Hi guys,
Following information is for all of the novices in the webhosting world.

What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address that users will enter in their web browser (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) to access your web site. For example for this site www.webhostingtalk.com , webhostingtalk.com is the domain name. A domain name is actually made up of 3 parts:-
1.Subdomain This constitutes a provider of an Internet Service.
2.Domain type This suggests the type of provider. for eg. the string org(short for organisaiton) is used for an organisation.
3.Country code Every country has its own specific code. For instance, au is the code for Australia

Why You Need A Domain Name


On the World Wide Web your domain name is your own unique identity. No two parties can ever hold the same domain name simultaneously; therefore your Internet identity is totally unique. If you have a business site on the Internet your domain name is your own online brand and in a sense you can use your domain name as your online business card. With your own domain name your web site, and e-mail addresses for example will have that professional look, being unique to your business. Many people often miss the importance of having and then keeping their domain name until they lose it. Once this happens they soon realize that they have lost their whole online identity.

MOD EDIT: Participants may not post any message that directs others to any pages at their own commercial web site, including informational pages.

"1.Subdomain This constitutes a provider of an Internet Service."

I am not following there this came from.

also there is no mention of gTLDs.

Basic information can also be found at ICANN (http://www.icann.org) and here is another place of which I have no affiliation. NameFAQs (http://www.namefaqs.com/index.html)