Nov 21 2008
What Is A “Domain Name”?
The word “domain name” got into headlines recently in Raja Petra’s court case. So what is a domain name?
Simply put, a domain name is an easier-to-remember name for resources on the Internet, such as rickysoo.com and MyCompany.com.my.
Internally, every resource on the Internet is identified by a series of numbers called IP address, such as 202.188.10.99. Now if you need to access a web site, instead of typing 202.188.10.99 into your browser, you are better off with an alphabetical domain name, such as http://www.rickysoo.com.
It’s like everyone of us having an identification number such as IC number (who doesn’t have?). But instead of remembering your friends by numbers such as 760814-14-5617, it’s easier (and more humane) to call them by name such as Ricky.
Examples of domain name are such as YourCompany.com, YourCompany.net, YourCompany.org, YourCompany.com.my, YourCompany.my, YourCompany.sg, YourCompany.cn, YourCompany.biz, YourCompany.co.uk, YourCompany.us and so on.
You won’t need to get a domain name if you don’t plan to put up a service on the Internet. But if you wish to put up a service, such as your own web site (eg. http://www.MyCompany.com), or having your own email address bearing your company name (eg. contact@MyCompany.com), you will need to own a domain name.
Certainly you don’t want your service to be remembered as a cryptic series of numbers, right? 
PS: You can buy a domain name from domain name registrars and resellers such as me.
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