I use Tucows OpenSRS (I'm a reseller, but otherwise, just find someone reasonable who is a reseller -- it used to be free to join, then $100, now I think $250).
Basically direct access to both a website and an API for registry functions. If you register enough domain names internally, it's totally worth it. I've never had a problem with them.
They started out as a linux-friendly ISP in Canada, I believe, and have become basically a reasonable registrar -- one of the first group of 34 independent registrars approved by ICANN, and I think the first to really work with resellers.
Hover, which Marco suggests, seems to be a retail part of Tucows.
I've used SRSPlus for years and my only complaints are with their DNS hosting. It sometimes fails for a few minutes at a time, returning no results for a simple dig. I've personally noticed it 2-3 times in the last year so I can only imagine how much it actually happens. There's also no support for TXT records or anything else aside from A, CNAME, and MX.
I've been considering a switch to Hover, but haven't done a trial run yet.
I'm not a fan of Hover though I have all my domains registered with them right now. They store your password in cleartext and their website is downright bizarre - it wants to be iGoogle, I guess.
They're less obnoxious than GoDaddy but that's not saying much.
They email your password to you when you use the "forgot" form.
I notified support about this and the representative said he agrees that it's a security flaw and that he had "sent it up the chain", although this was last year.
Despite this, they're still my preferred registrar.
Comments
I use Tucows OpenSRS (I'm a reseller, but otherwise, just find someone reasonable who is a reseller -- it used to be free to join, then $100, now I think $250).
Basically direct access to both a website and an API for registry functions. If you register enough domain names internally, it's totally worth it. I've never had a problem with them.
They started out as a linux-friendly ISP in Canada, I believe, and have become basically a reasonable registrar -- one of the first group of 34 independent registrars approved by ICANN, and I think the first to really work with resellers.
Hover, which Marco suggests, seems to be a retail part of Tucows.
I've used SRSPlus for years and my only complaints are with their DNS hosting. It sometimes fails for a few minutes at a time, returning no results for a simple dig. I've personally noticed it 2-3 times in the last year so I can only imagine how much it actually happens. There's also no support for TXT records or anything else aside from A, CNAME, and MX.
I've been considering a switch to Hover, but haven't done a trial run yet.
I'm not a fan of Hover though I have all my domains registered with them right now. They store your password in cleartext and their website is downright bizarre - it wants to be iGoogle, I guess.
They're less obnoxious than GoDaddy but that's not saying much.
"They store your password in cleartext" Do you have a reference for this to back up your claim? Preferably before I sign up.
They email your password to you when you use the "forgot" form.
I notified support about this and the representative said he agrees that it's a security flaw and that he had "sent it up the chain", although this was last year.
Despite this, they're still my preferred registrar.
Yeah, I had wondered if it was something like that. It IS a tad concerning.