like that). And yes, Technicolor is THAT Technicolor who is involved in the movie business where they, ah, tech the color of the, ah, movies.

With these numbers in hand – well more like on hand, ’cause if it was IN hand it would be down right painful. Any-who, I called Vice President John down in Cali-forn-i-a and had a conversation that went like this:

ME: John, my name is Dave and I live in Canada. I see you own Dave.ca and you are not using it. Can I have it?
JOHN: Sure. Send me an email with the details of this conversation and we’ll go from there.
ME: Ok. Thanks! Have a great day.
JOHN: You too.

Exhausted from these grueling negotiations, I typed out the email to John the VP and waited.

A few days later, I received an email from John the VP which basically said, “Dave I love you. You can have Dave.ca. Call me. We’ll do lunch.”

Over the next two-and-a-half months I dealt with a shocked webmaster who – and I am only guessing – was surprised that I was getting this domain at no cost and that I was garnering the affections of John the VP. Webmasters are like that. You see, when they are not busy creating excuses for not updating the website or surfing Facebook, they are pining for attention from Vice Presidents in Cali. It’s true. Ask your Webmaster – if you can find him / her.

So, in mid March 2005 the domain is transferred to me and I am able to create a website so you can read it on company time thus avoiding the possibility of your doing real work.

The lesson in all this? Do not be afraid to ask for something you want? Sure. But for me, I learned that a T-shirt with the name DAVE on it is REALLY cool.

Is the domain name Dave.ca for sale?

Right now – no. I have been offered over $50,000 for the domain and I have turned it down. Not solely for the reason the figure was not high enough but in addition, I just really like having Dave.ca as mine.