I'm learning so much from this discussion. I'll throw in my data point (I believe it's relevant):
I ran shell scripts on 10 nodes with fast backbone connections, making DNS queries of all possible 4-letter and 5-letter .com's. Obviously, if the domain doesn't NXDOMAIN, it has been taken.
At the time (before domain squatting was shut down) all legal 4-letter domains were taken.
From the NXDOMAINs, I ran a much slower whois script to see if the domain was registered but missing a DNS entry.
From that final list of unclaimed domains, I was quickly able to spot the one I wanted.
No such thing as what you are saying. You are probably referring to the penalties that are assessed for domain tasting whereby a registrar is penalized if they return to many domains relative to the ratio of registered domains (registrars also pay more money to ICANN depending on how they handle this as well).
Much to much work to do the way you are doing it. You need to get a copy of the zone files there are people with access to that (we have access but we don't sell access others do though for nominal charges).
Comments
I'm learning so much from this discussion. I'll throw in my data point (I believe it's relevant):
I ran shell scripts on 10 nodes with fast backbone connections, making DNS queries of all possible 4-letter and 5-letter .com's. Obviously, if the domain doesn't NXDOMAIN, it has been taken.
At the time (before domain squatting was shut down) all legal 4-letter domains were taken.
From the NXDOMAINs, I ran a much slower whois script to see if the domain was registered but missing a DNS entry.
From that final list of unclaimed domains, I was quickly able to spot the one I wanted.
"domain squatting was shut down"
No such thing as what you are saying. You are probably referring to the penalties that are assessed for domain tasting whereby a registrar is penalized if they return to many domains relative to the ratio of registered domains (registrars also pay more money to ICANN depending on how they handle this as well).
Much to much work to do the way you are doing it. You need to get a copy of the zone files there are people with access to that (we have access but we don't sell access others do though for nominal charges).
Thanks for the great insights!