Domain name registration

What's that?
Domain name (aka hostname) is a name that identifies a computer(s) [or server(s)] on the internet. To go to the computer (or server), just key in the domain name into the internet URL address bar, e.g. type http://inbetweennet.blogspot.com/ into the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address bar in Firefox (Mozilla) browser and punch ENTER. You will be diverted to the web page that you requested.

However, what is more pertinent to my quest is to learn how to BUY a domain name. Imagine if I had acquired a domain name under "McDonald.com" before McDonald registered its business entity.

How to BUY & Maintain (pay a sum to activate the domain name under my name) a domain name?
Step 1: Think of a cool name and check the availability. Similar to playing Maplestory and getting your character a name. You have to check the availability, i.e. had anyone already taken it?
How to go about this?

Start Exploring Internet Serving

Apache HTTP Server Project - first stop.
Where to start?

Introduction
What is an Internet server?
According to the term provided by Thefreedictionary, an internet server is actually a program with the role of accepting HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) request(s) from clients (aka web browsers such as Mozilla, Internet Explorer etc), and providing response(s) to the clients' request(s). For now, assume request and response as simple as calling for a page, and getting a page in return.

Google search for Internet server + freeware led me to Apache HTTP Server Project. Version <2.0 used to be available for UNIX system, however, I'm so glad that Windows had been added as a platform supported by Apache. Don't get me wrong, I don't like MS, BUT alas, had been unable to ween away from IT.

So the journey begins, for me to explore the wonders of establishing an Internet server. To be continued.