Out of curiosity I checked with my domain name registrar today to see if my own name was available. I have done this in the past and I think it wasn't. Well, my registrar still says its not available, but when I do a WhoIs the results come up emtpy...what gives?

Here's the results:

No match for "myname.COM" in the registrar database.    The previous information has been obtained either directly from the registrant or a registrar of the domain name other than Network Solutions. Network Solutions, therefore, does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.         Show underlying registry data for this record    Current Registrar: GO DADDY SOFTWARE, INC. IP Address: 68.178.232.100  (ARIN & RIPE IP search) IP Location: -(-) Record Type: Domain Name Server Type: Indeterminate Lock Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK DMOZ no listings Y! Directory: see listings Secure: No E-commerce: No Traffic Ranking: Not available Data as of: 14-Jun-2005

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Eggheads unite! You have nothing to lose but your yolks.

well, if it's expired, it is on hold for a while just in case someone forgot to re-register it.

although the date in your example is 2005.

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Everywhere's Local (classifieds, job postings, & more for everycity in the world - user entered)

I found that there is a status code attached to the domain in question. Just for reference, here is a list of status codes and what they mean:

RRP Domain Status Codes Below are the various domain status codes and a brief description of each (from RFC2832). ACTIVE This is the default status of a domain at registration time. The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain is modifiable by the registrar. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server. REGISTRY-LOCK The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-LOCK status for the registrar to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server. REGISTRY-HOLD The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-HOLD status for the registrar to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL NOT be included in the zone file when in this status. REGISTRAR-HOLD The registrar of the domain sets the domain to this status. The domain can not be modified or deleted when in this status. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRAR-HOLD status to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL NOT be included in the zone file when in this status. REGISTRAR-LOCK The registrar of the domain sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted when in this status. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRAR-LOCK status to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status. REGISTRY-DELETE-NOTIFY A domain is set on this status if it has expired and has child name servers that are hosting other domains. Only the registry may set this status. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server. The domain deletion progresses through the following statuses. REDEMPTIONPERIOD A domain name is placed in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status when a registrar requests the deletion of a name that is not within the Add Grace Period. A name that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will not be included in the zone file. A registrar can not modify or purge a name in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The only action a registrar can take on a name in REDEMPTIONPERIOD is to request that it be restored. Any other registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. Unless restored, the domain will be held in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status for a specified number of calendar days. The current length of this Redemption Period is thirty calendar days. PENDINGDELETE A domain name is placed in PENDINGDELETE status if it has not been restored during the Redemption Period. A name that is in PENDINGDELETE status will not be included in the zone file. All registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in PENDINGDELETE status will be rejected. A domain name is purged from the registry database a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGDELETE status. The current length of this Pending Delete Period is five calendar days. PENDINGRESTORE A domain name is placed in PENDINGRESTORE status when a registrar requests restoration of a domain that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. A name that is in PENDINGRESTORE status will be included in the zone file. Registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will be rejected. A domain name is returned to REDEMPTIONPERIOD status a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGRESTORE unless the registrar submits a complete Registrar Restore Report to the Registry Operator. The current length of this Pending Restore Period is seven calendar days.

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Eggheads unite! You have nothing to lose but your yolks.