Don Can Help
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The Internet is Not Brain Surgery!
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It Should Not Cost Hundreds Of Dollars To Be On The Web!
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You Don't Have To Be A Rocket Scientist!
Domains
Basically speaking, a domain is the Internet Address that points to a Computer
on the Internet. Not everybody needs a domain; but they are nice to have. For
example, DonCanHelp-DOT-COM is a domain, but I can just as easily have these
same pages under my ISP or on any one of the free hosting sites. So you do not
need to have a domain to have a web pressence. You do need a domain if you
want mail directed specifically to you - although there are plenty of free
vanity domain web-mail services available that might serve the same purpose.
Confused??? Don't worry that how Internet people make their MONEY!
The BASICS
FIRST,
Web Sites - A Web Site is a collection of documents written in a special code
that can be distributed via the Internet. (Don't worry about the Special Code
Stuff because almost every Medium to High-End Word Processor can convert
standard documents to web pages - although, there are better ways to do this.)
SECOND,
Web Servers - A Computer that distributes the pages of a Web Site. Most Web
Servers are run on UNIX or a variant of UNIX, such as Linux or BSD. For the
average web site, this is not important. However, if you want some really
fancy web site, you do need to be aware of the limitations of your server. The
reason I don't like most fancy sites is that they discriminate against older
browsers, some operating systems and often those who surf the internet with
disabilities. ON THE OTHER HAND, some professionally done fancy sites use
re-direction to send you the best web page designed for your browser. One page
may have six or more variations - written specifically so everyone can enjoy
the best of that site. (Can be VERY Expensive.)
THIRD,
Domain - The Internet Address of the Computer Web Server. There are Virtual
Domains, Sub-Domains and a host of varitations. The key is when you type in an
address - you get there. One thing about domains, you really want something
simple and easy to remember. Today, your domain name can contain up to 64
characters; however, try typing that many letters!
FOURTH,
Web Browser - that what you are using to view this page. There are many types
of web browsers - the most popular being Microsoft Internet Explorer and
Netscape Navigator. This is very critical to understand - the fancier the web
site, the greater the potential that someone will not be able to view it.
There are at least 4 variations of the Microsoft browser and 3 variations of
the Netscape browser; PLUS, you have Lynx, WebTV, PalmOS Intenet, Cellular
Internet and more internet appliances are being introduced every month. A well
designed and written web pages will be readable by all browsers, or at least
offer re-direction, low-resolution or low-speed versions.
Now the Simple Stuff, if you want a Domain, you must register it with one of
the many Domain Registration Services. That can run from $8 to $35 per year,
depending on how and who you register your domain.
If you don't want or need a Domain, you can go straight to the
Free Web Servers Page
, because you will not need to spend any more money. (Of course, you are more
than welcome to read on...)
The IMPORTANT THING about Domains is
WHO OWNS IT
. Sure you think that because
you are trade-marked, or licensed or other-wise unique -
YOU ARE NOT PROTECTED
.
Anybody can register a domain and there are thousands of people who do, PLUS
HUNDREDS of people who will register other people's names in hopes of getting
their business or selling them the domain at a profit. These people are called
Cyber Squatters and words fail to describe to hatred internet people have for
these profit-minded individuals.
If you want to register your domain, just go to
YAHOO
and search "domain registration". Be careful because many of these "low cost"
providers will tempt you with many add-on features that you DO NOT NEED.