.htaccess File

[ace]

Hello,

 

I have just parked a domain with TCH in my primary account. Currently if you type in the webpage address it takes you to the primarys home page. (by default and design)

What I would like to do is redirect the parked domain to a page on my current website that is hosted with TCH. For example (parked domain = ****) to myprimarydomain.com/unauthorized.htm. I have been instructed to modify the .htaccess file in the public_html folder of the primary domain by support. This is something they do not offer support for. Can anybody help with this?

It would be appreciated.

 

Thanks Rock Sign

[TCH-Rick]

We do not support this because it is in violation of our Acceptible Use Policy. We do not allow additional domains to point to separate pages, subdomains, or folders on your main site.

[ace]

I see. That make sense. Is it ok that it the parked domains point to the primary home page of my domain? I Want to make sure I am in compliance with the policies.

 

Thanks

[LisaJill]

Yes, as long as all of the domains point to the root of your webspace you are fine. =)

[ace]

Why would it be a problem if you point a parked domain to webpage on the root of your primary domain. So instead of pointing them to ****/index.htm they would go to ****/indexa.htm So that when people try to access the parked domain they would get a page telling them that access to this domain is not allowed. I really don't want my primary domain page displayed if somebody uses my parked domain name.

[TCH-Rick]

Our policy is we do not allow multiple domains to point to different pages, folders, or subdomains of the primary site. The most common use of parked domains in the context we have here is to point a .com, .net, and or .net to the same site.

 

You can accomplish what you are saying through most registrars of domains. You would just set the domain to the parked page there that would say something like "Coming Soon" so that people will receive that page letting them know that the site is not yet set up.

[ace]

OK, I have a parked domain that point to my domain that is hosted with you so that users can access a information page directly. It is ****/info.

Is this unacceptable? The parked domain is parked at godaddy and the domain is forward to ****/info. If this is wrong why would you make such a policy. It is bandwidth that your customers are paying for, it does not affect thestorage space, TCH would have no jurisdication over other domains.. I guess I am not understanding? please explain.

 

Thanks for helping

[TCH-Rick]

From our AUP:

 

Web Sites

 

TotalChoice Hosting provides storage space and access for web sites through its Web services. TotalChoice Hosting will not routinely monitor the contents of your web sites. You may only host one domain per virtual account; resellers are allowed to host unlimited domains.

 

We have interpreted this numerous times in the forum as meaning you may not point additional domains at a separate page, folder, or subdomain of your main account. We choose to have the policy so that we can maintain a reasonable number of sites per server. There are those that disagree with the policy but it remains the policy.

 

I understand that what you are doing uses little bandwidth but it would be just as easy to create a page that in effect is a whole separate site with links to separate pages, etc. Truth is if you had not asked and just set it up no one would notice or say anything unless there was a problem caused by it.

 

So, is it possible to do what you ask? Sure. Is it against the AUP? In my opinion, yes.

[TCH-Rob]

TCH would have no jurisdication over other domains

 

You are correct, however we do have jurisdiction over what you do with the space you have and how you use it. It is against the AUP and we hash this about once a month. We arent policing sites to see if you are breaking the rules but if something happens and brings it to our attention then we will act on it.

[ace]

I am missing the part in the AUP that contain policy language that limits access to the website content via another domain. IE: parked domain that accesses a page hosted by TCH .. via primary domain.

 

In my case I am not adding numerous pages for other domains to access. I have a 11k page that provides information about part of our non-profit corporation.

I set up a domain with a different name so that folks can type in the domain and get to the page with ease. If I wanted a website for the other domain I would have set one up with you. But an 11K file in my opinion did not warrent the cost involved.

 

I would suggest that you consider allowing users to access pages on their root domain via other domains but not to exceed a certain size or number and not subdomains. That way you won't end up hosting mulitple domains on a single hosting account. I am suspecting this is what you are trying to prevent with such a policy. I am not trying to argue but I do desire to be in compliance with your policies.

 

Please show me the verbage in your AUP that does not allow this. Rock Sign

[ace]

Ah...You may only host one domain per virtual account; resellers are allowed to host unlimited domains.

 

Is this what you are referring to? I read this as: you can only host one domain per account. Meaning one account, one website., one hosted TCH domain. (I am reading this in the context of the TCH company.) With this verbage I don't see why a customer could not access the one website/domain via another domain that is parked somewhere beyond TCH. For the other domain is NOT being hosted by TCH. (IE....having two domains hosted per one non-reseller TCH account) A parked domain is not a HOSTED domain.

