Domain names:  Registering a Domain Name for your Northwest Nexus Account


This FAQ addresses the most-asked questions concerning registering 
domain names through Northwest Nexus:

    - Can I get a domain name of my own registered through Northwest Nexus?
    - What will a domain name do for me?
    - What will a domain name not do for me?
    - How do I "add" other users to my domain name?
    - How much will it cost to apply for, registered, and adminster my name?
    - Can I move my domain name to another provider if I ever need to do so?
    - Can I move an existing domain name to Northwest Nexus?
    - How can I find out if the name I want is available?
    - What's the difference between the .com, .org, and other top-level
domains?
    - Can I register more than one domain name?
    - Do I "own" my domain name?  Can I pick any name I choose?
    - How long will it take to register my name?

At the end of the FAQ is the application form that you must complete and
mail to us to initiate the application process.  The application form
may not be abbreviated, nor delivered via fax or telephone.


Q.  Can I get a domain name of my own registered through Northwest Nexus?

A.  We provide domain name registration services and provide primary
and secondary name service only to our customers.  To apply for a domain
name or have us provide authoritive name service for your existing domain,
you must have an established and current account with us for your Internet
connectivity.  If you do not currently have service with us, you must
first establish your account before we can apply for a domain name on your
behalf.

Personal SLIP/PPP and Shell Service
-----------------------------------
If you have Personal SLIP/PPP or Personal Shell service with us,
domain name and electronic mail routing is handled differently.
You MUST read the information in this FAQ carefully so that you will
understand how your domain name will be set up, and what it will and will
not do.


Q.  What will a domain name do for me?

A.  Your own domain name, registered with the InterNIC, allows you to receive
mail addressed to

        loginame@customname.com

This provides the illusion that you have your own node on the Internet,
but it only provides that *illusion*, and it's an illusion that experienced
Internet users can easily see through.  Absolutely nothing changes in
your maildrop or in the way you receive your mail.  The only change you
would make in getting your mail is change your Return Address field in Eudora
or Pine to put your new domain name in as part of your return address in
mail you send.

Keep in mind that all this works as follows:  

        - When your domain name is registered with the InterNIC, the
          major nameservers on the Internet will direct mail for
          your domain name to our primary domain name server.
        
        - When our server receives a piece of mail with your domain
          name as part of the address, it will REWRITE the domain name
          part of the address to

                halcyon.com

          and will send the mail to the proper address.

          This means that a mail message addressed to

               loginame@yourdomain.com

          is exactly the same as a message addressed to

               loginame@halcyon.com


Q.  What will a domain name not do for me?

A.  Having your own domain name registered and pointing at your Personal
accout with us will NOT automatically make all mail sent to your domain
name end up in your halcyon maildrop.  For example, mail messages sent to

        mickey@foobar.com
        minnie@foobar.com

will end up in DIFFERENT mailboxes, because foobar.com is just another
name for halcyon.com.


Q.  How do I "add" other users to my domain name?

A.  Because all we are doing is making your domain name a synonym for
halcyon.com, all you need to do if you want others in your company to
be able to receive mail at that domain name is to create Personal SLIP/PPP
or Personal Shell accounts for them as well.

        
Q.  How much will it cost to apply for, registered, and adminster my name?

A.  For Personal SLIP/PPP, Personal Shell, and UUCP account holders, the
fee is $75.  At the present time, this is a nonrecurring charge.


Q.  Can I move my domain name to another provider if I ever need to do so?

A.   Yes.  Once granted, the domain name belongs to you.


Q.  Can I move an existing domain name to Northwest Nexus?

A.  Yes.  In order to move your domain name to Northwest Nexus, the existing
    Administrative/Technical contact, should send the Modify request to the
    InterNIC using the e-mail address specified in your 'whois' record. 
    You can contact our sales staff to help you with filling out the
modification form.
    When transfer is complete, you will be billed for the $75 set-up fee.


