.PW Domain General FAQ Palau FAQ - What is a domain name, and what is the Domain Name System (DNS)?
- A domain name is a letter string that identifies one or more IP Addresses (the equivalent to phone numbers on the Internet). Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular web pages.
* Each domain name has a suffix that indicates which Top Level Domain (TLD) it belongs to. There are Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) that are available worldwide, such as .com, .org, and .net, to name a few. Then there are Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs) that are assigned to almost every country in the world. Examples of these are .uk (United Kingdom), .jp (Japan), and .pw (Palau). Each registry of each ccTLD decides whether it wants to make names in that domain available to anyone in the world, or to restrict it to just individuals and business entities in that country.
* Because the Internet is based on the numeric IP addresses, not domain names that are more easily remembered, every server requires a Domain Name System server to translate domain names into their corresponding IP addresses.
- What is a domain name registry?
- A Domain Name Registry creates and maintains the database of domain names for a given top-level domain. It receives domain name system (DNS) information from domain name Registrars, inserts that information into a centralized database and publishes the information in Internet zone files on the Internet so that domain names can be found by users around the world via applications such as the World Wide Web and e-mail.
- What is the difference between a domain name registry and a registrar?
- A domain name Registry provides direct services to domain name Registrars only, not to the end users of a Registry's services. The Registry is an entity responsible for delegating Internet addresses such as domain names, and keeping a record of those addresses and the information associated with their delegation. On the other hand, Registrars provide services directly to the end users. They process name registrations for the end users, then send the necessary DNS information to the appropriate domain Registry for entry into the centralized Registry database and ultimate distribution over the Internet.
- What domain names can be registered with .PW?
- Only Third Level domains can be registered with .PW. For instance john.smith.pw is registerable, but smith.pw is not.
- What is the difference between second and third level domains?
- * Third Level domains incorporate three elements: the domain's suffix, indicating the Top Level Domain (.pw), and two other names, separated by a "dot" (john.smith).
* Second Level domains incorporate just two levels: the domain's suffix and one name (smith.pw). In the .PW domain, second level domains are not registerable, but they can be "sponsored."
- What's so different about .PW?
- .PW is about inclusive communities, not the competition of commerce. Let's say you wanted a third level domain, such as john.smith.pw - you could get that from an accredited .pw registrar. Now, let's say that your cousin in Jersey wanted joe.smith.pw, He could get it from the accredited .pw registrar of his choosing. You would each have your own separate third level domain names, where you could put up a web site at www.john.smith.pw, and have john@smith.pw as your email address, whereas your cousin could have a different web site at www.joe.smith.pw, and have joe@smith.pw as his email address. Thus, unlike other top level domains, like .com, where once you own the domain, it's yours and no one else's, the .pw domain is about sharing! Thus, one is virtually guaranteed to get the name one wants, or at least some acceptable variation of that name. Somebody beat you to john.smith.pw? No problem, you can get johnny.smith.pw, or johnboy.smith.pw, or johnsmith.smith.pw, or jbs.smith.pw. The possibilities are practically endless. Hence, community.
- How long does a .PW registration last?
- Initial registrations, starting in September 2004, will be for a minimum two-year period. Beyond that, registrations can be for as little as a single month, or for as long as ten years.
- Is a .PW registration renewable?
- Yes, .PW registrations are renewable into perpetuity.
- Once I've registered a .PW domain name, will my name and contact info be publicly available?
- Although accuracy of personal data used for domain name registrations is a requirement, publication of personal data is severely restricted for the PW domain. As a "thick" registry, the WHOIS output for both the registry and accredited registrars must not publish personal contact details. However, contact mechanisms may be provided to contact registrants without disclosing their personal email address.
* PW Registry prohibits bulk access of the PW zone file and PW Whois data.
Source: www.pwregistry.pw
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