New URL, easier to type & remember

[ktinkel]

We have found an alternate, shorter domain name, and have it set to forward to this site. It is fairly easy to remember, and much easier to type.

The only drawback is that forwarding often takes a perceptible few seconds to actually get here. Not sure if there is something we can do about that.

Anyway, here’s the memorable URL for the Desktop Publishing Forum:
http://dtpfor.com/
A mere 6 letters instead of 22 — not bad, huh?

[Kelvyn]

http://dtpfor.com/
A mere 6 letters instead of 22 — not bad, huh?

dtp4.com is available....... that's shorter......

[don Arnoldy]

dtp4.com is available....... that's shorter......Except that DTPFOR is the old CIS go word--so its easier for some of us old-timers to remember.

[Franca]

Very nice!

[ktinkel]

dtp4.com is available....... that's shorter......True. But as Don mentioned, DTPFOR was the old CIS GO word for the original forum, so it has nostalgia value as well as ease of typing. And for the oldtimers, memorability.

We don’t have to be greedy! <g>

Do you know if there is a way to speed up the forwarding? Would masking help?

[Franca]

The only drawback is that forwarding often takes a perceptible few seconds to actually get here. Not sure if there is something we can do about that.I have used it a number of times now and it opens instantly for me every time. So far. ;-)

[ktinkel]

I have used it a number of times now and it opens instantly for me every time. So far. ;-)That’s good — glad to hear it.

For me, I get a little hiccup of a second or two, long enough to notice, and then it pops up.

Not too bad.

[Kelvyn]

Do you know if there is a way to speed up the forwarding? Would masking help?

Best way is not to use forwarding, but to use domain aliasing. So on this server, desktoppublishingforum.com is used as the main domain and dtpfor.com set up as an alias. Quick and simple, and usually done via server control panel. I routinely do this with sites I host, especially where domain.com and domain.co.uk are used.

I won't complain about the forum url. I just have to click a shortcut......

[ktinkel]

Best way is not to use forwarding, but to use domain aliasing. So on this server, desktoppublishingforum.com is used as the main domain and dtpfor.com set up as an alias. Quick and simple, and usually done via server control panel. I routinely do this with sites I host, especially where domain.com and domain.co.uk are used.That means I need to park the short-named URL on the server we use here? (It is parked now in GoDaddy.)

I won't complain about the forum url. I just have to click a shortcut......I don’t either, it is an entry on my menu bar, among other things.

But then there are those moments when I need to type it in (on an alien computer, say) — then I am grateful to have a shorter URL.

And it is good to have a short one to promote outside the forum.

[Kelvyn]

That means I need to park the short-named URL on the server we use here? (It is parked now in GoDaddy.)

No, the nameservers for the new name are set to the same as the long name, which can be done via GoDaddy's control panel. The name stays under GoDaddy's system. But before that the new name must be included as an alias on this server - and not knowing the server setup I don't know if it is possible, although it would be on both of the servers I use for my sites.

[ktinkel]

No, the nameservers for the new name are set to the same as the long name, which can be done via GoDaddy's control panel. The name stays under GoDaddy's system. But before that the new name must be included as an alias on this server - and not knowing the server setup I don't know if it is possible, although it would be on both of the servers I use for my sites.We will look into that. Thank you.

If we now install an alias on this server (assuming we can), then will the forwarding work out? Or do we need to first turn off the forwarding, install the alias, and then turn forwarding back on?

[Kelvyn]

Or do we need to first turn off the forwarding, install the alias, and then turn forwarding back on?

No, change the nameservers first. Currently they will be set to GoDaddy's server, where the redirect takes place. This redirect is "taken out of the loop" when the change propogates.

[ktinkel]

No, change the nameservers first. Currently they will be set to GoDaddy's server, where the redirect takes place. This redirect is "taken out of the loop" when the change propogates.As if we were actually going to host a dtpfor site here? Would that produce the alias you mentioned?

Is there a good site for reading up on this stuff? I hate being so utterly dim.

Thanks.

[Kelvyn]

As if we were actually going to host a dtpfor site here? Would that produce the alias you mentioned?

Yes, I think you have it! See keswickweb.co.uk (http://www.keswickweb.co.uk) and keswickweb.com (http://www.keswickweb.com) which is one site. The .com name is aliased. But see what happens in the address bar when you go to the site from each of these links and then go to an internal page. It is like having two different sites.

Is there a good site for reading up on this stuff? I hate being so utterly dim.

I have not seen one. But if you Google domain alias then it will throw up various hosting companies' faqs on setting aliasing up on their servers.

[don Arnoldy]

If we now install an alias on this server (assuming we can)...RWH calls them Domain Name Pointers. (http://www.realwebhost.net/web_hosting_faqs.php?cidd=6)
From Their Site:
Q: What is a domain name pointer? (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:show%28%27f21%27%29)
A: A domain name pointer is a domain name which simply points to your account. In other words, domain name pointers allow you to have as many domain names point to your website as you wish. These are not multiple accounts with multiple copies of the same website, but instead are two domains pointing to the same website. How it works is simply that both domain names above are pointing to the same IP address.

Q: How much do domain name pointers cost? (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:show%28%27f22%27%29)
A: On some accounts, there are no fees. To find out if there are fees associated with a domain name pointer on your account, please submit a support ticket.Essentially, they type a second entry into their DNS file that associates the new URL with our existing IP address.

[ktinkel]

RWH calls them Domain Name Pointers. (http://www.realwebhost.net/web_hosting_faqs.php?cidd=6)
From Their Site:
Essentially, they type a second entry into their DNS file that associates the new URL with our existing IP address.Thanks. I will go investigate. It does sound more elegant.