[thelist] Difference between domain registrars

[Judah McAuley]

Luciano Kay wrote:
> --> GoDaddy is not perfect, I am sure, but certainly better than NetSol
> 
> exactly! that's the question...
> 
> I haven't so much knowledge on domains, DNS and related, then... how you
> could explain that a US$ 7.95 service is better than a US$ 35 one? (I really
> don't understand this)
> 
> I mean, I don't care on who has the registry of my domain, I just want a
> good service (cheaper = better). Obviously, I understand that some specific
> o rare issues could happend (like the case told by Chris).

In many ways, its a case of marketing.  Netsol was the *only* registrar 
for many years, so many people have domains registered through them. 
They do everything in their power to keep those clients from transfering 
while still being able to overcharge. With their merger with Verisign, 
they also are taking a further "name brand" recognition tack, hoping 
people that are renewing for 4,5,10 years will go with a company that 
they believe will be around that long.

One (somewhat) minor note: check out the terms of service for each 
registrar. They are not necessarily all the same. One issue brought up 
awhile ago that may or may not have been solved at the ICANN level is 
who actually owns a domain. Netsol has taken the position that they own 
the domain and that you have usage rights. Some other registrars (like 
the one I use, gandi.net) explicitly say that you have ownership of the 
domain. A minor difference? Remains to be seen. Regardless, I prefer to 
give my money to a company that acknowledges my rights in the broadest 
sense possible.

Judah