Q.  How can I find out if the name I want is available?

A.  At the shell prompt, use the whois command:

        whois foobar.com


Q.  What's the difference between the .com, .org, and other top-level domains?

A.  .com is available to any commercial enterprise in the United States.
.org is reserved for not-for-profit organizations, while .edu is restricted
to four-year, full-time, degree-granting colleges and universities.  There
are other domains, but these are rarely applicable to our average user. 


Q.  Can I register more than one domain name?

A.  Yes, you can. 
    However, if you have only one account established with us, there is 
    a $20 monthly name service fee for each additional domain name 
    registered for that account(unless you run your own primary name
server).       The easiest way to avoid additional charges is to open an
additional 
    dial-up account for each domain.

Q.  Do I "own" my domain name?  Can I pick any name I choose?

A.  Here is what the InterNIC's lawyers say:

  The party requesting registration of this name certifies that, to her/his
  knowledge, the use of this name does not violate trademark or other statues.

  Registering a domain name does not confer any legal rights to that name and
  any disputes between parties over the rights to use a particular name are to
  be settled between the contending parties using normal legal methods.
 (See RFC 1591)

By submitting an application, you agree to the terms as stated above.


Q.  How long does it take to register my name?

A.  Sometimes domains are registered and set up as soon as two days.
However,       the usual processing time is about a week. When your
application has been       approved and your domain name registered and set
up, we'll notify you by        mail at the "Net Mailbox" address you
specified in your application.  At     this point, you will also be billed
for the domain-name setup fee.
 
DO NOT have business cards or stationery printed, or run advertisements
featuring, your new domain name until you have received electronic mail
from us telling you that your name is active.  Applications aren't the
same as reservations, and a number of people have lost big bucks by being
too hasty in this regard.

______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 1997  Northwest Nexus Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
This document may not be reproduced nor redistributed in any form without
express permission; contact us at support@halcyon.com with questions.

Domain Name Application Form
----------------------------
When it is completed, return ONLY the form below to

        domainrq@nwnexus.com

with the subject line

        Domain name request:  xxxx.yyy

where xxxx.yyy is the domain name you've requested.  The usual turn-over time
for domain name registration and set up is within five working days. 

The information below will be available to those making inquiries to the
InterNIC's "whois" database.

===========================================================================
******************* Please DO NOT REMOVE Version Number ********************

Domain Version Number: 3.5

**************** Please see attached detailed instructions *****************

******** Only for registrations under ROOT, COM, ORG, NET, EDU, GOV ********

0.  Current Northwest Nexus
    or halcyon account name.........: 

0.  Account type(SLIP,UUCP,etc).....: 

1.  Purpose/Description.............:

2. Complete Domain Name.............: xxx.com

Organization Using Domain Name
3a. Organization Name (Registrant)..: 
3b. Street Address..................: 
3c. City............................: 
3d. State...........................: 
3e. Postal Code.....................: 
3f. Country Code (2 letter).........:  

Administrative Contact/Agent
4a. NIC Handle (if known)...........: 
4b. (I)ndividual or (R)ole?.........: I
4c. Name............................: 
4d. Organization Name...............: 
4e. Street Address..................: 
4f. City............................: 
4g. State...........................: 
4h. Postal Code.....................: 
4i. Country Code (2 letter).........: 
4j. Phone Number....................: 
4k. Fax Number......................: 
4l. Email Address...................: 

5a-j.

Billing Contact
6a. NIC Handle (if known)...........: 
6b. (I)ndividual or (R)ole?.........: I
6c. Name............................: 
6d. Organization Name...............: 
6e. Street Address..................: 
6f. City............................: 
6g. State...........................: 
6h. Postal Code.....................: 
6i. Country Code (2 letter).........: 
6j. Phone Number....................: 
6k. Fax Number......................: 
6l. Email Address...................: 
7a-b.
8a-b.


The party requesting registration of this name certifies that, to her/his
knowledge, the use of this name does not violate trademark or other statutes.

Registering a domain name does not confer any legal rights to that name and
any disputes between parties over the rights to use a particular name are to
be settled between the contending parties using normal legal methods
(see RFC 1591).