Setting up a domain

[Undertoad]

I register about 30 names a year.

I can't stand Network Solutions any longer. From the original problems when they were a monopoly, to the ridiculous changes, to the spam, to their lack of ability to get their services web-ized.

Over the last two years, tons and tons of name registrars have sprung up. I've used Dotster (dotster.com) for incredibly cheap registrations ($15/year) and have been generally pleased. I hadn't had any problems at all with them until having to send a TON of information to transfer a domain's owndership recently. They require so much documentation to do that, it's really ridiculous.

On the other hand, they've recently redone their web site, and have web-based services for almost every other matter. So I think I'll stick with them.

I don't know anything about pointing your name at the free web hosting services. You'll need information from your hosting provider before setting out to get a domain name. Otherwise, you'll wind up paying the service extra, useless money to "park" the domain.