So you own a domain. Technically you control a 2nd level domain. A TLD is .com .net .edu and so forth. These are controlled by ICANN but that’s a whole different discussion. Back to "so you own a domain." For instance, I have control over http://siliconholler.com/. I was able to create a third level domain to house this blog at http://blog.siliconholler.com/. With my hosting I have the ability to create email accounts that end in @siliconholler.com so that I could have info@siliconholler.com, sales@siliconholler.com, billyjoebob@siliconholler.com and so forth. But that means I’m limited to the capabilities and rules set forth by my web host and their email server. That might mean I can only have 3000 email addresses (which is the case with my kickin’ hosting at 1and1.com). What if I wanted more? At no cost! Google has introduced its beta program, by application only, to Gmail for your domain.
This special beta test lets you give Gmail, Google’s webmail service, to every user at your domain. Gmail for your domain is hosted by Google, so there’s no hardware or software for you to install or maintain.
Gmail – 2 gigabytes of storage and search tools that help users find information fast.
Control Panel – Easily manage user accounts, aliases and mailing lists.
Note: Not everyone that applies will be accepted into the beta program. I would assume the more users your organization wants to use the more likely you will be accepted into the program.
So should I start sending emails to billyjoebob@siliconholler.com now?
Coincidentally, it would work.
I applied for outermonVOLia… right now, I’ve got a “catch-all” for that domain, but as spammers pick up the action, that will go away quickly. I have ~250 registered users and probably another 500 unregistered who visit. I think I have a shot at getting in the beta.