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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    chica go go
    Posts
    11,876

    Obtaining, and Installing JWhois Windows Whois Client

    JWhois is a program which was created by the GNU for users to perform whois queries on domains in order to determine their ownership, and availability.

    The only problem for a long time was that the GNU only distributed jwhois in source code for people using unix operating systems to compile and install themselves.

    Fortunantely, a group of people have taken these GNU applications, and ported them over so they may be run on windows.

    This tutorial will guide you on the steps needed to obtain this program, and install it, so you may be able to perform whois queries via the command line.


    1) Point your browser to http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...ckage_id=39244 (it may be slow)

    2) Pick the newest version, and the file which has an .exe extention, at this time, you will want to click on "Download jwhois-3.2.2-2.exe"

    3) If you have never downloaded from sourceforge.net, you will need to choose a file mirror. This is fairly simple, because it just requires you pick the location that is closest to you. I personally favor the easynews mirror.

    4) Begin the download


    5) Once the program is downloaded, go through the installation choosing all default options


    If you are using Windows XP, you will continue to step 6, if you are using windows 2000 or otherwise, skip to step 7.

    6) After the program is installed, click start, right click on the "My Computer" icon, and select properties. Once there, navigate to the "Advanced" Tab and click on the button labeled "Enviroment Variables"

    7) After the program is installed, navigate to your desktop, and right click on "my computer" to select properties. Once that window opens, navigate to the advanced tab, and click the button labeled "Enviroment Variables"


    8) In the enviroment variables window, click on the variable labeled "Path" in the bottom text box. Once that item is selected, click "Edit"

    9) In the "Variable Value" input area, click that option, and hit your "End" key to navigate to the very end. Once there, add a semicolon ( and add "C:\program files\GnuWin32\bin\" to the very end. Once that variable is set, click "ok" in that window, and "ok" in the original my comptuer preferences window

    10) Navigate to C:\program files\GnuWin32\bin\ in explorer, and rename jwhois.exe to whois.exe

    11) Click start, and select "run", in the run dialog box, type cmd.exe

    12) In this new window, attempt to run a whois query by running

    Code:
    whois google.com
    it should return the domain registration records for google.com . If it returns an error like

    Code:
    'whois' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
    operable program or batch file.
    you should run the "path" program to make sure c:\program files\GnuWin32\bin\ is included in your path variable. You may need to reboot in order for that path variable change to take effect.


    One thing you should learn about domains is that sometimes results differ from whois server to whois server. To query a domain at a specific whois server run the following command:

    Code:
    whois domain.com @whois.registrar.com
    One example i had to deal with a couple nights ago was whois.enom.com (the domain registrar) showing the correct record, but whois.afilias.info (the .info domain registry) showing an older record. I had to run

    Code:
    whois goofyboots.info @whois.enom.com
    To check the result at the enom whois servers, and

    Code:
    whois goofyboots.info @whois.afilias.info
    To check the result at whois.afilias.info .


    To check a domain's availability, you will simply run

    Code:
    whois areallylongdomainthatnobodywouldwant.com
    that would return the following:

    Code:
    C:\>whois areallylongdomainthatnobodywouldwant.com
    [Querying whois.internic.net]
    [whois.internic.net]
    
    Whois Server Version 1.3
    
    Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
    with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
    for detailed information.
    
    No match for domain "AREALLYLONGDOMAINTHATNOBODYWOULDWANT.COM".
    
    >>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 08:24:07 EDT <<<
    
    NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
    registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
    currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
    date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
    registrar.  Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
    view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.
    
    TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
    database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
    automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
    modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
    Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
    information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
    about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
    guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
    by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
    for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
    to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
    unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,
    or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
    that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
    repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
    prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
    use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
    query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
    domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
    to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
    operational stability.  VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
    Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
    reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
    
    The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
    Registrars.
    If the query returns

    Code:
    No match for domain "AREALLYLONGDOMAINTHATNOBODYWOULDWANT.COM".
    that means the domain has yet to be registered at whois.internic.net (the whois server which stores records for every domain that has been registered) .

    Keep in mind, if you recently registered a domain, it may exist in your registrar's whois database, but not internic's . You should check your registrar's FAQ to see just how long registration takes. some domains may take longer to register than others. for example, .info domains usually register within minutes of initial purchase.


    Happy Whoising

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Kuwait
    Posts
    10,620
    not bad for for windows client afterall

    i've seen also few toolbars that has whois support here and there
    Bashar Al-Abdulhadi - KuwaitNET Internet Services Serving customers since 1997
    Kuwait's First Webhosting and Domain Registration provider - an ICANN Accredited Registrar

    Twitter: Bashar Al-Abdulhadi

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