I get that some instances use the domain + TLD to make a word, like lemm.ee or to an extent, sh.itjust.works. But I’ve seen so many TLDs I had no idea existed, like .world, .zone, .social, and yes .works as well.
Is there any real reason for that? Trying to look cool or kinda underground-y? Cheaper and more varied domain options? Something actually kinda functional?
Interestingly, I started on vlemmy.net because I was a scared Reddit refugee and the .net TLD gave me comfort. Then it vanished a few days later without a trace. So here I am on lemmy.world
Similarly, I’ve never seen a .xyz that wasn’t used for altchans or sketchy porn sites
sopuli.xyz is a sizeable Lemmy instance
Hurts a little that 4k users is “sizeable”, but I guess we have to start somewhere.
One of the teachers at my faculty has his academic website, including course materials, on an .xyz domain.
For me, that was .dance and .moe.
And then there’s .ninja which so far has been strictly small web animations.
I really wish Randall Monroe acquired xkcd.xyz tho.
ABC.xyz?
Actually, yeah, that basically fits.
Oh, there is a website where somebody created Doom with CSS and that’s a .xyz but that tracks, because it’s 3D