They are used to register domains and to keep domains going... domains with .bit extension
All we are interested in though, is that people buy Namecoins (NMC) with BTC
Also, you mine NMC in the same way that you mine BTC, and you use the same mining software
A decentralized, anonymous and open DNS system based on bitcoin!
http://dot-bit.org/Main_Page
What are namecoins ?
http://www.reddit.com/r/Namecoin/comments/h908j/how_to_get_started_with_namecoin/
Namecoin forum
http://dot-bit.org/forum/?title=forum
Namecoin pool - there are others
http://bitparking.com/pool
Installation and Configuration
http://dot-bit.org/InstallAndConfigureNamecoin
Namecoin thread on Bitcoin.org
http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=9711.0
Namecoin exchange - very very new
https://exchange.bitparking.com/main
Mining BTC is still more profitable than mining NMC, but I'm ready to move over once the time is right
cheers for that, interested in knowing though, in your eyes when will be the right time?