> >> So far as I know, consumers can edit the fields in their network control
> >> settings for most OSs to direct themselves to any DNS server willing to
> >> resolve names for them.
> >
> >Actually it is a bit more complicated than that.
>
> I should think so. Fact is, most consumers (Mom, Pop, Granny, etc.)
> get lost without an icon to click on. It is this mind set among the
> techie nerds which -- and this may surprise you -- lies at the direct
> root (no pun intended) of the reason why individual domain name
> holders cannot be recognized, no matter what they do.
You probably can't tune your automobile -- they are far too technical
nowadays for the average home joe. Yet you can select which
professional mechanic you go to.
And one can evaluate how good a job that professional does -- if your car
doesn't run afterwords, overheats, dribbles oil, or the gas mileage drops,
you knew he/she screwed up and switch to a new mechanic.
Similarly, even if one can't run a DNS server, one can clearly know
whether when one gets the expected response when one types
"http://www.freds-barbershop.com/ into one's browser.
And in the case of IP telephony (bet you didn't know that DNS is being
used to help route calls in IP telephony) even if you don't understand
H.323, if you call "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" and you get Daves Travel
Agency, then you know that your IP phone company is screwed up and you
might consider switching.
--karl--
