Computer Bytes - No. 57 Bookmark this page !       Send this page to a friend!  " Last year I discussed getting a .com in 'Computer Bytes 25'. Since then there have been a lot of changes with many different domain extensions becoming available - not all of them useful. I am going to cover the recently added ICANN 'top-level domain' (TLD) extensions and some others you may want to stay away from. We'll start by defining how a '.com', '.net' or other TLD is used. The Internet's domain-name system (DNS) allows users to refer to web sites using an easy to remember name such as www.moncriefwebdesign.com instead of the web site's all numeric IP address, i.e. 112.34.0.76. Seven TLDs were created in the 1980's - .com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net, and .org. The three most frequently seen are .com, .net and .org. These can be used without restrictions. The other four have restrictions. After the 1990's, increased need lead to the creation of seven new TLDs between 2001 - 2002. The four you probably have heard of or seen are .biz, .info, .name and .pro. Another new and much used extension is .mobi allowing you to get information anytime, anywhere on mobile devices. For more information regarding TLDs visit www.icann.org. ICANN is the international body that controls and oversees the allocation of all TLDs around the world. All TLDs created by ICANN are officially recognized and will therefore 'work' all over the world. Application for a web site name with one of the above TLD extensions can be made through various companies on the Net. That being said, there are new 'widgets' out there you should be aware - one of which is New.net. They offer an enticing array of vanity extensions including .agent, .chat, .video, .auction, .church, .club, mp3 to name a few. While these names cover a broad range of applications, they are not ICANN sanctioned. Should you decide to go with one of these 'alternative' extensions, it may require your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and/or hosting firm to have special software installed, or you may have to go to New.net - assuming they are the agent - and download special software yourself. If you and your ISP do not have this software installed, the New.net domain name will not work for you. This means that the New.net name will only be available to a limited portion of those on the Internet. While New.net is partnered with some larger companies and ISPs, be aware that this number is limited. More than this one company is moving in that direction, so if you are looking to go on line with a web site - business or otherwise, my recommendation is to stay with the conventional extensions. In this case, the old adage 'Buyer Beware' still holds true today. Computer Bytes Index Send Us an Email | Home Page Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.