My email address – k@wnd.sr – is a fully functional, ultra-short version of my name.
The Perfect Email Address
When I was 9 years old, I created the email address KristianWindsor@gmail.com. It was elegantly simple – just my first and last name paired with a modern "@gmail.com". Unfortunately, I quickly lost the password and, despite my best efforts, was never able to recover the account.
What followed was a string of attempts to find a new, equally satisfying email address. Each attempt felt imperfect in its own way:
- I tried adding numbers, like kristianwindsor2011@gmail.com, but it felt random and unprofessional.
- I tried shortening it by removing the trailing "r" (ie. kristianwindso@gmail.com), but people always thought it was a typo.
- I tried using my own domain, like hello@kristianwindsor.com, but it felt too corporate – more like a customer support email than my personal one.
Most people wouldn’t think twice about something like this – it’s just an email address, after all. But to me, it was like a tiny pebble in my shoe: easy enough to ignore, yet always there, subtly bothering me.
Inspired by Creative Domains
I've always been interested in unique and creative domain names. While most people are familiar with traditional TLDs like .com, .net, and .org – or newer ones like .io, .ai, and .xyz – there are over 1,500 TLDs in existence today, each offering exciting possibilities.
Major brands like Google, Nike, and Lamborghini even use their own custom TLDs to strengthen their brand identity and showcase innovation. Check out these webpages and their cool URLs:
The vast number of modern TLDs allows brands to seamlessly integrate their names into their domains, creating a sleek and memorable identity. Here are some of my favorite brand/domain name combinations:
You can also get creative with domain hacks, where the FQDN forms readable words or phrases:
These kinds of domains inspired me to think outside the box and search for something new, rather than sticking with a standard Gmail address or my existing kristianwindsor.com domain.
Discovering the wnd.sr Domain
While exploring options for a new domain, I stumbled upon the .sr TLD, the country code for Suriname, a Dutch-speaking nation in South America.
To my astonishment, the domain wnd.sr was available! It's short and sweet – just my last name spelled without vowels – exactly what I was looking for.
Although, the process to acquire the wnd.sr domain wasn’t exactly straightforward. I was confused at first because I wasn't able to buy the .sr domain on NameCheap, GoDaddy, or any common domain registrars. Eventually I came to learn that these domains can only be purchased through Datasur, a subsidiary of the Surinamese state-owned telecom company, Telesur.
And instead of your typical credit card payment, I paid for the domain via an international bank transfer, which came with a hefty $40 fee from Chase. Thankfully, the staff at Datasur was incredibly accommodating and allowed me to pay for five years upfront in a single transaction to minimize fees. In the end, the domain costs me about $25/year – a small price to pay for something so unique.
Choosing an Email Service
At first, I considered trying free or self-hosted email solutions, but I was worried that the unusual email address paired with an unusual email server would result in mail delivery issues, such as the emails being flagged as spam. So I decided to go with Gmail. I figured the strong reputation of Gmail would help offset the quirkiness of the email address and minimize any potential issues.
The Gmail account costs $6/month, which isn't exactly cheap, but I think it's a fair price to pay for the reliablity and peace of mind that it provides.
It's Short!
One of my earlier email addresses, kristianwindsor2011@gmail.com, spanned a lengthy 29 characters. By contrast, my new email, k@wnd.sr, is a mere 8 characters long. Fun fact: the shortest possible email address is just 6 characters long: x@y.zz.
Typing it out is quick and easy, which comes in handy when autofill isn’t available, such as on tablets at self-serve restaurants. It’s a small convenience, only saving 10-15 seconds here and there, but it does ultimately save me some time.
Personal Branding
My email address serves as a subtle yet powerful element of my personal brand, making myself a little more unique in today's vast digital landscape.
In the competitive field of software engineering, where innovation and attention to detail are highly valued, a unique email like this can help me stand out amongst a sea of resumes. If I had business cards, it would serve as a great conversation starter.
The Risks
Unfortunately, DNSSEC, a security protocol that protects against DNS spoofing, isn’t available for .sr domains. Without this protection, the email address is more vulnerable to phishing attacks and unauthorized email interception.
If the country of Suriname were ever to cease to exist, all .sr domains could also be deleted. This has happened a few times throughout history, such as when Yugoslavia's .yu domain was retired in 2010 and when the Netherlands Antilles' .an domain was discontinued in 2015. Even today, there is talk about the .io domain going away as the British Indian Ocean Territory will soon cease to exist.
To reduce risk, I avoid using this email address for important logins like my bank account, just in case anything were to happen to it.
Despite these concerns, I’ve used it for years without any problems. Overall, I’m happy with the email address and believe its unique nature outweighs these potential problems.
Conclusion
My email address, k@wnd.sr, represents more than just a way to contact me – it’s a testament to my creativity and love for unique solutions. And, honestly, I just think it's really cool.
Thanks for reading!