What is a Domain Name?
In Wikipedia.org:
Domain names are used in various networking contexts and application-specific naming and addressing purposes.
There’s a lot more to know than that. Simply put (for newbies, website owners or bloggers) — “it is to provide easily recognizable and memorizable names to numerically addressed Internet resources“. Numeric addresses are technically known as IP addresses (Internet Protocol).
For example, my blog can be found at intelligines.com/blog. Here, the domain name is intelligines.com. The IP address is 66.96.147.101
OK, so what is an IP address?
In Webopedia.com:
An identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).
Again, there’s a lot more to know than that. Again (again!), simply put, it is a unique identifier (address) of a device in a network whether wired or wireless. That device could be your laptop
How will I know the IP address of a website?
If you’re using Windows, click the Windows logo (AKA the Start button/menu) > Programs (or All Programs) > Accessories > Command Prompt. In the black box, type (see image for example):
ping <domain name>
If you’re using a Mac, here’s how; if you’re using Linux, here’s how. Another easy way is to just use an online tool such as Self SEO‘s. Or ask your provider.
In short?
intelligines.com = 66.96.147.101
Which one would you rather know: domain name or IP address? Even if I can memorize important numbers, I’d prefer domain name. That’s what it’s for.
Keep in mind that if you move your website to a different provider, the IP address will change. Just like you moving to a different home. Your name stays the same but your address will change.
What’s this Domain Name as Our Contact Detail?
OK, we have countless contact options: email addresses, telephone numbers and extensions, instant messaging, etc. What if we use the same concept of domain names translating to numbers (IP addresses)?
Let’s say…
- intelligines.com/email_personal
- intelligines.com/email_work
- intelligines.com/num_work
- intelligines.com/num_mobile
- intelligines.com/num_fax
Or, for families, we can utilize sub-domains. Let’s say I own the domain name samson.com. My contact details would include…
- gines.samson.com/num_work_ext
- gines.samson.com/im_msn
- gines.samson.com/im_google_talk
Then my wife can have…
- joy.samson.com/num_home
- joy.samson.com/im_ym
- joy.samson.com/im_skype
Wouldn’t it be easier? I know it won’t be as simple as that and this is just a fragment of my imagination. I haven’t researched of it’s existence or if it’s under research, testing or development. But, If you know anything about it, let us know. Also let us know what your thoughts are.
4 Comments
Hello, i am the admin of findfav.com .Thank’s for sharing this post.This is very helpful and informative material.Good post and keep it up friend.
@intelliGines
Thanks Dale. FindFav looks interesting.
Thanks for dropping by.
@Shekhar_Sahu
Nice explaination for non techies
@intelliGines
Thanks Shekhar. That’s the aim.