mjames — Sun, 24 Feb 2002 03:11:25 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by fifeclub
The WhoIs search lists Regiter.com as the registrar. Any insight on that one? Plus I definitely want to register the domain using a differnt company. Does that add more problems or is it a matter of 'once it's released - it's open'?

Register.com is kind of in the middle, from what I understand. It is better than NSI, but not as good at freeing domains as OpenSRS registrars.

If you want to transfer the domain away, signup with something like 000domains.com (what I use and recommend) and it'll leave Register.com in the dust.

fifeclub — Fri, 22 Feb 2002 16:13:58 +0000

The WhoIs search lists Regiter.com as the registrar. Any insight on that one? Plus I definitely want to register the domain using a differnt company. Does that add more problems or is it a matter of 'once it's released - it's open'?

mjames — Fri, 22 Feb 2002 15:51:43 +0000

You're on target when you say some domains are not released, even when they are well past their expiration. Whether or not they are released largely depends on the registrar. If Network Solutions is in charge of the domain, you better be praying they release it. But the domain is registered with one of the OpenSRS registrars (000domains.com, Dotster, etc.), you have a much better chance.

I haven't had my domains snatched yet, as I always renew them about a month before they expire. Better safe than sorry!

Suzanne — Fri, 22 Feb 2002 05:02:54 +0000

Well I know a number of people who have recently had their domains snagged from them the second they expired -- SnapNames and similar services. However, there seems to be a bit of a conspiracy going on around that, as the host, the registrar and SnapNames are all owned by the same company, and the people were hosted with the host, had the domain names with the registrar and lost their domain names to SnapNames.

So how ethical it is, I don't know.

Also, there seem to be a number of casinos and porn conglomerates who are able to buy up domain names the moment they expire.

If you can't do the same, I would think that would be further evidence of behind the scenes futzing.

Check with the registrar of the domain you are interested in. They would be better able to let you know the length of time they will hold the domain in reserve.