[d00d]

I was thinking about getting a domain name. Does anyone have any tips as far as that goes? Is it a good idea to buy it on your own instead of going through a hosting company? Any thoughts would be helpful.

[joetaxpayer]

Well, d00d, I've used Verisign/Network Solutions (outrageously expensive) and then eyeondomain which, for a small company, actually had great service.
I've started to use 1and1 ( http://www.1and1.com ) you can just buy the domain name and forward to a free server like geocities, or pay for hosting. If you have multiple names, you can use the one hosting fee to host up to 50 (i think) names. Check out their site, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.
JOE

[car1son]

I think it depends on whether you are just hosting a Web site , or plan other things such as mail and FTP services ; and whether you plan to host your own site, host the site on a third-party server, or host the site on the web hosting company. If you are planning on letting the hosting company run your site, then it's obviously simplest to let them go ahead and register the name. (Otherwise you have to transfer the registration to the many way , and in that case, you want to pick a Web hosting company that offers all the services you want on your website, perhaps Java, Perl or PHP access, a ready-made bulletin board or shopping cart, or mail forwarding.) If you've already set up a site, but it's on somebody else's server (such as your ISPs or .Mac), then you want to register with the service that can provide URL forwarding (since you can't register your ISPs server IP address with the DNS.) If you're running the server on your own system (and you have a static IP), then you can register the domain name with whoever's cheapest GoDaddy, Dotster,...) since you require no further services whatsoever.

[d00d]

I was going to get a web hosting company to serve my website once I got the name. I was concerned about the domain name being in their name should I decide to switch hosts down the road.

[joetaxpayer]

hmm... I see the point, but if the company's hosting service isn't good, do you still want them as your registrar? You'd have to set up the forwarding and it may appear as cloaked forwarding to the user.
I can privately give you two examples, but the bottom line is my forwarded site gets bookmarked by the user as geocities.com/joetaxpayer.....etc.com but the one's hosted at the registrar bookmark okay. Don't know if this detail matters to you. Or if my explanation made any sense.
JOE

[car1son]

The domain registration is actually in your name (if you query the owner of a domain name, you'll see the owner's name address as well as the "Registrar" Identity.) All Web hosting companies I've seen offer to transfer your "Registrar" designation to themselves, for a small fee (it's in their interest to encourage you, so they keep the cost down).
There was actually a segment on TechTV's The Screen Savers sometime last week about services they would let you register a domain name in their name, with them holding it in trust for you. This would be for the benefit of those who would prefer their name, address, and phone number not appear in the NIS database. I wonder how many domain name owners actually realize how easy it is to look up that information?

[joetaxpayer]

I don't mean to split hairs, but 'registar' is the company, verisign, godaddy, eyeondomain, etc.
'registrant' is me or d00d.

[d00d]

Well, Joe, that's my point. I'd rather have the domain name in my name so that if I do decide to pack up and move to another web host, I don't have to hassle with getting it back from them.
I'd rather not have domain forwarding. I find it sloppy and I'd prefer to avoid it altogether.
Car1son, I'm not sure that I care if my name is on the ownership. I'm more concerned about retaining ownership of my domain name even if I change web host.

[joetaxpayer]

I never realized this would get so confusing.
You must pick a registrar. They will sell you the use of the domain. You are the registrant.
Next, you decide who will host the web site, the registar you bought the domain from, or some other host. They can be the same, or not. You can forward to a paid host, a free host, or your own computer's IP address.
If you don't want 'forwarding', the host and registrar are the same company.
That some registrars will cloak the domain owner's name to be anonymous is a tangent that just confuses the issue further.
JOE

[d00d]

So, you can't use a third party registrar with a separate web host without forwarding? Are you sure? That doesn't add up to me.

[joetaxpayer]

you are right, i just confused myself. 'Forwarding' is for using free web space, like geocities or your isp's space. otherwise you set DNS to go to the host's server. Sorry I got that screwed up.

[sonjay]

It's a good idea to register your domain separately and not go through your hosting company. Many (some? a few? most? who knows?) hosting companies will register your domain but in their name. They can make it very difficult for you to move your hosting to another company if you end up dissatisfied with their service. Even scrupulously honest hosting companies with the best intentions can get bought out or go belly-up -- and then where's your domain? How long might take for a Chapter 11 to get sorted out so that control of the domain can be turned over to you?
Be smart. Register your domain with a registrar, and host your site with a hosting company, and don't let the twain ever meet. And always make sure you're listed as the administrative contact for the domain.

[d00d]

Thanks sonjay, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Do you have any recommendations for registrars?

[car1son]

In reply to:

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I don't mean to split hairs, but 'registar' is the company, verisign, godaddy, eyeondomain, etc.
'registrant' is me or d00d.

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Which is exactly what I meant when I wrote my message.