Eclipse:

I started doing this back when there was one and only one registrar. If you want my advice, I suggest that you stop shopping for just some el cheapo company (I've known numerous people who registered names only for the companies to dissapear a year or three later).

I personally use Network Solutions for a domain that I am serious about. If it is for a site that I am playing with, I register the domain with GoDaddy.

People complain about how expensive Network Solutions is, and my attitude is sure they aren't the cheapest guy on the block.... but that's not the end-all of a business decision. They are a real company, traded publically in New York. I've been using them since 1996. And frankly, $35 (or less) a year is peanuts as far as expenses go.

If you aren't going to make that back in a whole month (much less a whole year) then why go through all the trouble. Compare the start up costs we incur for a new website buiness, and that is peanuts to almost any other real business venture.

Just thought I'd pass on a different opinion. Good luck on your venture, no matter what path you pursue.

Steve