1. Introduction to Interactive Media Choosing a Domain Name and a Web Host

2. Introduction to Interactive Media Preliminary Steps for Making a Web Site Choosing and Registering a Domain Name Choosing a Web Host and Picking a Hosting Plan

3. Introduction to Interactive Media What is a domain name? An easily recognizable and memorizable name to numerically addressed Internet resources (I.P. address) –Easier to remember www.yahoo.com than 66.254.34.22www.yahoo.com Common domains are: GOV, EDU, COM, MIL, ORG, NET, and INT.GOVEDUCOM MILORGNETINT There are also many domains are country specific, e.g..US,.FR,.MX

4. Introduction to Interactive Media What does it mean to register a domain name? The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding host computers DNS Servers - resolve the name of the Web site typed into the location field of the browser with the IP address of the server that will send the requested information from that Web site.

5. Introduction to Interactive Media Registering a Domain Name When you register a domain name - you become the owner of the domain. Curious about who owns a particular domain? –http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp

6. Introduction to Interactive Media Where to register a domain? Many companies will allow you to register a domain. –www.networksolutions.comwww.networksolutions.com –www.regiser.comwww.regiser.com –www.godaddy.comwww.godaddy.com Price has gotten less expensive. Often people register domains to just hold the name thinking it might become valuable. It is a good idea to register the domain when you purchase the hosting (if possible).

7. Introduction to Interactive Media How do you choose a domain name? Branding Future Directions Name length and spellings Domain ending Possibility of securing multiple domains Opinions of Others Previously Used Domain

8. Introduction to Interactive Media How to tell if your domain is available? Most host company web sites allow you to see if your domain is available. Whois lookups show who owns the domain. In many cases a domain could be owned but no site resides at the domain.

9. Introduction to Interactive Media What is a web host? A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the World Wide Web.Internet hosting servicewebsiteWorld Wide Web Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own or lease for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivityserverInternet When you purchase hosting you are essentially leasing space on a server computer.

10. Introduction to Interactive Media What you need to consider when choosing a web host? Free hosting Paid hosting

11. Introduction to Interactive Media Consider When Choosing Free Hosting Advertising Amount of Space FTP access File type and size limitations Reliability and speed of access Perl and PHP Bandwidth allotment Reference: http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/findhost.shtml

12. Introduction to Interactive Media Consider When Choosing a Commercial Web Host Reliability and speed of access Data Transfer Disk Space Technical Support FTP, PHP, Perl, MySQL SSL, Shopping Cart Email, Autoresponders Control Panel Multiple Domain Hoting and Subdomains Server Price, Payment Plans Resellers International Others’ Reviews