Domainer

And that’s it. People have a tendency to over-explain the term, domainer. Domaining encompasses many activities associated with domain name utilization. Not just resale. Not just parking. Definitely not cybersquatting (though that exists). Domaining can include full-scale web development, or any combination of approaches. Domainers are diverse, and in my experience, often ethical and intelligent people.

Side note: Whoever wrote the current Wikipedia page on “domaining” needs to erase it and start over. The page contains too much misinformation and personal bias.

Most domainers became interested in domain names as an extension of enjoying the internet, and embracing some element of the net that was fun and exciting. Still others happened up on domaining, somewhat by accident, as a result of taking their company online and exploring things like website design and webhosting. What’s your story?

My story began with songwriting and recording music. I purchased a digital hard-disk recording system in 1992 having been a multitrack reel-to-reel guy for a number of years. In the mid-1990′s, I was recording area musicians’ CD’s, guest playing on their songs, and writing my own material which eventually led to my own CD. The internet was being discovered … usually via AOL over slow 28k modems (made only to test your patience and sanity).

I began designing a promotional website to market my music, and eventually needed to register something called a “domain name” (so people could access my music site over the net). Naturally enough, I registered my own name. Things began to take off after joining MP3.com, Billboard Music Net, and Soundclick … who all provided me featured spots on their internet charts. After some local newspaper articles on my music exploits, I decided to resign my position and take some time to move things further forward. This resulted in an unexpected detour.

As I was finishing two more songs, learning html and graphics editing, I had the proverbial epiphany (like many others!) when I heard about the multi-million dollar sales of Business.com and Loans.com. I became fascinated with the concept of what a domain name could represent, and how it could become a portal, or magnet, for people interested in a particular subject. I had been a pretty active member of music forums, and had seen the incredible way in which people separated by continents could connect. This was futuristic, and exciting. I wasn’t sure how the opportunity would take shape, but I knew something important was looming, and I wanted to join in.

Domain names seemed the most perfect, single vehicle for accessing this incredible future technology called “the internet”. But it was happening now! My local phone company was literally laying broadband cable day-after-day in the rural area where I lived. Something special was coming to America, and to the world. My innate curiosity really took off.

Having pretty much missed the boat in 1999 on true premium .com domains, I geared up & strategized to take the .info world by storm. dotINFO was the first “post-modern” .com alternative and it captured considerable attention. It made sense: .info for “information“. I got it!

So much has happened in the domain name industry, in so short a time it seems. But here we are today, 2009. And despite all that has passed, we are still near the beginning. The internet was not a fad. It’s a prolific, planet-changing technology. The .com “bust” was not some final end, but only a small hiccup in what appears to be a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip. I’m not done domaining. Are you?