What is a Domain Name? Domain Names Explained

A domain name is a way for you to own your own little piece of the internet pie. It is your own kingdom of the online community, a place where you as an individual are left to freely express who and what you are about. Or where the company can define and market the soul of their brand, where they can structure and explain why their services are needed and what market void they are there to patch up.

The domain name system is based on a family tree matrix, where the upper branches consist of the dot com-s or org-s, or the country based location. Directly under these, still in the crown of the tree, is the second and third level domain names and this is where you as an end-user come into play, as it is these addresses that are left for you to register on.

Most of us have heard the term IP-address sometime or another, maybe related to some CSI-episode where they conveniently trace the bad guy by trailing a message he has sent taunting the police to a specific computer. The IP stands for Internet Protocol, and each computer comes equipped with one, you could almost say it is like the DNA of the computer.

So to register for a domain name is really just a way of transforming a bunch of boring numbers into an attention-grabbing name that will appeal to the internet masses. Without one, your a just another statistic in the online numbers game.

Now, to register for a domain name does not actually mean that you own it per se, but it does mean that you have the exclusive right to that name. There can not be two alike, so to register is truly the first step in setting your unique footprint on the internet web.

The initial stages of the domain name industry date back to the ARPANET, a crude first version of what it has evolved in today. Each computer hooked up to the ARPANET received a specific host-file as a way of determining who was who in the network. The host-files were all administered by a mother computer at the company SRI International.

This computer attributed a numerical address with a host name, thus giving it a registered domain in the ARPANET system. But as the network grew in size, and did it rapidly, the mother computer administration soon become obsolete as it was not equipped to deal with the vast surge of the oncoming internet storm.

So if you are serious about building yourself an online career, then the top priority on your agenda should be to register for a domain name. It is more than just a brand label; it is an insight into who you are, or into what your company is all about. A domain offers you the opportunity of creating an emotional bond with your followers or customers, and it as a way for you to maintain that two-way street of loyalty.

Boris Dzhingarov is graduated student from economic university. He is writing Internet related articles when he has free time. He is writing mostly about web hosting and domain (as the Swedish say domänen) names articles.

About Jakk: Jakk Ogden is a professional self-employed blogger and the founder / owner of Technology Blogged. 22, with a love for good writing, you'll find me playing 'Drag Racing' on my HTC One X and rocking a pair of Grado headphones. If you love technology, be sure to subscribe to my feed for unique editorials. Find me on Google+. View author profile.