These companies buy and sell web addresses, and are argued to be responsible for earning a great amount of money off nearly 1,100 domain names that are “confusingly similar” to Dell’s trademarks.

We all know that registering a domain name containing a trademark that doesn’t belong to you is a big no-no.

But what about registering a domain name that is made up of slight misspellings of well-known trademarks?

Here are a couple examples:

• dellsuportcenter.com
• dellfinancialservices.com

The registration of such domain names are called typosquatting, and in Dell’s claim, it is effectively a counterfeit of the authentic ‘trademark holder’s domain name”.

This case has raised a couple issues:

1. Should registrars be held responsible for typosquatting?
2. Should ICANN change its rules to prevent ‘domain tasting’?

Should registrars be held responsible for typosquatting?

Does the Internet need more central regulation?

Would adding an extra layer in the domain registration process resolve the problem of typosquatting?

Is waiting a couple weeks for your domain name approval something we want?

Should ICANN change its rules to prevent ‘domain tasting’?

Definition of Domain tasting

Not only are the domain name squatters earning a profit off Dell brands and trademarks, they aren’t even paying domain name registration fees for doing it.

“David Steele, an attorney representing Dell in the case, said the defendants tasted on average between 30 million and 60 million domains each month.”

So, should ICANN change its policy to prevent domain tasting?

Maybe put enough of a price tag on domain tasting so that it is not profitable anymore?

Side note: 1158pm.com does not offer “domain tasting”.

Once your domain registration request is submitted through our registration form, it is understood that the name requested is genuine and you are sincere about purchasing that name.

We recently ordered a new HVAC unit for our data center.

For those who are not familiar with the term, it’s basically a “heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning” unit.

The unit was delivered (in a box) and was professionally installed.

Everything was working very well and we were very pleased with the purchase.

Then one day, we noticed a small glare of light coming out from the unit.

Being curious geeks, we decided to open up the front panel, and there we saw an HVAC technician, welding.

Mucho kudos to the company who sold us the unit.

Think about it, take an average-sized technician, then take the area of the entrance/opening of the HVAC unit.

How did the technician get in? Tech-in-a-box, literally.

The HVAC tech has successfully demonstrated to us tech support at its best – being there, whenever and wherever needed.

This guy is now our “inspiration-of-the-month”, and we will most definitely be ordering more HVAC units and other equipment from this company.

I can’t remember how many times my supervisor then stressed the importance of checking out works of the professionals.

Common characteristics I find amongst the many web developers around the web include:

• Clean navigation
• Simple layout
• No-clutter
• Great graphics and images
• Fun attitude
• Phenomenal flash work

So, you might be wondering…

How do I create Flash?

You need a Flash program to create your own Flash work. The more popular program is Adobe Flash.

Yes, I am aware of the price tag. But they do have a 30-day free trial you can download.

Adobe Flash is a no-nosense software, designed for advanced, professional, impressive flash work.

For those of us who are interested in something that is more affordable and less-advanced:

1. If you are not looking for a full-on flash website, but simply flash banners, intro pages and text/image effects, check out CoffeeCup Firestarter and Anim-Fx.

2. If you are looking for something similar to Adobe Flash to create a full-on website in Flash, then check out Swish.

3. Flash To Go is an online flash site builder.

How do I add Flash to my website?

Once you have created your flash banner/intro/effects, save it in .swf format.

W3Schools has an awesome tutorial on how to embed flash into your HTML files.

If you are using Adobe or Swish, there is an export function you can use to export your flash files in SWF and HTML formats. Simple upload these files to your web server.

Note: Flash is supported on all 1158pm.com web hosting packages.

Any cases which appear before me with, “I am using Dreamweaver and having trouble connecting to my FTP!”, is a headache to begin with.

I am not trying to bash Dreamweaver, it is a great program to create and design your website. But it is horrible in making FTP connections.

I try to troubleshoot these FTP connections and bam, an error. Sometimes the error message is something that doesn’t make sense! FTP error.

Okay, thank you for explaining the FTP problem here, I will now try to do random things to get make sure that “FTP error” doesn’t occur and “Connection Successful” appear.

Sometimes troubleshooting Dreamweaver takes over 30 minutes with the same results, how frustrating sitting there trying to help the people with something that has low success rates.

Having trouble connecting to your FTP using Dreamweaver? Use a different program to upload your files.

I have advised people to use a different program such as AceFTP for Windows, and CyberDuck for Mac users.

Once I teach them where to find it and set it up, Walla! Instant connection, Instant file uploading, Instant website up! Triple Instants.

Well no, I am exaggerating but, thank you to the makers of AceFTP and Cyberduck, you certainly created a fine program.

Many times I have turned to AceFTP and Cyberduck as workaround. It was just so easy.

You still want to use Dreamweaver? Don’t use Dreamweaver MX, or MX2004. Those are a headache.

Spend a little bit more money on Dreamweaver 8, this will save you a weaved nightmare.

We have to admit that blogs are powerful conversation enablers.

It allows the company to say what it needs to, hear what’s being said, and if necessary, speak up with a correction to a mass audience.

Blog is a tool. An asset. A very important one, and today, we decided to start the 1158pm.com Blog.

The 1158pm.com Blog will be a collaboration of the many individual soapboxes at 1158pm.com.

We will use it as an avenue to discuss:

• Upcoming plans and goals
• New services
• Cool tricks
• Tips and solutions
• Random geekery

This way, you can get to know all of us technology geeks behind 1158pm.com a little bit more.

We also want to use this blog as a means to get to know all of you more.

A place where you can share with us your insight, feedback and suggestions.

A place for us to listen and learn about your needs.

So, it all starts here. Our company, your website, let’s take it to the next step, together.

Now, let’s start blogging!