dns

If you are a developer (just a nerd will do, too), you have definitely put a fake DNS entry or two in your /etc/hosts file, at one time or another. Few things are more frustrating than doing that and having to restart your computer for the change to pick up. If you are running a local dns server (e.g. BIND) a glitch like that can happen all the time.

No worries, though. The little command below, ran from the Terminal, will clear dns cache and let your changes be applied instantaneously:

> lookupd -flushcache

or on Mac OS-X 10.5.x (Leopard):

> dscacheutil -flushcache

P.S. I don't know how to do the same on Windows, but the same problem occurs on that platform as well, since it also uses local DNS cache. If you know a solution, feel free to leave a comment :).

Most of you, probably, already know the whole deal with the Registerfly crisis, so I won't bore you re-telling weeks-old story. I happen to be a misfortunate customer of theirs, too, however. So, I wanted to share some of my experiences that may be helpful if you have domains with them.

Firstly, you have to know that you can not transfer domains from Registerfly. They will not provide AuthCodes. Secondly, for most domains you will experience problems when you try to renew expiring domains.

Now, good luck getting in touch with ICANN. All they've done so far is published a memo describing in detail the situation. That's nice but it does not help at all when you have domains expiring in couple days.

I called ICANN and they provided an e-mail address: authcodes AT_SIGN registerfly dot com. This is an e-mail address that supposedly Registerfly gave ICANN to forward customers with problems to.