Domain name help

[Wookie]

I'm looking for a friend, they want to buy a domain name, as well as a list of about 10 - 20 other ones to get redirected to the main one.

Any suggestions of a good way to do this. A lot of the sites visited seem sketchy, or like they're trying to rip you off.

Thanks

[arsenal]

godaddy?

[FanIn80]

GoDaddy is pricey. For domain registrations, check out www.mydomain.com. I've been using them for a few years now, and they're fine. I have something like 80+ domains registered through them.

Hosting, on the other hand, is a different story. They're good for that too, but depending on your needs, you may need something else.

[photon]

I use domainsatcost.ca for .ca domains, but they're more expensive than regular .com etc domains.

[Wookie]

Okay, what's the difference between hosting and ummm... umm, not hosting?

[mykalberta]

I am not a webadmin but I think hosting means either that your website resides on GoDaddy servers ie hosted.

Or if you just get a domain name and then redirect it to your personal webserver IP address where you host the webserver.

host = resides = where the website lives

I think - I have 10 domain names and no websites - mostly comany/family names for future websites if I ever stop being lazy and learn how apply my many JAVA courses to good use

[Nancy]

Registering a domain name just gives you the name. Sorta like having a phone number but not actually having a phone. Once you have the domain name, you can either just park it, or pay to have it redirected to some other web site, or pay someone to let you host a website on their server, or host a web site on your own computer. To do the latter, you need a static IP address. (If you don't have a static IP address, e.g. you have a regular Shaw account, you also need to subscribe do a dynamic DNS service.)

[HOOT]

Why are ".jobs" or ".me" more expensive?

What makes them so much different than ".com" to make them cost more?

[Phaneuf3]

removed.

[llama64]

A domain register will "register" the name that you want. All this does is set a record in the master servers that control how the internet is addressed. Basically it's like declaring a street address.

A web host will allow you to setup a file system that can become a website at the domain you registered. Basically they handle the actual delivery of your web site content. Think of them as sort of a land lord.

Many web hosts also also domain name registration which can make things easier.

[photon]

Originally Posted by llama64

Many web hosts also also domain name registration which can make things easier.

Or harder as well, some hosts offer free domain names with hosting options, but if you need to switch hosts it can be very hard to get your domain name out of their hands.

I keep my domain names and hosting with different companies.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by photon

I keep my domain names and hosting with different companies.

Yep yep. It's usually a good practice to keep your domains registered with one company and your sites hosted by another.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Why are ".jobs" or ".me" more expensive?

What makes them so much different than ".com" to make them cost more?

Trend capitalism. They're a fad. Its just as easy to type .biz, .jobs, .tv, .me, or whatever as .com or .org as far as a computer cares.

I would, however, like to see all porn sites end with a .xxx

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

I would, however, like to see all porn sites end with a .xxx

Exactly. It would make it much easier to find them that way.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by photon

Or harder as well, some hosts offer free domain names with hosting options, but if you need to switch hosts it can be very hard to get your domain name out of their hands.

I keep my domain names and hosting with different companies.

Well to plug a place, I use Dreamhost for just about everything. I've transferred domains in and out of their system and hosting plans. Easiest process I've ever seen. No fuss, no bother.

If only they supported .ca domains.

[photon]

Yeah I've used dreamhost before, pretty good experiences.. Don't expect a ton from an overseller, but for what they are they are good.

I moved away from them because I had a lot of email problems with the email server going down a lot, for hours at a time every other day for a few weeks which makes it hard to do business.

Their support wasn't anything spectacular either, usually took 3-4 tries to get the right answer/result. I liked their attitude overall though and they were always nice to deal with.

With Cirtex hosting right now and they've been ok, though their support isn't that much better.

[dobbles]

i use godaddy. they weren't pricey at first but have gotten worse. i use them for a few domain names and a hosting account. i have some domains that point to my own servers that have DNS and hosting on them. i have found them very nice to work with. the one real asset is their tech support. they have actually been english speaking folks each time i call and are knowledgeable and helpful regardless of it being a technical question or account related question. they can be pricey, but put me down as a big supporter.

edit: don't forget i live in america. if you want a .ca domain, or they use different prices for you guys, i am not sure how that would play out...

[llama64]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah I've used dreamhost before, pretty good experiences.. Don't expect a ton from an overseller, but for what they are they are good.

I moved away from them because I had a lot of email problems with the email server going down a lot, for hours at a time every other day for a few weeks which makes it hard to do business.

Their support wasn't anything spectacular either, usually took 3-4 tries to get the right answer/result. I liked their attitude overall though and they were always nice to deal with.

With Cirtex hosting right now and they've been ok, though their support isn't that much better.

I've moved all my domain email off Dreamhost and into Google actually. It's pretty sweet! (if you like gMail that is). I'd almost recommend it for all domain hosters, if you can handle Google gaining yet another bit of your immortal soul.

Waaaaay more reliable then Dreamhost's native stuff. Even they basically admit it since they provide one click configuration to set your domain to use googles mail servers.