Website Recommendation of the Day: The {dot}ly sites (.ly)

What is with the .ly sites, like bit.ly, cel.ly, visual.ly? What does "ly" even stand for?

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.ly):

A .ly registration is the process of registering top-level country-code domain name for Libya. The registration is sponsored by the General Post and Telecommunication Company. The .ly domain extension, introduced in 1988, is administrated by the registry LYNIC. This domain is mainly for the use of the general public of Libya.

The NIC.LY team appoints recognized registrars to offer .ly domain names, and these registrars perform all the domain registration tasks on behalf of the NIC.LY. Libya Telecom & Technology (ltt.ly) is one of the pioneers that offer .ly domain extension to companies and organizations. Sub domains are also allowed for .ly domain name at both the second level and third level beneath various second levels.

According to the registration site, "any .LY domain names may be registered, except domains containing obscene and indecent names/phrases, including words of a sexual nature; furthermore domain names may not contain words/phrases or abbreviations insulting religion or politics, or be related to gambling and lottery industry or be contrary to Libyan law or Islamic morality."

The GPTC registers domain names on a first come, first served basis. Applicants may apply for multiple domains with a registration fee of $75 for each domain. Before registration, the domain name, company name, trademark registration and other legal documents must be provided. In addition, the .ly domain names being registered should not violate any rules set forth by the registrar. Domain names may be registered for a minimum of two years.

The official website for .ly registration is http://www.nic.ly. Applicants may also register domains through official registrars list herehttp://www.ltt.ly/en/agents/l.php?service=2&city=1 After completing the registration process, an email will be sent to the applicant's billing contact address. The .ly domain name will become active within 12–24 hours of that email notification.

The second-level domains which are officially open to third-level registrations are:

• .com.ly: Commercial services
• .net.ly: Internet-related services
• .gov.ly: Government and ministries
• .plc.ly: State-owned companies
• .edu.ly: Educational and training institutions
• .sch.ly: Schools
• .med.ly: Health-related services
• .org.ly: Non-profit organizations
• .id.ly: Individuals.