Monitoring Multiple Domain Names

Ye' old general discussion board. Basically, for everything that isn't covered elsewhere. Come here to shoot the breeze, shoot your mouth off, or whatever suits your fancy.
This forum is not for asking programming related questions.

Moderator: General Moderators

Post Reply
nickvd
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Southern Ontario
Contact:

Monitoring Multiple Domain Names

Post by nickvd »

HOWDY!

Hope everyone had a great break... It's been a mad-house over here for the past couple weeks. I've been tasked with the take-over of multiple domains and sites from a "less than stellar" developer who has allowed a couple domains to expire (not good by any means). I want to make 100% sure that this never happens again. I've been searching for some software (or a service) that will monitor my domains for their expiry dates (and other relevant info).

So far, the only software that I've been able to find is 'Master of My Domain' for the mac, and while I do own an older iBook, it's not my main machine, so I'd like to (hopefully) find a suitable windows alternative. I'll stick with the mac if that's the only software out there as I really want to make the switch (but not on a 600mhz iBook ;)).

So... the question is... What do you guys/gals use to monitor the dozens of domains you control?
User avatar
Kieran Huggins
DevNet Master
Posts: 3635
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:14 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Post by Kieran Huggins »

My domain company has both auto-renewal AND e-mail notifications. I've NEVER even come CLOSE to losing one I didn't intend to. I would switch to a reseller that had those features - it's the less crufty option, IMO.

Or you could put the expiry dates in Google Calendar (recurring yearly) and have it email you a couple of weeks in advance.
nickvd
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Southern Ontario
Contact:

Post by nickvd »

Kieran Huggins wrote:My domain company has both auto-renewal AND e-mail notifications. I've NEVER even come CLOSE to losing one I didn't intend to. I would switch to a reseller that had those features - it's the less crufty option, IMO.

Or you could put the expiry dates in Google Calendar (recurring yearly) and have it email you a couple of weeks in advance.
I was contemplating using a calendar for the reminders (and will likely end up using one). From here on out all new domains that I purchase will be with the same registrar, making the task of maintaining them much easier. The problem I currently have is many different domains registered through different registrars and switching them isn't always an option (not everyone can handle .ca's)...

Google Calendar FTW! heh
User avatar
Kieran Huggins
DevNet Master
Posts: 3635
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:14 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Post by Kieran Huggins »

I've had good results with domainsatcost.ca
User avatar
Benjamin
Site Administrator
Posts: 6935
Joined: Sun May 19, 2002 10:24 pm

Post by Benjamin »

Uh, how bout a spreadsheet?
nickvd
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Southern Ontario
Contact:

Post by nickvd »

astions wrote:Uh, how bout a spreadsheet?
The point is to send me notices prior to the expiry... If I only had a handful of domains to deal with that would work perfectly (I already have one for customer contact information), but with many dozens of domains expiring all throughout the year, it would become too much of a hassle to solely rely on that.

I'll very likely just end up importing all the dates in to google calendar...
User avatar
Benjamin
Site Administrator
Posts: 6935
Joined: Sun May 19, 2002 10:24 pm

Post by Benjamin »

You can sort items in a spreadsheet by date and check it once every two weeks or monthly. If you really want to get technical you can build a little php app and run it on a cron job. I can't imagine spending money on something like that. But hey if there's a market for it start your own website charging people to notify them of when domains expire. I just don't think there's much rocket science involved here.
nickvd
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Southern Ontario
Contact:

Post by nickvd »

astions wrote:You can sort items in a spreadsheet by date and check it once every two weeks or monthly. If you really want to get technical you can build a little php app and run it on a cron job. I can't imagine spending money on something like that. But hey if there's a market for it start your own website charging people to notify them of when domains expire. I just don't think there's much rocket science involved here.
I agree 100% I was only curious as to what is available (and if there is any interest) I really hate re-inventing the wheel, so it always pays to ask! :)
Post Reply