Is there a better, more reliable way to check if a domain is in use rather than
trying whois and hoping it wasn't registered since the whois db was last
updated?
For example,
1. user does whois through an order form
2. whois says domain isn't in use
3. user then proceeds to fill in registrant details and credit card info
4. information is validated
5. card payment is authorised
6. domain is registered automatically
7. user is sent confirmation of domain registration
It would be possible to put a whois for the domain in at step 4.5 but if the
whois server isn't up-to-date, the payment could be taken for a domain which has
already been registered.
Simon
