How Domain Name Registration Works

Domain name registration is neither expensive nor a difficult task. This article will help you in explaining the basics of domain name registration.

First of all, you have to be clear about which domain name extension you need to use during the domain name registration. If you want to run your website for commercial use, then you should go for a .com extension. If it is for a nonprofit organization then you may choose a .org one. Other availabilities are .net, .info, and .biz. Some extension could not be used by general public unless proper authorization is achieved. .edu and .gov are two of them.

Once you have decided upon the selection of the extension, you need to see whether the domain name that you desire is available or not. In order to do this, you can use a site like nameboy.com. There are many others that would let you search for a domain name. They are easy to use. You have to simply enter the name that you have chosen and see what you get in return. This would let you know whether is desired name is available or not. if the name is already taken, then you will receive a list of suggestions that are similar to the name you entered. Hopefully you may be able to make up your mind for one of them.

The next step is the actual domain name registration. You are strongly advised to select a well known registrar so that the chances of having customer service issues down the road are decreased. To compare different registrar, you can search for reviews of different domain name registration companies and see what others are saying about them. In this way you can judge which one of them is better for you. Most of the registrar will charge you less than $10 so does not pay more than that. After picking up your registrar, just follow the procedure on their website. This procedure will require you to fill a form with your personal information and then pay them their fee via credit card. As you are giving them your private information so it is important that you opt for the privacy policy. Most of the registrar will offer you with the option either free or charge a minimal fee.

You have to be careful when typing your domain name as if typed incorrectly, it will become yours and most of the registrars do not have a refund policy and thus you have to pay once again for it.

After submitting the form, you are done with your part and the remaining process will be completed by the registrar. It may take a couple of days for the process to complete in full.

I'm thankful for ... the Lions' pursuit of woe-and-16 (Sports Illustrated)

Deep down, I never thought Miami would lose every game last year. I have waited all my life for an 0-16 football team -- it's a hobby of mine -- and it just seemed clear the Dolphins just were not it. Oh sure, they had it going for a little while there -- 13 straight losses to start the year -- but I don't know, it always seemed like there was something a little too sturdy about those Dolphins.

In the radiance of Master Charles at Synchronicity sanctuary (The Virginian-Pilot)

Editor's note: This story about the Synchronicity Foundation's sanctuary in Virginia was originally published Oct. 5, 2003, in The Virginian-Pilot. Alan Scherr, then president of the foundation, was killed in the Nov. 26, 2008, attacks on Mumbai, India, along with his daughter Naomi.  

We are thankful for ... (Press & Sun-Bulletin)

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is upon us, and our readers tell us, and you, what is dear to their hearts.

Gmail 'vulnerability' turns out to be phishing scam (CNET)

Probe into reports that a vulnerability was being used to hijack domains instead finds a scheme to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

Spam Volumes Expected to Rise with Botnet Resurrection (Washington Post)

Spam volumes could rise considerably over the next few days now that one of the world's largest networks of compromised computers used for blasting out junk e-mail was brought back to life tonight. The "Srizbi" botnet, a collection of more than half a million hacked PCs that were responsible for relaying approximately 40 percent of all spam sent worldwide, was knocked offline two weeks ago due ...