Dean; > > > > > The "set" is the set of *registered* names. The proper and only way to > > > > > query this set is through whois. > > > > > > > > The only reason to have domain names registered is to use it > > > > through DNS. > > > > > > The only reason we have DNS is to associate information such as IP > > > addresses with names. > > > > I think you should clarify your terminology. > > > > You say "names". But, is it "whois names" or "domain names"? > > I mean "people useful" names. Whois is a protocol for accessing the > registration of names. DNS is a a protocol for distributing Records Wrong. Whois protocol is a protocol for accessing the registration of names, not specifically domain names. DNS, domain name system, is not a protocol but the system to manage domain names. DNS protocol is the protocol to access domain names. The system, of course, includes registries, which may use any additional protocol. > Registries of names are found all over > civilization. At the Department of Motor Vehicles, at the Patent and > Trademark Office, at the Department of State Division of Corporations, > etc. That's why clarification that we are discussing on domain names of DNS essentially important. As you are talking about not domain names of DNS system but other names, your statement has nothing to do with domain names. The remaining problem is that you don't understand "has nothing to do with". But you can understand, I hope, that verisign is not the trademark registry. Or, you may be able to consult with dictionaries. Masataka Ohta