Well, I opted for godaddy.com and I've got DNS pointed at my server, though the MX record is still pointed at thier stuff. I'll have to do a little reading before I try to make any changes to that, as I'll have to update the configuration on my VMS server. I must say, I'm very happy to finally get avanthar.com :^) Zane

It was thus said that the Great Roger Merchberger once stated: I also use Dotster and have no complaints about them, and yes, managing multiple domains is quite easy with them. I also host my own DNS, website and email do I can't say anthing about their non-registrar offerings. -spc (Price wise, they are about mid-ranged ... )

Tom Jennings wrote: Network Solutions != Verisign. At one time Network Solutions was both the registry operator and a registrar. Verisign bought them. Then Verisign spun the registrar operations back of as an independent Network Solutions again. So you can't avoid Verisign, at least for .com and a few other TLDs, though you don't deal with them directly. But you can and should avoid Network Solutions. I don't think there's any reason to believe that Network Solutions is any more stable and permanent than any other registrar. If Network Solutions went under (please!), it would only be a minor inconvenience to the people who have registered through them. Under those conditions, I think it's a fairly safe bet that the registry operator would temporarily defer imminent expirations of domains registered through that registrar in order to avoid problems with the resulting large volume of domain transfers. Since the registry operator is inherently a monopoly, that's the point of failure I'd worry about. If your registrar (such as Network Solutions) goes under, you can transfer your domain to another registrar. But if the registry operator (such as Verisign) goes under, we're all screwed. In practice your domain wouldn't go away immediately, because only the registry operator can tell the TLD name server to drop your domain. In this unlikely event, ICANN and/or the U.S. Commerce Department would select a new registry operator to replace the failed one. They would probably pick one of the existing registy operators for other TLDs, since that would minimize the disruption to the whole system. I'm a bit biased, but I don't think there's any good reason to have domains registered through Network Solutions, and there are many good reasons not to. For those that may be confused by the terminology: TLD: Top-level domain. There are gTLDs and ccTLDs. gTDL: Generic top-level domain. Not country-specific. Originally they all were three-character abbreviations, but now some are longer. Examples are .com, .org, .net, .info, .name, .museum, .biz, .int, etc. ccTLD: Country-code TLDs, under control of specific country. Examples are .us (United States), .ca (Canada), .uk (United Kingdom), .de (Germany), .fr (France), etc. registry operator: The entity that maintains the actual registry (database) and generates the updates to the zone files that are served by the TLD zone servers (one step down from the root DNS servers). The registry operators usually do not sell directly to the public, and may even be contractually obligated to not do so. It is *VERY* difficult to set up a new registry, as ICANN must approve a new TLD, and choose you to run it. Requires Really Big Bucks (tm), lots of political pull, and knowing what to kiss and when. Verisign is the registry operator for the .com and .net gTLDs, and the .cc and .tv ccTLDs. registrar: An entity that contracts with the registry operator to sell domains (and renewals) to resellers and/or the public. Fairly high entry barrier, requires moderately big bucks, bonding, etc., but fundamentally anyone meeting the requirements can do it. Examples: OpenSRS/Tucows, Network Solutions reseller: An entity that contracts with a registrar to purchase domain service at a wholesale rate and resell to the public. Anyone can do this with a simple contract; there exist registrars that only require a $500 commitment up front; maybe some require even less. Most ISPs are also domain resellers. Eric

I think that there should be a ".hacker" TLD. Except that in practice it would be full of "l33t" bozos rather than true hackers. So it's probably for the best that there isn't one.

As someone registered with Network Solutions ... I agree. Mine was more historical, as the registrar I was originally with got bought out. I have not been pleased with NetSol's customer service, but it would be an inconvenience to pull up stumps at the moment, and at least things work. However, I would not buy from them again. -- ---------------------------------- personal: http://www.armory.com/~spectre/ -- Cameron Kaiser, Floodgap Systems Ltd * So. Calif., USA * ckaiser(a)floodgap.com -- You told me to get a life. May I take yours? -- "Scream V" -----------------

----- Original Message ----- From: Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 5:28 PM Subject: Re: Domain Name Registration [snip] Okay, so can someone tell me why -- suddenly -- a whois on my domain name -- acme-sales.net -- does not show any of my contact information? It did before, but something has changed. Glen 0/0

In message <41C5E37D.2070808(a)mdrconsult.com> Doc Shipley <doc(a)mdrconsult.com> wrote: Yep - Nominet UK offer it - IIRC it's called "WHOIS Details Opt Out". I've got it active on my domain. I like to keep the distribution of my home address on a need-to-know basis, same as PIN numbers, passwords and such. [quote] $ whois philpem.me.uk Domain Name: philpem.me.uk Registrant: Philip Pemberton Registrant's Address: THE REGISTRANT IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS ELECTED TO HAVE THEIR ADDRESS OMITTED FROM THE WHOIS DATABASE [endquote] Later. -- Phil. | Acorn Risc PC600 Mk3, SA202, 64MB, 6GB, philpem(a)philpem.me.uk | ViewFinder, 10BaseT Ethernet, 2-slice, http://www.philpem.me.uk/ | 48xCD, ARCINv6c IDE, SCSI ... Please think when you drink....