 

 

Is a redirect.. hosting? Or is it just that a redirect? Hosting to me would be indicative of a DNS entry that points to the TCH servers, webspace, control access, full service email, etc. It is a internet redirect setup via the registry. What is the difference between a registry redirect and a link to that page from another website. Both are a not hosted solution.

 

I would suggest the following verbage to clear this up. "You may host only one domain name per virtual account. This includes but not limited to accessing the hosted domains pages, folder and or subdomains"

 

Now this would be language that would prevent customers from accessing the TCH hosted domain via other means.

 

Please clear this up for me. Your policy seem to be up to interuptive means.

 

Help... Thumbs Up Rock Sign

 

 

BTW: I am not complaining just my two cents worth

[TCH-Rob]

I have a 11k page that provides information about part of our non-profit corporation.... I would suggest that you consider allowing users to access pages on their root domain via other domains but not to exceed a certain size or number and not subdomains.

How would you sugest we enforce this? How can we control the size or subdomain usage? With a few hundres accounts per server and more than 70 servers we cant just say you are allowed to keep it just to the root and give a size limit. It cant be done feasably, we dont have those kinds of resources. This is value hosting and while we try and offer sa much as we can for each account we have rules and those rules have to be abided by.

 

Our Head Guru states;

 

"Your subdomains are allowed to be used for any legal purpose. You may not sell the subdomain space to others, nor may you point other domain names to your subfolders. Sub-domains may not be used to host other domains"

 

And Mike H states;

 

The simple fact of the matter is policies are policies, rules are rules etc. This topic has been brought up numerous times and our policies have not changed. This is the way TotalChoice chooses to operate.

 

You cant please everyone and we do not try to, totalchoice is a "budget" hosting service, if you need more features that we do not provide, and have stated over and over that we do not provide, totalchoice is not the host for you.

 

All domain names must point to the same index file on the same account.

[ace]

Are you telling me to go find someone else to host my little domain?

 

Rob I find your comments rude and offensive as I am just trying to clear the

air over unclear policy.

 

In my opinion there is a difference between the word "host" and "park".

Your policy states "You may only host one domain per virtual account"

That is what I am doing. You are parking two other domains other than my

primary domain. Again, they are parked, not hosted. They both point to the

primary domains index file. I have another parked domain that is forward to one page of my primary domain. (not parked with TCH) It is nothing more than a redirect and not a "hosting" on the primary account.

 

I hope that I can make myself clear here. If you intend the policy to read differently then put it in your verbage. It will clear up any misunderstanding.

As one that has written corporate policies and enforced them clarity of intent is a must. Well written policies protect the company and its clients.

 

I am not trying to change the way you do business just want clarification.

I am a HAPPY customer that just wants to understand and be heard.

 

 

Regard

[TCH-Rob]

Are you telling me to go find someone else to host my little domain?

 

Rob I find your comments rude and offensive as I am just trying to clear the

air over unclear policy.

 

No I am not telling you to go anywhere. I am trying to show you what has already been covered in other posts. I am sorry if I have offended you and shall no longer post in this thread to avoid doing so again.

 

To host a domain is to point it to a page on your hosting plan. Even if it is one page it is still hosting that domain.

 

I will leave this to staff to avoid further offense.

[ace]

Thanks Rob,

 

If a domain is truely "hosted" then the DNS entry would point to TCH.

The linked domain is parked with a register using their DNS server.

This is considered a "parked" domain not "hosted" by TCH.

It is a registors server forwarding to my domain account.

 

I guess we have different view on hosted and parked domain.

[TCH-Rick]

You have posted several questions requesting clarification and we have attempted to provide the answers. As has been mentioned, this topic comes up regularly and the interpretation of the policy has not changed.

 

The thread began with a question on editting the .htaccess file and has progressed to a debate on the definition of hosting. We do have accounts that allow you to do exactly what you are wanting to do without violating the AUP. They are called reseller accounts and you can create a parked page and point all the domains you want to them.

 

As far as hosting is concerned, if you type domainxyz.com into a browser and a page on our server comes up then we are "hosting" that page as it is served from our server.

[ace]

Thanks.....

 

I guess you don't see my point concerning the policy language. It is evident that this has been an issue before and it once again raises it head. Why do you think that is? Because your policy does not reflect clear language that supports your

claims concerning "hosting". Once again if policies clearly define services then you would not have to hash this out with your customers.

