domains

One Web site, many names: an introduction to domain forwarding

When my Defensive Computing blog went live in July, the Web page address (URL is the nerd term) assigned to it was blogs.cnet.com/8300-13554_1-33.html. Shortly thereafter, CNET assigned the friendlier address blogs.cnet.com/defensive-computing/

That's still a lot for me to remember, let alone repeat to someone else. When I wanted to find this blog, I started at blogs.cnet.com and then hunted for my name. The address/URL blogs.cnet.com is easy to type and easy to remember. Whenever someone asked where to find my blog, that is what I told them … Read more

Eleven steps to buying a domain name that doesn't suck

Whether you're a multinational Internet retailer or a lone human just entering the Web world, there are many things to consider when purchasing a new domain name, not the least of which are core SEO (search engine optimization) parameters. Following is a list of considerations I'd supply to either entity mentioned above or anyone in between. Some may seem ridiculously obvious, but a friendly reminder won't hurt.

Keyword research: Does the domain use popular and focused keywords? Make sure the domain and its associated URLs will be conducive to search engine visibility. Check it on tools like … Read more

Bust A Name: Best domain name helper ever

All of the good ones are taken. URLs, that is. If you've got a new business or site to set up, it can be difficult and tiresome to find a good domain name that's available. A new site, Bust A Name, makes the process go more quickly.

Like Squurl, which I covered a year ago, Bust A Name scans the database of registered domains as you type. You just enter in the domain you want and quickly see if it's available.

You can also type in a few words and let Bust A Name mash them together … Read more

How much is Business.com worth?

Domain name (and the business behind the name) Business.com is being auctioned off by the men who bought it in 1999 for a whopping $7.5 million. The Wall Street Journal cites unnamed sources "familiar with the matter" who speculate that Business.com could fetch as much as $300 million to $400 million. The site is a search engine, with pay-per-click advertising, for products and services.

Google opens up Docs and Spreadsheets

Google has added a new option to Google Docs and Spreadsheets to make files open for others to look at without the need to register or sign in with a Google account. To make any doc or spreadsheet open, users can click option for "invitations may be used by anyone" in the "Share" tab. Once enabled, any invite to view the spreadsheet will take users right to it, bypassing any annoying log-in screens. Users will still need to log in and be on the collaborators list to make any editing changes, but this should open things … Read more

New top-level domains could arrive by mid-2008, ICANN says

New top-level domains are once again on the horizon.

ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, said on Thursday that it would begin accepting applications for new suffixes early next year.

The problem, though, is that new top-level domains aren't necessarily going to be that useful or interesting.

The venerable .com suffix still remains the Internet's prime real estate, and ones like .info and .biz seem to have become more used by spammers than legitimate businesses. ICANN's final rejection of .xxx this year, even there was no technical or legal reason not to approve it, … Read more

Say what? The YouTube-ing of presidential debates

Hillary Clinton won't be the next lonelygirl15, but there's no question that she and all the other 2008 presidential candidates will have their turns on YouTube.

The question that has been posed, CNET News.com reports, is whether the Democratic and Republican National Committees will allow video of the candidates' debates into the public domain.

"In 2008, this will really be a year of YouTube, where the little guy can hold politicians accountable for their words and that's why we need presidential debate content to be in the public domain or Creative Commons, and not captive … Read more

Google Apps for Your Domain about to be paid-for service

BusinessWeek is reporting that Google is ready to mount a paid-for monthly subscription for Google Apps for Your Domain. The service, which launched several months ago, was offered free to beta users. With the graduation from beta status, Google is clearly aiming to make money off potential business users and take some business away from rival Microsoft.

The service, which we wrote about in August, includes a set of customized Google apps that provides you with free domain-centric branding including a company start page, e-mail addresses, and inter-office calendars.

My question is, what kind of business will dump Microsoft Outlook … Read more