Top Level Domains (TLDs)

Top Level Domains (TLDs)

Definition: The most general part of a domain name

There are currently more than 1,000 different Top Level Domains in existence

We will focus on 5 common TLDs: .com, .net, .org, .gov, and .edu

How Are TLDs Useful?

Top Level Domains can help you determine the credibility of a website

Because anyone can publish anything on the web, TLDs are a valuable clue as to the source of a website

.com.com represents a commercial entity (such as a business or corporation)

.com is the most common TLD (there are more than 100 million .com TLDs!)

Anyone can purchase a .com TLD; therefore its credibility is not guaranteed

Examples: Facebook.com, Amazon.com, etc.

.net.net was intended for networks, but now is often used in place of .com

Many businesses now use .net TLDs

Anyone can purchase a .net TLD; therefore its credibility is not guaranteed

Examples: Comcast.net, Slideshare.net

.org.org was intended for non-profit organizations, but now is open

Anyone can purchase a .org TLD

.org websites tend to be more credible than .com or .net -- but there is no guarantee

Examples: PBS.org, Wikipedia.org, etc.

.gov.gov is restricted to government entities

.gov websites are usually credible

State agencies often have the state abbreviation before the .gov TLD

Examples: WhiteHouse.gov, Access.wa.gov

.edu.edu is restricted to educational institutions such as colleges and universities

.edu websites are usually very credible

Examples: Washington.edu, Shoreline.edu, Stanford.edu

Q&AWhat does each of the following abbreviations represent?

TLD.com.net.org.gov.edu

Q&A

What can a person tell by looking at a the TLD of a website?

How is this useful?

Q&AOnly one of the following is an actual website. Which one is it? Why?

www.Shorelineschools.comwww.Shorelineschools.netwww.Shorelineschools.org

Q&A

Which website is probably more credible? Why?

www.Ask.comwww.FactCheck.org

Q&A

Which website is probably more credible? Why?

www.HistorySite.comwww.TeachingHistory.org www.Archives.gov

Q&A

Which website is probably more credible? Why?

www.Wikipedia.org www.WSU.edu

AssignmentUse your iPad to find:

1)An authentic-looking website with misleading or bogus information

2)The most credible site for finding the current population of the U.S.

3) .edu site with good information for doing World History research