Why don't some web addresses start with "www"?

nothing at all. but the www part of a domain name is just a differentialtor for other subdomains such as mail. or ftp. or ilx. etc. the bit of the URL that provides information about the connection is the bit before the ://

But if there's no difference, why do sites need the "www" part? It'd be faster to type the address without it.

they don't need the www part

Some do differentiate though: my company has a website at www.company.com , but company.com is the login screen to the intranet.

If I added up all the fractions of seconds I could have saved over the years by not typing www I will probably have long enough to soft boil an egg by the time I retire.

YOU BASTARDS! I MIGHT HAVE ENJOYED THAT EGG!

Still doesn't mean you'll be able to get to every website without using the www part though.

http://fragments.turtlemeat.com/www-domain-name-configuration.php

I knew this would be a tuomas question.

I think the server configuration determines whether a site will be able to accessesed sans the www.

By and large, the only reason to prefix domains with www. is that people expect it. There is no technical reason why a domain which has a web server must start thus, but even sophisticated WWW/Internet users often think that they've gotta put a www. in front of any URL they manually load in their browser. This is especially vexing when doing tech support for said users.

There's a particular contingent of folks who believe that no proper domain contains A (host) records. I don't buy that myself, but it is contrary to DNS standards that CNAME (alias) and other records (e.g., SOA) exist for a particular RR, so if you are interested in consistency and easy maintenance, there's a good reason to put yr WWW hosts under a subdomain, and www. is a fairly logical name to use. That way, you don't have to update multiple records when moving yr webhost.

Its frustrating when trying to tell a clueless caller an address that *doesnt* have www, because they go and add it any damn way. "No, no www, just blah.server.com. Yes, it will work. NO, no www!"

I hate tech support.

To clarify, this isn't merely a DNS issue. As implied by Ms Misery, it's also an HTTP VHOST issue. Yr HTTP server and yr DNS must be aligned for www. and www.-less webhosting to work correctly.

Its frustrating when trying to tell a clueless caller an address that *doesnt* have www, because they go and add it any damn way.

It's especially frustrating to see this issue crop up when dealing with level 2 tech support. These folks should KNOW better.

I knew this would be a tuomas question.

1,000% OTM.

actually, i initially thought that it was a tuomas-parody question.

never mind me, carry on y'all ...

http://tuomas.youaremyfriend.com/

It was so annoying in radio when clients insisted that "www" be included in their script. It doesn't seem like much, but having to say "double-u, double-u, double-u, dot" takes up about the same amount of time you could use for a phone number or a tagged "Be there!" at the end.

http://no-www.org/

Some folks in the industry say dub-dub-dub or triple-dub.

triple dub is in the fuckin hizouse at d-home

All my favorite URL jingles leave out the www:

• Freecreditreport.com!]
• Expedia....DOT COMMMM!
• Beep Beep! Dot com! To shop for cars online! (a local one w/the Warner Brother roadrunner)

I love singing URLs.

One time my aunt was having me type a URL at her computer and she read out the "WWW," but as I typed out the WWW, she chided me: "You know, you don't HAVE to type out the WWW." Using some crazy mild IT torture moves on me.

I had an show host once go, "First you put in the three double-ya's...."

I love that show host. I love that show host.

"First you make a roux..."

I knew this would be a tuomas question.

(Started by Tuomas, last updated 7 hours ago)

I'll bet.