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Thread ID: 61023 2005-08-22 06:06:00 strange DNS question robsonde (120) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
382916 2005-08-22 06:06:00 http://bob

if you put that in a browser you get http://www.bobmarley.com/

there are others too.....

http://http

and you get to the MS home page.

anyone know what search program or DNS redirect thing is going on??
robsonde (120)
382917 2005-08-22 06:16:00 The only way a DNS server can "redirect" like this is by having the alternative names for a site registered (and paid for ;)). "http://http" might be handled by the MSN search engine which might be invoked by a MS browser after the DNS system rejects it. (Or MS might have registered the "http" name. They've probably patented the DNS system, too.) Graham L (2)
382918 2005-08-22 06:23:00 My browser (Firefox) uses Google for the default search engine. I've noticed before when people post URL's with a double http: by mistake that you end up at the Microsoft homepage.

I just tried http://pressf1 and google resolved that address to this site :thumbs:

Trying press gives this site http: whch is the Associated Press website.

Think the browser/search engine performs a search for the best matching terms to find the correct URL.

Interesting how http: gives you Microsoft though :rolleyes:
Jen (38)
382919 2005-08-22 07:12:00 Google doesn't "resolve" site addresses. It gives you links based on its search for a keyword or words. The link is submitted (by you) to the DNS server system to be resolved into an IP address.

I don't think anyone (even MS) could register just "http" -- the DNS specifications require a toplevel domain part so every name has at least two components. "Bob.com" would be registrable, but "bob" would not. Perhaps MS beat the search engines by hiding millions of hidden "http" strings in their home page.
Graham L (2)
382920 2005-08-22 07:28:00 Google doesn't "resolve" site addresses. It gives you links based on its search for a keyword or words. The link is submitted (by you) to the DNS server system to be resolved into an IP address.
Yes, Graham you are quite right. Wrong choice of word by me. :p
Jen (38)
382921 2005-08-22 07:32:00 When I put those addresses into my firefox it does an "I'm feeling lucky" search at google for the word you put in the address bar. Jeremy (1197)
382922 2005-08-22 08:56:00 The only way a DNS server can "redirect" like this is by having the alternative names for a site registered (and paid for ;)).Remember the Verisign domain hijacking saga though, where all mistyped URL's were redirected to Verisign

See here:
www.theregister.co.uk
ninja (1671)
382923 2005-08-23 03:45:00 But you have to own a top-level DNS server to be able to do that. Not many people do. I suppose MS could buy them all ... Graham L (2)
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