11-15-2007, 09:31 PM
We can talk about what ever you like 
The domain life-cycle is a bit convoluted (well at least it looks that way from the diagram). But to simplify things, domains usually enter one of three phases: Registrar Hold, Redemption Period, and Pending delete.
As a general rule: "expired" domains are domains that have gone past their registration (domains that have not been renewed) and "dropped" domains are domains that have both gone through their registration and then been deleted (so they are avaliable).
When you back order a domain, you usually get it once it has been deleted, or dropped.It's a first come first serve operation. But the domain industry has changed a lot over the last few years, and now the proccess differs per registrar.
Now a days (wow that makes me feel old), domain registrars sign exclusive contracts with drop companies. This keeps the catching proccess in a closed loop. For example, network Solutions signed such an agreement with SnapNames:
If I register a domain at network solutions, and let it expire, the domain will go from Active, all the way to Pending Delete, and then it will be let go. BUT before it is really deleted, Network Solutions checks to see if anyone placed a back order at SnapNames.
If someone did place an order, it goes into auction, if not, it gets deleted (at which point other drop services get their chance to try to 'catch' it).
So, domain names are taken into auctions only when they are deleted, or just before they are deleted. In any case, have no fear, if you pay for the domain, there is NO CHANCE that you will lose it through a technical mechanism of the domain deletion/renewal proccess.
Zach
The domain life-cycle is a bit convoluted (well at least it looks that way from the diagram). But to simplify things, domains usually enter one of three phases: Registrar Hold, Redemption Period, and Pending delete.
As a general rule: "expired" domains are domains that have gone past their registration (domains that have not been renewed) and "dropped" domains are domains that have both gone through their registration and then been deleted (so they are avaliable).
When you back order a domain, you usually get it once it has been deleted, or dropped.It's a first come first serve operation. But the domain industry has changed a lot over the last few years, and now the proccess differs per registrar.
Now a days (wow that makes me feel old), domain registrars sign exclusive contracts with drop companies. This keeps the catching proccess in a closed loop. For example, network Solutions signed such an agreement with SnapNames:
If I register a domain at network solutions, and let it expire, the domain will go from Active, all the way to Pending Delete, and then it will be let go. BUT before it is really deleted, Network Solutions checks to see if anyone placed a back order at SnapNames.
If someone did place an order, it goes into auction, if not, it gets deleted (at which point other drop services get their chance to try to 'catch' it).
So, domain names are taken into auctions only when they are deleted, or just before they are deleted. In any case, have no fear, if you pay for the domain, there is NO CHANCE that you will lose it through a technical mechanism of the domain deletion/renewal proccess.
Zach