>Don't use any command while namecoind.exe is loading (It can take some seconds).
Would be nice if namecoind would do something to let you know it is up and ready, wouldn't it.

are you aware of these:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=123271    (namecoin stock control)
http://dot-bit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=495    (nmc auto update)
(both based on namecoin python interface)

just thinking it could be of interest to you


Also I have heard rumors about a GUI      Seriously, there is a GUI.