Before the Web, Whois was strictly an Internet service used to query a host and find out if a certain user was registered on that system. Originally developed by the military, others followed with their own Whois databases, which provide white pages directories. See finger.

Directory of Domain Names
Whois databases have become the master directories for domain name registrations. When a new domain is added or changed, the information is sent to the appropriate Whois database. Domain name registrars may provide a search function on their sites that can access various or all of the Whois databases. Following are some of the Web sites that provide information from the Whois databases:

     www.whois.sc
     www.betterwhois.com
     www.internic.net
     www.Uwhois.com
     www.easywhois.com

     www.freewho.com (tracks Whois sites)
     www.tektips.us (tracks Whois sites)