CountryWhois DB FAQ
Q. How accurate is your database?
Q. Why would I need to subscribe to updates? Isn't it enough to get the database only once?
Q. I know that there are free IP-to-country databases on the Internet, why would I want to pay for one?
Q. What's the difference between CountryWhois for Windows and CountryWhois DB?
Q. Can I test CountryWhois DB before I order?
Q. Some IP addresses show up as "Unknown". What does this mean?
Q. Sometimes I get "European Union" or "Asia Pacific Region" in place of the country name. Can't you give the precise country name?
Q. Where can I get sample code that illustrates the usage of the database?
Q. What exactly will I receive after I place the order?
Q. Is there a way to automate the process of downloading updates? Do I have to visit the subscribers' area?
Q. I have a recurring subscription. Can I cancel it at any time?
Q. I'm a software developer. Can I use CountryWhois DB in a commercial application that I plan to sell to end users?
A. It's about 98% accurate. It is technically impossible to make a 100% accurate database for a number of reasons. For example, large multi-national ISPs assign IP addresses to users from different countries from the same pool of IP addresses registered in one country. The same applies to satellite providers.
A. IP allocation is constantly changing. Every day, new IP addresses are assigned or re-allocated. As time passes, the accuracy of the database rapidly declines, so in a few months a substantial percentage of IP addresses will be incorrectly identified unless you regularly download the latest database.
A. There are four main distinctions between free and commercial databases. First, commercial databases are more precise, as this is not a hobby for the creators. The vendors strive to deliver the best product. Second, it is guaranteed that commercial databases are updated regularly. Free databases may not be updated for months or years because the author may not have the time to do so. Third, free databases may come and go, so the next time you try to download the database, it will no longer be available. Forth, commercial databases usually come with detailed usage examples and sometimes SDKs, which makes their integration quick and easy. That said, a free database might work just fine for you. You just need to consider what you stand to lose if your business process relies on inaccurate data and how much your time costs. If your time costs nothing and if losing a customer because you provided Web content in German to a French visitor is not critical, then go for a free database.
A. CountryWhois for Windows is a GUI application for IP-to-country mapping that works great if you need to process log files or individual IP addresses. But it cannot be integrated into your business application, such as a Web site engine. That's where you need CountryWhois DB, which is an IP-to-country database that can be used in any application that requires precise geo-targeting.
A. Of course, click here for an online demo.
A. This happens in two cases. First, you may be checking an IP address that is not public. Such addresses don't belong to a particular country; they are reserved for local area networks. These addresses include:
Second, you may be checking an IP address that has not yet been added to our database, or has been de-allocated, e.g. when you are checking a very old WWW log file using the latest database. However, this scenario is rare.
A. The short answer is: Sometimes it's technically impossible to be more specific. The long answer is: Yes, we could try to be more specific, but the probability of errors would increase. For instance, we could map a specific IP address to Germany because the broadband provider is German, but it serves several European countries and it's impossible to distinguish between a German and an Italian user even utilizing the most advanced methods. Some database vendors will tell you their database is so good that it doesn't contain entries like "European Union" at all, but this will only lead to confusion for you, the customer. You'd end up greeting a German visitor in Italian. We believe that the customer should be aware of this uncertainty.
A. Web server integration examples (with or without MySQL, using PHP or Perl) can be found here. The SDK that contains detailed documentation and API, as well as sample code in C++, Visual Basic, and Delphi can be found here.
A. You will receive a login and password that will allow you to access the subscribers' area. In that area, you will be able to download the latest database version in a variety of formats, as well as the Win32 SDK that can be used to integrate the databases into your Windows application as a DLL.
A. Yes, you can automate this process. In the subscribers' area, you will see URLs that allow subscribers to download the latest database with a direct HTTP link.
A. Sure, just drop us a line and we won't charge your credit card when the current subscription expires.
A. The standard CountryWhois DB license covers the usage of the database within your organization only. If you'd like to integrate the database into your application, please contact us for pricing, terms, and conditions.