 

Your service that you provide is great. We may see things differently but I'm staying as a customer. I'm happy.

 

EOM

[TCH-Dick]

It's been said before, sometimes your better off just keeping quiet. what you are doing is against the rules. Would we have known about it if you hadnt told us? Doubtfull. but it is still against the rules.

 

Just because you dont get caught speeding, that doesnt mean you didnt break the law.

[ace]

I am not breaking any TCH rules because all my domain are redirected to the home page of my hosted domain. (index) I'm complying with your policy.

 

I still think you should clarify this in your policy. Maybe the Head Guru could check with a attorney that writes business policy. This way the policy would

articulate clearer wording. (this is just my opinion....not to offend anybody.)

[Head Guru]

Just a couple of quick notes before I dive into the heart of my reply.

 

Ace - Rob was not being rude, it is his JOB to police these forums. Rob does a excellent job and I am pleased (as always) with the way he replied to your postings in this thread. I did not find his reply to be arrogant, rude or offensive in any way. If you did please know that my entire staff is sorry, however sometimes typed words can hold hidden meanings when read but not when typed.

 

Our policy has been debated over and over and over. It is like beating a dead horse. The policy is as follows.

 

You can only host "one domain" per virtual hosting account. We will also allow you to point the TLD's of that same domain to your primary root of the hosted domain. So, if you have bill.com, we will allow bill.net,bill.us,bill.org,bill.cc and so on to be pointed to your hosting account. We do not allow for any other parking or pointing of domains to your virtual account.

 

Is our TOS & AUP Clear on this matter? I believe it is and our legal advisor thought so as well. We clearly state that virtual accounts can only have one domain per account. That is laid out here in our "AUP".

 

Web Sites

 

TotalChoice Hosting provides storage space and access for web sites through its Web services. TotalChoice Hosting will not routinely monitor the contents of your web sites. You may only host one domain per virtual account; resellers are allowed to host unlimited domains.

Furthermore, we clearly excerise due notice on the allowable use of subdomains in the following sections of our AUP:

 

Web Sites

 

You may not conduct hostee or offer free web hosting to people based on your subdomains.

 

Also a close review of the TOS would clearly reveal that TCH reserves sole discretion in determining if a action taken by a end user is in violation and that the TOS is not to be all-inclusive. This is clearly defined and is with merit. (based on joles vs. Ameritech 1992). Also, you will note that if TCH takes no action against a violation of the TOS, then TCH is not granting a right. This as stated in our TOS in two concise and clear sections.

 

TotalChoice Hosting reserves sole discretion to determine whether any use of the service is a violation of this policy. Guidelines for using your account follow. This information is only a guideline, and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Our failure to enforce this policy, for whatever reason, shall not be construed as a waiver of our right to do so at any time.

 

In following what Mike Hermon has stated. If you break the rules and do not get caught, is TCH liable for not enforcing the AUP against you? This is also clearly discussed in the TOS as outlined here.

 

8.7. No Waiver

 

TotalChoice Hosting's failure to enforce the strict performance of any provision of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of TotalChoice Hosting's right to subsequently enforce such provision or any other provisions under this Agreement.

The bottom line is really this.

 

Our legal team has reviewed this (once again) and they all concur that we are very clear on this subject. You may only host one domain per virtual hosting account.

 

The pickiest person might then say "what is hosting". A host is legally defined as the following.

 

(n) (1) A computer system that is accessed by a user working at a remote location. Typically, the term is used when there are two computer systems connected by modems and telephone lines. The system that contains the data is called the host, while the computer at which the user sits is called the remote terminal.

(2) A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network, including the Internet. Each host has a unique IP address.

 

(v) To provide the infrastructure for a computer service. For example, there are many companies that host Web servers. This means that they provide the hardware, software, and communications lines required by the server, but the

content on the server may be controlled by someone else.

 

If you type a domain bill.com and your browser is directed to a TCH server, then bill.com is "hosted" on our servers. If you type john.com and are directed to the same bill.com website, then in all legal senses TCH is hosting John.com

 

The policy has been clearly stated. If you think not in the AUP & TOS, then it has been clearly stated here. I have read the TOS & AUP, as well as out team of legal people and we all concur.

 

Thanks

 

Bill

[ace]

Thanks, to all that replied to this issue.

 

End subject.