Patent describes system for providing alternatives to already registered domain names.

When you search for a domain name at any major registrar, and the domain isn’t available, the registrar will likely serve up a list of similar domain names that are available for registration. VeriSign just got a patent for part of that process.

U.S. Patent 7,664,831 (pdf) was applied for in 2001, based on a provisional patent application filed in 2000. Here’s the abstract:

A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described that determines alternatives to a specified textual identifier, such as a domain name, by identifying and using words and phrases that are related to the identifier. A variety of types of related words can be used, such as synonyms and translations, and the related words can be determined in a variety of ways. One situation in which alternatives can be generated is after a user has requested to use or acquire an unavailable textual identifier, such as a request to register an already registered domain name, and the determined alternatives can then be presented to the user as possibilities for use or acquisition. When multiple alternatives are presented to the user, they can also be ranked as to relevance and ordered in a variety of ways.

The patent describes a system where synonyms and substituted words help determine available domain name alternatives.

You’ll recognize one of the inventors of the system: Jothan Frakes. Frakes, currently with new gTLD consultancy Minds and Machines, worked for VeriSign at the time the application was filed.

© DomainNameWire.com 2009.

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Whois service gets MVP.

Perhaps it’s only fitting that the top domain tool is, well, DomainTools.

The popular whois service was selected as the “most valuable” software or hosted application for domain research and management, according to respondents in the 5th Annual Domain Name Wire Survey.

39% of those surveyed picked DomainTools, nearly three times as many as the next highest vote-getter.

Here are the top five results:

1. DomainTools (39%)
2. FreshDrop (14%) – expired domain evaluation system
3. Estibot (14%) – domain appraisal and sales system
4. Domain Research Tool (5%)
5. Watch My Domains (4%) – domain portfolio management

What’s interesting about the top five are that none of them are really “competitors” of the other. From expired domains to domain sales to domain prospecting, each helps domainers with a distinctly different part of their business.

A handful of write-in votes were received for Google’s free keyword tool and Valuate.com.

More survey results are available here.

© DomainNameWire.com 2009.

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Bad weather not enough to ruin Mardi Gras.

Despite mother nature’s best attempt, the weather couldn’t spoil the second successful Domainer Mardi Gras conference.

The event kicked off last Thursday night in New Orleans, concluding in the wee hours of the morning Sunday. Widespread snow storms made it difficult to fly into New Orleans, but most of the 150-odd registrants made it.

For those that didn’t, Domainer Mardi Gras’ technical team did its best to bridge the gap. Two speakers weren’t able to make it, but a Skype hookup connected Elliot Silver and John Berryhill to the event.

John Berryhill was on a panel I moderated about new top level domain names. It was kind of scary, actually. Picture a 15 foot tall Berryhill on two screens behind the stage.

Michael Ward, Executive Director of the event, deserves props for thinking of all of the details. He did a fantastic job making sure all of the speakers were prepared well in advance, which led to interesting and thought-provoking sessions. Sig Solares and Donny Simonton from Parked also did a great job, making everyone feel at home.

And whomever had the idea to fly in bartenders from Florida (I believe that’s a first for a domain conference) deserves a round of applause.

I can’t wait for Domainer Mardi Gras 2011.

© DomainNameWire.com 2009.

Review and rate domain name parking companies at Parking Judge.

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