Domain name selection

[sefs]

Can some one suggest some safe utilities that I can use safely in order to check the availability of domain names.

I asked because I know network solutions has/had a policy of registering the domain with themselves if you checked it on their site, forcing you to register with them, if you did not want to wait a couple of days until they released it.

[chris200x9]

put it in firefox and see if anything at all loads?

[mr.propre]

in the terminal: whois <domain name>

Here a nice example:


stijn@Lappie-II:~$ whois ubuntuforums.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Domain Name: UBUNTUFORUMS.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: http://www.markmonitor.com
Name Server: NS1.CANONICAL.COM
Name Server: NS2.CANONICAL.COM
Name Server: NS3.CANONICAL.COM
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 21-jan-2009
Creation Date: 09-oct-2004
Expiration Date: 09-oct-2010

>>> Last update of whois database: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:14:39 UTC <<<

NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.

TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,
or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.

The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MarkMonitor, the Global Leader in Enterprise Brand Protection

Domain Management
Online Trademark Protection
Online Channel Protection
AntiPhishing Solutions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Data in MarkMonitor.com's WHOIS database is provided by MarkMonitor.com
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. MarkMonitor.com
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree
that you will use this Data only for lawful purposes and that, under no
circumstances will you use this Data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise
support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or
solicitations via e-mail (spam); or (2) enable high volume, automated,
electronic processes that apply to MarkMonitor.com (or its systems).
MarkMonitor.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

Registrant:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -

Domain Name: ubuntuforums.com

Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com

Administrative Contact:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -
Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -

Created on..............: 2004-10-09.
Expires on..............: 2010-10-09.
Record last updated on..: 2009-07-09.

Domain servers in listed order:

ns1.canonical.com
ns3.canonical.com
ns2.canonical.com




-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MarkMonitor, the Global Leader in Enterprise Brand Protection

Domain Management
Online Trademark Protection
Online Channel Protection
AntiPhishing Solutions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[sefs]

in the terminal: whois <domain name>

Here a nice example:


stijn@Lappie-II:~$ whois ubuntuforums.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Domain Name: UBUNTUFORUMS.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: http://www.markmonitor.com
Name Server: NS1.CANONICAL.COM
Name Server: NS2.CANONICAL.COM
Name Server: NS3.CANONICAL.COM
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 21-jan-2009
Creation Date: 09-oct-2004
Expiration Date: 09-oct-2010

>>> Last update of whois database: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:14:39 UTC <<<

NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.

TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,
or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.

The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MarkMonitor, the Global Leader in Enterprise Brand Protection

Domain Management
Online Trademark Protection
Online Channel Protection
AntiPhishing Solutions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Data in MarkMonitor.com's WHOIS database is provided by MarkMonitor.com
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. MarkMonitor.com
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree
that you will use this Data only for lawful purposes and that, under no
circumstances will you use this Data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise
support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or
solicitations via e-mail (spam); or (2) enable high volume, automated,
electronic processes that apply to MarkMonitor.com (or its systems).
MarkMonitor.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

Registrant:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -

Domain Name: ubuntuforums.com

Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com

Administrative Contact:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -
Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
James Troup
Canonical, Ltd.
One Circular Road
Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AF
GB
hostmaster@canonical.com +44.1624643643 Fax: -

Created on..............: 2004-10-09.
Expires on..............: 2010-10-09.
Record last updated on..: 2009-07-09.

Domain servers in listed order:

ns1.canonical.com
ns3.canonical.com
ns2.canonical.com




-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MarkMonitor, the Global Leader in Enterprise Brand Protection

Domain Management
Online Trademark Protection
Online Channel Protection
AntiPhishing Solutions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------



You learn something new everyday. Whose backend does this command use??

[Barrucadu]

It checks the WHOIS server responsible for holding details about that domain. So it depends on the domain. WHOIS data should not be treated as completely accurate, however.

(if I understood your question right…)

[sefs]

I think i understand.

So if it checks network solutions whois db for instance it would query that directly and by pass their web system which would have their domain pre-registering system in place. Is that correct?

[Barrucadu]

Yes. Unless they also have such a system in place for WHOIS queries.

[ssam]

just check a few random strings of letters first :-)

[sefs]

just check a few random strings of letters first :-)

lol. good one.

[HappinessNow]

Can some one suggest some safe utilities that I can use safely in order to check the availability of domain names.

I asked because I know network solutions has/had a policy of registering the domain with themselves if you checked it on their site, forcing you to register with them, if you did not want to wait a couple of days until they released it.

Use Google Domain Apps:

http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new

Once there click on:

I want to buy a domain name (http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new#)

[michaelzap]

My favorite domain name registration checking utility right now is Domainr:
http://domai.nr/

Finds options that you'd never know about on your own (although many of them may be pricey).

The suggestions offered by the GoDaddy or Register.com forms can sometimes be helpful, and I've never known them to preregister a good name (personally I think that's a myth).

iWhois is a good, clean web-based whois:
http://www.iwhois.com/