Hi Folks,
I am currently toying with the idea of registering a domain name. It is something I have never done before so would appreciate advice from more experienced ALUGers on which hosting company to choose. I do not currently have a webpage/website so, although I would like to choose a company which would allow this so as to keep my options open for the future, my main purpose for registering a domain name is to be able to quote it to people to use for sending me email. I would preferably like the hosting company to allow me an infinite number of username mailboxes for incoming emails for my domain name (i.e so I can use ian@mydomainname.com, usefullmail@mydomainname.com, unwantedspam@mydomainname.com, deleteonreciept@mydomainname.com etc). I am not bothered whether I need to collect incoming emails from the hosting company myself via POP or whether they simply automatically redirect my incoming emails to my existing email account with my existing ISP.
Are there any particular domain name hosting companies more experienced ALUGers could recommend? Or, alternatively, any horror stories about experiences with other companies that people would like to share with me to warn me about them (though these negative comments may be best sent privately to me rather than posted on the public ALUG list)?
I live in Ipswich. If I find any small, local, domain name hosting companies would ALUGers recommend I use them or should I choose one of the big companies based in America?
Finally, a practical question about actually registering my domain name: I have noticed that some companies entries in the WHOIS database include their address and telephone number as well as a contact name. Obviously, as a private individual, I am not too keen on the entire world knowing my address and telephone number as I have enough problems with email spam and don't want this nuisance expanded with loads of unsolicited paper mail and telephone calls as well. Is the publication of address and telephone number information compulsory or is it possible to just register a contact name when registering a domain name?
Thanks in advance for your patience in answering my dumb questions!
Ian.