You say the word DNS and you see the eyes of the people you're talking to turning blank, maybe a little cringing and generally lost focus. DNS is one of those fundamental, "hardcore" technological building blocks (some would say hurdles) you have to work your way through in the process of getting your web services launched. Over the years I've tried many times to explain how and where DNS fits into the overall process of building and launching a web site or service, with varying success. It seems to be an inherently unwanted child, just because it does take a certain amount of effort to wrap your head around. Unfortunately this means that it also tends to be pushed to the very back of agendas, project meetings and schedules which makes matters even worse, because a lot of DNS related tasks and functions take quite a bit of time to propagate or to complete; domain transfers between registrars in particular.

Scott Meyer of GNC Web Creations has created a basic DNS tutorial to try and de-mystify some of what DNS does and what role it plays in the creation and maintenance of your web site and services.