Is it better to buy all of your Top Level Domain names? Also, should you just do it to keep other peole from setting up similiar sites to yours with the same name just a different TLD? Also, would it be advisable to buy other country domain names and submit them to other country search engines with a redirect?
IMO it depends on the domain name. If you have something original and brandable then most definatly grab all the TLDs before your site becomes popular and people start ripping it off. If your domain is just something like www.keyword1-keyword2.com I wouldn't worry about it. <edit> lol didnt realize it would automatically link that domain, and of course it goes to a search engine keyword site... hehe nice hustle for whoever owns that domain. </edit>
I think it's a waste unless you have a very brandable name. For a site I have high hopes for, I'd pick up the .org and .net domains, but none of the .us .info .whatevercountry domains. I always have trouble when I want to go to the mysql site because someone did what you are talking about. I can never remember if it's .com .org or .net that I want to go to. The pretenders just piss me off, but I inevitably give at least one of them some traffic. I don't think anyone is going to be snatching up any of my domains though - there are bigger fish out there and stealing 10-20% of my traffic would be like stealing a penny from the extra pennies tray at the liquor store.