Network Solutions & Expired Domains

[Robert F]

Dear All:

I know this is a bit off topic, but I figured that most everyone here deals
with NSI at some point.  I have a simple question.  Why is it that you can't
register or transfer an expired domain name?  For instance, I want to
tranfer a domain name that I let expire from Network Solutions and it will
not let you.  Also, I wanted to register a domain name that expired several
months ago and one that expired the other day, and neither will work when I
try to register them.  Is there some better way to do it or is it not
possible?

Thank You,
Robert