Frequently Asked Questions What is a domain name? What's involved in getting my domain name? Once I have a domain name, how can I make changes to it? How do I change ownership of my domain name? (ie. I want to sell it or give it to someone else) What's the difference in using different registrars and RSPs to register domain names? Registry? Registrar? Registrant? What do these words mean? How can I get in touch with my Registration Service Provider? I can get a domain name for $x less at Uncle Daddy's Domain Names dot com I forgot my login name and password. Who does a registered name actually belong to, the end user or the Registration Service Provider? How much control do domain owners have over their domain once they've signed up through MetaPros? What's the difference between .com, .net, .org domain names? What's the difference between a ccTLD and a gTLD? This is fascinating. Where can I go for more information on the domain name space? I'm trying to manage my domain. I'm able to log in just fine but when I hit any of the control pages (Profile, Admin, etc.), it pops me back to the login screen. I'm trying to change the Name Servers for the domain, but it won't let me. The error is "Domain status does not allow for operation".   Answers What is a domain name? A domain name is essentially a signpost on the Internet. Every website you've ever been to, and every email you've ever composed, has used a domain name in its address. People register domain names in order to 'stake a claim' to a particular name -- whether for business or personal reasons. Once a domain name is registered to a person or company, it is that person's to use exclusively as long as they continue to pay the yearly renewal fee. Our domain name is metapros.net, and we also own metapros.com and metapros.org   ::Back to Top   What's involved in getting my domain name? MetaPros has a built a domain registration process that you initiate from our web site. Simply visit our website at http://www.metapros.net and click on Domain Registration.   ::Back to Top   Once I have a domain name, how can I make changes to it? You can make changes to your domain name by using the Domain Name Registration Management interface at: https://www.metapros.net/domreg/maintain.html. Bear in mind you'll need your domain's username and password to make the desired changes. If you don't have a username and password or have forgotten them, please contact MetaPros.   ::Back to Top   How do I change ownership of my domain name? (ie. I want to sell it or give it to someone else) You can simply give your username and password to the new owner, and allow them to change the contact information using the Manage Domain interface. They should also change the domain's profile to a new one with a unique username and password. To change the contact information: In the Manage Domain interface, click on Organization link and update the information To change the domain's profile: Log into the Manage Domain interface. Click on "Manage Profile" and then select "Change Ownership of Domain". Fill out the username/password of the profile you want to add this domain to, or create a new profile and provide a username and password. If you are moving the domain to an existing profile, click on "Move to existing profile" and type the name of a domain that is already in the profile into the "Previously registered domain" field. Click on "Change Owner" and the domain will be in the new profile. * It is important to remember that anyone with the profile login information can change all info for all domains in the profile, including ownership.   ::Back to Top   What's the difference in using different registrars and RSPs to register domain names? As far as the operation of the domain name goes, there's no difference.  All gTLD domain names, regardless of where they were registered are entered into the same registry and are all referenced from the Internet in the same manner.  The difference is in the service and support that you get and the prices that you pay.  Many people still think that Network Solutions the is only source for registrations, but that has changed.  They are better known than most other registrars because they ran the first domain registration business without competition for a number of years, and many domain names remain registered with them.   ::Back to Top   Registry? Registrar? Registrant? RSP? What do these words mean? Registrar: A "Registrar" (or "Domain Name Registrar") is an organization like OpenSRS, Network Solutions, or Register.com that has been granted license and control over the granting of domains within certain TLDs (top level domains, like the generic .com/.org/.net or country-specific .ca/.us/.mx/.ws etc.). Registry: The 'Registry' is the backend that registrars have shared access to. Each registrar writes new names to a central registry database, from which the authoritative root (essentially, a table of all domain names on the Internet) is built. Registrant: A registrant is the person or company who purchases a domain name. For example, Jane Doe (Registrant) contacts MetaPros (RSP), who registers the name janedoe.com through a Registrar who in turn writes the name to the central database (Registry). RSP (Registration Service Provider): The company (MetaPros) that you (the Registrant), works with for domain name registration issues.   ::Back to Top   How can I get in touch with my Registration Service Provider? Information on contacting MetaPros is available at the "Contact Us" section of our website - http://www.metapros.net.  We will make sure to expedite your request as quickly as possible.   ::Back to Top   I can get a domain name for $x less at Uncle Daddy's Domain Names dot com. If you want to register your domain name elsewhere for whatever reason, feel free to do so - it's a free market!  Keep in mind though, that MetaPros cannot and will not provide any assistance with issues involving domain names registered elsewhere, with the possible exception of helping to change the registration's name servers settings to show MetaPros name servers.  Keep all in perspective -- you might be able pay $1 or $2 less per year, but is that really saving you anything overall?  Our pricing is set to allow us to provide the same high level of customer service regarding your registration that you are accustomed to with your hosting account.   ::Back to Top   I forgot my login name and password. Please contact MetaPros Support.  If you are a hosting customer, use the "Email Support" section of your hosting account's online Account Manager.  Otherwise, see the "Contact Us" section of our website - http://www.metapros.net   ::Back to Top   Who does a registered name actually belong to, the end user or the Registration Service Provider? Domain names are not truly owned -- they're leased out on a first-come, first-served basis, and remain with the initial lessee until either a) the lessee does not renew the name, or b) a business with a trademark of the same name demonstrates a greater claim to the name than the lessee can demonstrate. The question is better phrased as 'who can control the domain name'. The answer is the domain's Administrative Contact.   ::Back to Top   How much control do domain owners have over their domain once they've signed up through MetaPros?   Domain owners, in general, have full control over their registered domain names via the Domain Name Registration Management interface. This means that the domain owner has the power to: a) Change admin/technical and billing contacts for the domain. b) Change ownership of the domain. c) Change the nameservers that are authoritative for the domain. d) Create sub-users and enable them to change some/all of the options in a, b and c above. e) Change the password that enables a, b, c, and d above. ::Back to Top   What's the difference between .com, .net, .org domain names? Originally, the three letter extensions after the dot (or Top Level Domain/TLD) were meant to denote whether the domain name was being used for business (.com) charity/non-profit (.org) or for a technology based company (.net). However, with the explosion of the Internet (and specifically, the world wide web) as a new business medium, the lines were blurred, and companies and individuals alike started cross-registering domains (ie. Me.com, me.net, me.org) just to protect their interests. Now, .com, .net, and .org names (the generic Top Level Domains) can be used for any purpose.   ::Back to Top   What's the difference between a ccTLD and a gTLD? A gTLD is a generic Top Level Domain. These are top level domains that are NOT affiliated with any country and can be registered by anyone for a fee. Currently, these are .com, .net, and .org. ccTLDs are Country Code Top Level Domains.These are the two character top level domain names affiliated with various countries around the world. Many ccTLDs are closed or restricted, requiring proof of residency in the country in question. Others are not restricted, and can be purchased much like gTLDs.   ::Back to Top   This is fascinating. Where can I go for more information on the domain name space? For a detailed account on the evolution of the domain space as a business phenomenon, visit http://www.icann.org.   ::Back to Top   I'm trying to manage my domain. I'm able to log in just fine but when I hit any of the control pages (Profile, Admin, etc.), it pops me back to the login screen. You probably don't have cookies enabled in your browser. This interface requires that cookies be enabled.   ::Back to Top   I'm trying to change the Name Servers for the domain, but it will not let me. The error is "Domain status does not allow for operation". Click on "Domain Locking" and disable the registration lock. That should allow you to change the name servers.   ::Back to Top