Tech: Web Page Address Query

Subject: Web Page Address Query
From: Zebedee
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:46 AM

It used to be that every internet address started with www, ftp or some other prefix, depending on the protocol used.

Now we get urls such as http://about.com

How do they do that? Can I register that type of address myself?

I'd guess you'd need your own server? I'd be grateful for any information or links.

Thanks

Ed

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 03:53 AM

Hi, Ed - well, the protocol is the http:// or ftp:// - the www stands for World Wide Web, and I understand that has become optional in some addresses, because they're ALL on the World Wide Web.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: Zebedee
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:09 AM

Thanks Joe (you're up late!)

What I was trying to ask is how did about.com get an address without the www?

If I want to register a domain, it will always begin with www

Hoping I'm making myself clear

Ed

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: SeanM
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:31 AM

I think that the www can be dropped for some web browsers. As Joe said, I believe as well that the 'www' is just assumed by some programs.

M

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: SeanM
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:32 AM

Yup. I'm running IE 5.5, and just ran a check on a few addresses. You don't actually need to put the www on the addy to get it to connect.

I'd assume that older browsers would still require it.

M

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 05:34 AM

Yeah, but that's the part where I'm foggy, Ed. I guess Max has registered shorty.mudcat.org and loki.mudcat.org and ragtime.mudcat.org (without www) - is that different?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Help: Web Page Address Query
From: MudGuard
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 07:00 AM

It does not depend on the browser whether you can drop the www or not.
E.g. www, shorty, loki, ragtime are sub-domains of the domain mudcat.org.
Most servers for a domain are configured to use subdomain www as a default so it does not matter whether you type www before it or not.
It is possible (but rarely used) to have more than one level of subdomains - some people have urls like www.firstname.lastname.de, so the domain name is lastname, firstlevel subdomain is firstname, secondlevel subdomain is www.

Most ISPs only support subdomain www for private homepages as this makes their server admin easier.

MudGuard