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mattmarshall · Jul 25, 2002, 11:01 PM

hello.

i'm thinking about registering a domain name, since Apple is taking away my personal web space and email...but, i'm a bit clueless about the process.

i guess i'll start at the beginning--registering a domain. there are a number of cheap ways to go to get this accomplished. godaddy.com, for example, offers domain registration for 8 dollars. but, i don't think i fully understand what domain registration is. let's say i use them to sign up, and then they go bankrupt in two years. will i lose my domain? what if i use them to sign up, and they raise re-registration rates significantly, can i re-register my name in the future with another company?

i guess my main question is, once you've registered your domain, what role do these registration companies actually play?

thanks a lot

-matt

Ludovic Hirlimann · Jul 26, 2002, 01:54 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by mattmarshall:
hello.

i guess my main question is, once you've registered your domain, what role do these registration companies actually play?

thanks a lot

-matt<hr /></blockquote>They maintain the DNS which will tell all other DNS services where your DNS is.

Simon Mundy · Jul 26, 2002, 02:00 AM

Be careful who you register with! I can't stress it enough.

When you pay for your registration, be sure the company is a member of <a href="http://www.corenic.org" target="_blank">http://www.corenic.org</a> who 'police' the domain database.

Usually what happens (as did in my case) that I bought a domain name through my ISP, who in turn bought it from a dodgy registrar.

In theory, it's not a problem if I am personally sent my registrar key and passwords because I can redelegate the IP address of my domain name to any server I want via a web-based form. But if, say, I found a cheaper and/or better service-driven registrar, it can be a nightmare trying to transfer registration rights from one registrar to another. I won't go into the boring details of my particular case, suffice to say I need to perform backflips in order for my current registrar to 'allow' me to transfer my details to another host.

If things get REALLY bad you can usually get the corenic secretariat to step in and provide advice (and he's a nice chap too!) but if it's at that stage, it means you've already got more grief than you need.

Find out the registrar's code of conduct/policies before you commit to a purchase. And don't use a middle-man for your transaction - go straight to the source and keep your details close to your chest!

All these registrars do is provide a legitimate method of leasing a domain name - you 'own' it in the sense that you're actually renting space for an allocated time - 1,2, 5 10 years. It's up to you to work out how much you want to pay.

Cheers

Ludovic Hirlimann · Jul 26, 2002, 03:59 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by mattmarshall:

i guess my main question is, once you've registered your domain, what role do these registration companies actually play?

thanks a lot

-matt<hr /></blockquote>By the way may I recommand <a href="http://www.gandi.net" target="_blank">www.gandi.net</a> .

ilukas · Jul 26, 2002, 05:28 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by mattmarshall:
hello.
let's say i use them to sign up, and then they go bankrupt in two years. will i lose my domain? what if i use them to sign up, and they raise re-registration rates significantly, can i re-register my name in the future with another company?<hr /></blockquote>you pay for your domain name "lease" in advance. 1,2,5,10 years, you choose. you have the preference when renewing the lease. if you don't renew before the paid-for period is over, your domain expires and you lose it. yes, you can re-register w/ another company (transfer domain).

<blockquote>quote:<hr />i guess my main question is, once you've registered your domain, what role do these registration companies actually play?<hr /></blockquote>they're only going to store the DNS info (which you can edit) so they can relay it to the rest of the internet.

in order to use your domain name you'll actually need hosting, or at least e-mail services and that's another thread.

one last thing: make sure the domain is registered in your name, not the company's name (i.e., you are the registrant)

CharlesS · Jul 29, 2002, 05:25 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Simon Mundy:
Be careful who you register with! I can't stress it enough.

When you pay for your registration, be sure the company is a member of <a href="http://www.corenic.org" target="_blank">http://www.corenic.org</a> who 'police' the domain database.

Usually what happens (as did in my case) that I bought a domain name through my ISP, who in turn bought it from a dodgy registrar.

In theory, it's not a problem if I am personally sent my registrar key and passwords because I can redelegate the IP address of my domain name to any server I want via a web-based form. But if, say, I found a cheaper and/or better service-driven registrar, it can be a nightmare trying to transfer registration rights from one registrar to another. I won't go into the boring details of my particular case, suffice to say I need to perform backflips in order for my current registrar to 'allow' me to transfer my details to another host.

If things get REALLY bad you can usually get the corenic secretariat to step in and provide advice (and he's a nice chap too!) but if it's at that stage, it means you've already got more grief than you need.

Find out the registrar's code of conduct/policies before you commit to a purchase. And don't use a middle-man for your transaction - go straight to the source and keep your details close to your chest!

All these registrars do is provide a legitimate method of leasing a domain name - you 'own' it in the sense that you're actually renting space for an allocated time - 1,2, 5 10 years. It's up to you to work out how much you want to pay.

Cheers<hr /></blockquote>What about godaddy.com, the registrar that the original poster mentioned? Are they worth looking at?

Simon Mundy · Jul 29, 2002, 05:32 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by CharlesS:
What about godaddy.com, the registrar that the original poster mentioned? Are they worth looking at?<hr /></blockquote>I have no idea - I use Australian registrars now to keep my domain as close to me as possible!