How can I buy a .tv suffix

A.� The .tv suffix has caused some controversy. This rather handy suffix for any television company was originally assigned to a small country called Tuvalu as the appropriate country suffix, in the same way that UK based web sites have the suffix .uk.

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However Tuvalu, convinced that television companies around the world will pay good money for the kudos of having a .tv suffix have signed a deal allowing a company exclusive rights to sell the .tv suffix commercially.

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For more information on buying a .tv suffix visit www.idealab.com

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Q.� Can I choose any domain name

A.� No, there are very strict rules governing which suffixes can be used according to the type of site. For example commercial sites have the domain .com, or .co.uk.

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Q.� How do domain names get assigned

A.� By the net's coordinating body, Icann (Internet Corporation for assigned names and numbers).

However, an independent body called New.net has recently challenged Icann's position. New.net�is selling and directing browsers to new domains not recognised by Icann. New.net has started selling 30 domain suffixes, for example .shop and .family.

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Q.� How does a web browser know if a web address is for real

A.� Because it checks the address you type into the browser against the domain name system (DNS) servers. These servers contain directories of all the web addresses so that your browser knows where to go to visit the site of your choice.

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The domain name system is a global network of servers that translate host names�such as www.theanswerbank.co.uk into numerical IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, which computers on the internet use to communicate with each other. Without DNS, we'd all be memorizing long numbers instead of intuitive URLs or email addresses.

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Q.� How does my browser know where to go for a New.net address

A.� Because New.net is outside of Icann and so its domains are not held in the DNS it has enlisted ISPs to redirect users to their servers when requesting a New.net domain.

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In practice only around 10% of users can access the New.net address at the moment.

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Do you need some help with the web Click here to ask a question.

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by Lisa Cardy