Domain name 3 characters minimum?

[hwang]

Hey I just found something today. If you type [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], you will actually be directed to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] which is F1's official website.

The thing is that, I thought two characters are not allowed but in this case, it is different. Sounds like a silly question but any idea why it is so?

[life31]

Indeed there are two character domains into the market. Rather I would say that you could actually register them years ago.

But then now I dont think thats possible and that too for a common man cos names are exceptionally valuable and none of commen mans business.
And moreever the owner today would not prefer it to sell them off.

[hwang]

Geee...All the while I thought the shortest domain name must at least be 3 characters long. Are you sure 2 characters was ever allowed and get registered?

[Llamalord]

Back when they didnt think the net would have such a huge impact they let alot of things happen. It was prolly due to abuse that they would stop it

[hwang]

Uh...ok. I think you are right. That kind of explains it. Hey you guys check out yourself. Type www[dot]f4[dot]com and see what comes out. Wo...I wonder how much this domain is worth.

[life31]

Intensionally tried to check out the price of the above domains and I came up with these stats.
But then am not sure how fare this is true?

F1
PR 0
f1.com was registered on: 06-Mar-1995
Domain Age: 1 decade 3 years 3 months 3 days
The total number of pages that contain links to: Google: 4,590
The estimated value of www f1 com is: $15,427

F4
PR O
f4.com was registered on: 17-Nov-1999
Domain Age: 8 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day
The estimated value of f4 com is: $469

[hwang]

Wow, for the moment there, all the while I thought these 2 characters domain does not exist. I think the value given here is much less than the actual value of these sites. I think if somebody were to offer f4 for sale, it could be worth much more rather than a mere 469. And the reason here does not depend on the incoming link but the demand and rarity of these type of domain.

[life31]

Ya the figures above are just based on the se results and links accesed by the bot.
And it certainly does not consider the uniqueness of the domains.

To update this thread and add to the 2 char domains, this time its Apple who makes a move.

Apple finally buys me(dot)com and the deal was certainly more then $1 million. Cheers to apple!

[hwang]

me(dot)com ?? When I type the page url, seems that I arrive to a site which I think doesn't belong to apple.

[life31]

Nope Hwang it does arrive at Apple's site. Oh probably you might have typed [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] most probably???

Forgot to mention that Apple hasent got an hold over the nameserver yet. They havent yet changed the nameserver to direct to their site. Might be due to some incomplete agreements or some other stuff.

But then check out www(dot)me(dot)com it redirects to Apples Mobileme page.
Mobileme is their new concept for what they have actually ouht that me(dot)com

[hwang]

Uh, ok. I see....That's the reason why I'm seeing another page instead of the apple page. Well so much for a 2 letter domain name.

[life31]

Yep! They are too costly! And companies like apple, f1 ect do buy them like nothing

There might be lot more functional but then we never know. Only fter a company like Apple and other top companies buy it they come to light.