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Definition of Domain Name
A domain name is an identification label to define a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet, based on the Domain Name System (DNS).
Domain names are used in various networking contexts and application-specific naming and addressing purposes. Domain names are organized in subordinate levels (subdomains) of the top-level Internet domains (TLDs), such as the prominent domains com, net and org. Below the top-level domains in the DNS hierarchy are the second-level and third-level domain names that are typically open for reservation by end-users that wish to connect local area networks to the Internet, run web sites, or create other publicly accessible Internet resources. The registration of these domain names is usually administered by domain name registrars who sell their services to the public.
Individual Internet host computers use domain names as host identifiers, or hostnames. Hostnames are the leaf labels in the domain name system usually without further subordinate domain name space. Hostnames appear as a component in Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) for Internet resources such as web sites (e.g., en.wikipedia.org).
Domain names are also used as simple identification labels to indicate ownership or control of a resource. Such examples are the realm identifiers used in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the DomainKeys used to verify DNS domains in e-mail systems, and in many other Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs).
An important purpose of domain names is to provide easily recognizable and memorizable names to numerically addressed Internet resources. This abstraction allows any resource (e.g., website) to be moved to a different physical location in the address topology of the network, globally or locally in an intranet. Such a move usually requires changing the IP address of a resource and the corresponding translation of this IP address to and from its domain name.
Source: Wikipedia
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Domain Name Prices
Many users wonder as to what the difference between a domain name registration costing $6 or $100. Some have specifically asked about an Australian domain name for use for a family web site.
There is virtually no difference in what you receive for $6 or for $100. The fundamental item is identical, namely that you own that domain name. With the $100 service you will receive better support but you should not have need it as registering a domain name is very simple. Be aware that most of the low cost ads will sell a domain name that is .info or .biz or similar. You should obtain a .com name and they are always dearer. The $6 domain name is largely a headline for search engines in order to get you to go to their site.
Hosting that domain name is where you may need support. However, you can register your domain at one site and then have it hosted at some other site. Be aware that when you register a domain name you will receive important documentation pertaining to your site so that you can prove that you are the owner in the future if you change the hosting. I recommend that you print a couple of copies of that document and keep them in a safe place as well as backing up your mail which should be always done..
If you do not wish to have a domain name ending in .au then probably the cheapest site is GoDaddy. For the .au domain names you will have to deal with an Australian organisation and the domain names are dearer and start at about $13 per year. Hosting typically starts at $4.95 per month and you can have 5 GB of data and a many of services for this amount. One such service is that you can have your own permanent e-mail address in the form, of yourname@yourdomain.com.au irrespective of what ISP you use and how often you change ISPs.
For Australian sites, I host my site with WebCity who offer good support and handle domain name registrations as well. Registering and hosting with the same organisation is the easiest way to get started.
Finally, I am not aware of anyone offering permanent registration. The majority of offers are for two years and you will be sent reminders to re-register which is a very quick and easy process.
George Skarbek will be familiar to many computer users as the writer of a popular Q&A column, which has appeared in major newspapers every week from 1996 to 2009. He has also appeared on TV news programs as a computer expert and published four computing books. His latest, 'Computer Guide', compiles the answers to the most common IT questions, solving troublesome problems about everything from email to where to find the best free software on the web. With easy-to-follow instructions and detailed tutorials, Skarbek makes even the most complicated problems easy to solve. In addition, his book offers over 80 quick and easy hints and tips that are guaranteed to save you time and boost your productivity. Read a sample chapter at http://www.skarbek.com.au
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