Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree - there are not very many internet-scale (for lack of a better term), completely free and fast DNS servers who have an IP address that's easy to remember. Is that specific? sure, but I'll tell you when I go to set a new system up I'm going to type 8.8.8.8 because it's what comes to my mind.
For "easy to remember" my preference is to use Level 3 because I don't (directly) use them for any other service. 4.2.2.1 4.2.2.2 For as often as I manually configure DNS (I use DHCP) it's not onerous to look up the IPs of whatever DNS is preferable for your purpose. edit: Depending on who you are this may redirect you to a search portal. Probably best to find an alternate DNS provider.
; > DiG 9.9.7-P3 > thisprobablydoesntexist.com @4.2.2.2
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER
Contrast that with 8.8.8.8: ; > DiG 9.9.7-P3 > thisprobablydoesntexist.com @8.8.8.8
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER
The NXDOMAIN response is proper - the level3 DNS servers are just a faster version of my ISPs goal to garner ad revenue at this point.