Within the network of computer networks that we've come to know as the Internet, every computer has a unique identity, which is known as its Internet Protocol (IP) address.  The IP address is a series of numbers separated by periods (such as 209.123.62.9).  While this system is fine for computers to manage, most computers users feel more comfortable with a system based on names.  Every domain name is tagged to an individual IP address.

Most domain names are based on an individual's or organization's identity, preferably something catchy and easy to remember.  Many people feel that all the best domain names for the Internet have already been taken.  This is probably true.  In Canada, domain name registration is governed by the Canadian Internet Registration Agency (CIRA), who can easily tell you if the domain name of your dreams is available.  Domain name registrations generally cost between $15 and $50 per year, and must be renewed annually.  There are a number of accredited Registrars across Canada who can look after this, and in many cases your web hosting service provider will handle your domain name registration and even absorb the costs if you set up a hosting arrangement with them.

Web addresses (URL's) have several components:  the first part is the hostname (the "www" part), followed by the actual domain name, and the last part (the ".com" or ".ca" or ".org") is known as the Top Level Domain (TLD).  This means that even if your favorite name is already in use as a ".com", you may still be able to register it as a ".ca" (only in Canada, of course) or ".net" or ".org".

In 2001, several new TLD's were added to the mix, including ".tv", ".biz" and ".info".  As well, most nations have a specific TLD code for their country, including ".uk" for Great Britain, ".mx" for Mexico, ".it" for Italy and ".th" for Thailand.  The one significant exception to this is the United States, which apparently seems to think it owns the Internet anyway.  In the U.S. when they see a ".ca" at the end of a URL, they start thinking California.

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