Internet and Domain Name Services

Introduction

Introduction    Domain Names    Email    Web Hosting    Writing Web Pages   
Register Domain Names     Web Host Provider   

A brief guide to domain names and managing an internet site

After using the internet and free web hosting for several years, we realized the benefits of having our own Domain Name, and set out to acquire one. At the time we had no clear idea of what to use it for, or how to do the things that were associated with it.

What was almost impossible for us in 1998 is much simpler today. There are now many alternatives, particularly for those who want to follow our approach of do-it-yourself at minimum cost.

Domain names, web hosting and running an internet site are still mysteries for many people, who see these things as complex, expensive and beyond their ability. But it is no longer very difficult.

Our Interests

We are happy to provide the general information in these pages on "Internet and Domain Name Services". We hope our experience may help others, particularly those in small business and those seeking effective use of the internet at a reasonable cost. However, as we provide this information freely and without obligation, any use you make of the information is entirely your choice and at your responsibility.

We trust you will understand that we cannot answer individual questions about these pages on "Internet and Domain Name Services" (except perhaps on a fee for service basis). We are happy of course to receive comments and suggestions that may help others. These will be taken into account as we think appropriate, but we cannot guarantee to respond individually except perhaps by a simple acknowledgement of your message.

Domain Names

Managing your own Domain Name has many advantages. You get a unique internet address that is yours. Email and internet site addresses do not change, even if your dial-up internet provider or web host does change. You can get facilities that are very helpful in dealing with spam email - such as having some spam deleted before it reaches your email in-box, and identifying much of the remainder so that you don't have to read it.

A Domain Name can be registered and used for both email and internet site at a modest cost. It is not necessary to start off with both email and an internet site - one can follow the other. From a simple beginning, you can expand your internet presence as you wish.

There are many ways to do this. There are also large differences in cost depending on internet providers, your needs, your capabilities, and the way your facilities are set up.

People who are comfortable using personal computers probably have the skills to manage many of their internet needs, with the benefits of greater flexibility and lower cost. However, finding out where to start and deciding which of the many alternatives are best is much more complex.

Our Approach.

Our approach is to start simply at minimum cost, so that an internet presence can be expanded without effecting those who know your email and internet site addresses.

You can of course start with a "free" email address and "free" web hosting space. These can be useful, but have their disadvantages. There is still a direct cost, because someone has to pay for the internet access to manage and use them. More permanent facilities seen as yours alone are a better way to create a credible internet presence.

With our approach you need to have internet access to handle email and the other internet facilities under your control. This usually means that you need internet access through a local dial-up internet provider, who gives you an email address and may also give you web space which can be used to host web pages.

Your Internet Facilities.

For most people, the best starting point is to acquire their own Domain Name. Even if not used initially, it provides a firm basis for long term planning and can give a permanent presence not otherwise possible.

Many people know the inconvenience arising from an unforeseen change of an email address. If you have your own Domain Name you can choose and control your own email addresses.

There are many alternatives available for web hosting, and some of the best options may be overseas. You can sometimes make good use of web space provided by your local internet provider as part of your internet access.

Someone has to write the web pages for an internet site. While there are many computer programs to help in the preparation of web pages, the writing of effective pages still requires careful attention.

Some of the basic things about Domain Names, Email Facilities, Web Hosting, and Writing Web Pages are considered in the following pages.

There is also a page with a link where you can register Domain Names, and another page with a link where you can obtain Web Hosting. While not necessarily meeting everyone's needs, from our experience these two providers offer a better combination of price and service than many other providers.

We also use several other Domain Registrars and Web Hosting organizations. The reasons for choosing such providers depend on the individual circumstances at the time, and discussion of this is beyond the scope of these internet pages.

Bamfords, Post Office Box 11, HALL ACT 2618, AUSTRALIA
Phone  +(61 2) 6227 5532    Fax  +(61 2) 6227 5995
Bamford Industries NSW BN97702171, and John Bamford & Associates NSW L8632225
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