Beating SnapNames

how do multiple entities know when a domain is released?

[BeetleBailey]

So if I want to beat out the big domain grabbing entities (not too hard I suspect as they are trying for MANY domains and I am concentrating on one), do I query the DNS of the registrar of that specific domain to find exactly when it is released? Can I just do that every 60 seconds and have a program to set off my pager when the domain is available? suppose a dozen people are doing that and I use tucows to register and someone else uses netsol, do both have an equal chance of winning? Do I have a brief advantage by going through the original registrar as I don't have to wait for the information to propogate to everyone before I can convince the registrar to accept my request for the domain?

I can't help but think that there must be programs out there to automate much of this without me busting out a new program.

Thanks!

[Hunter]

There are drop scripts out there for sale, but that's just one part of the game.

[cyberair]

I have the same question.. and, if the domain was registered with, for example, NSI... will attempting to register that domain name as soon as it becomes available be

1. harder, since they are affiliated with Snap Names?

2. more effective if I try to register through NSI?

The problem is that I went to buy a Snap Names subscription and it was taken, also I bought a Next Registration Rights but I have no clue when that's going live.

[HighPR]

Cyberair,

I've had great success with Pool.com and lesser success with Namewinner.

At Pool you don't pay unless they get the domain, also more than 1 person can apply for a domain - if pool obtains the domain and there are multiple parties involved, they simply auction the domain off.

At least with pool you only enter an auction if pool has secured the domain. Namewinner forces you into an auction from square one - with no assurance that you'll get the domain even if you win the auction.