re: domain "tasters"

System is pretty much correct there. Domain Registrars typically allow a couple of days grace period when a domain is registered, usually to allow for corrections of typo's etc, whereby you can get a refund on a domain.

You'll increasingly find that recently expired domain names - especially dot coms - will be automatically registered for this grace period and set up on a 'search site'. If any traffic hits the site in the couple of days they're allowed to own it within the free-refund grace period, they'll keep it...if not, they'll refund it.

I know this happens - because of a problem swapping registrars, I lost a couple of domain names recently - both were instantly re-registered, but only the busy one stayed registered - I was able to re-register the other myself once they found out it generated no traffic.

The only thing wrong with System's explanation is that it's not usually typo domain names that will encounter the search site - these particular sites are purposefully registered - usually as soon as the correct and legitimate spelling is - to effectively capture all those with fat fingers and/or bad spelling. For the most part, it's automated and speculative 'recently expired' domains at suffer the grace period registrations.

Personally, I think there shouldn't be such an easy way to 'taste' domains - most reputable registrars ask you to confirm your purchases at least once before you buy a domain, so an easy commit / uncommit procedure only leads to a flurry of pointless registrations - it only really benefits those who want to see what will make a quick profit for them without the commitment.