Help Me Convert My Boyfriend...

[Mish]

Haha, if he knew I was typing this he'd be giving me glares. Now, I've been with TCH since 2005. There are places that give me more "specs" for my money but TCH has EVERYTHING I wanted and especially at a reasonable price. And this family forum is awesome. I run three domains off of TCH...my 'portal' site to my other sites and subdomains...my artsy craftsy forum...and my online store. Which do all relate to each other BUT...what can I say, I'm a web geek.

 

So I was hoping that maybe some of the family members here can tell us why they like TCH...especially if they have any good comparision stories. I used to have "this", but now at TCH I have "this, this and this!" Of course we don't want to bring up the names of hosting companies we were with in the past...I just wanna show how TCH is awesome is compared to all of them.

 

This crazy idea by the way came upon me as I struggled to get a SMF forum working on his host (which are not TCH, GRR!). After a bit of research, I'm fairly sure his host is resetting the file permissions on a certain file that's needed to run the forum. I'm running the same exact software here and I've never had that problem!

 

Even my old host (who is no longer in business) before TCH was better than his current host. The only things his account seems to have on TCH is that he has a ton of bandwidth he will probably never use and twice as much storage for the same yearly price. But...no shopping cart...they don't tell me what OS they're running...they don't have CONTESTS...heck even their 'help' department is a joke. But I digress.

 

...I swear, I'm not on commission. But I do work retail. But I'm a merchandiser. And my employer requires me to tell people that I'm not commissioned anyway. XD

 

Yeah, so, everyone tell my darling why he should come here instead.

 

[TCH-Bruce]

My guess would be he may have more bandwidth and disk space but if he tries to use it it won't be there. Many hosts over sell their servers and resources hoping that not everyone will use them all.

 

I used to be with a host like that. They were down more than they were up. I've been here at TCH since 2003 and have never looked back. I like TCH so much I became a moderator after someone recommended me. Same as our other forum moderators.

[TCH-Thomas]

First of all, your post answer the question itself, the parts about the SMF forum and the bandwidth/disc space, no telling about the OS, file permission problems, ie I could quote your whole post.

 

Second, this family forum, if I have a problem, I know where to go.

 

I was with one of those "free but we put lots o of ads on your site" hosts before coming to TCH.

TCH-Don recommended me TCH and I have never looked back.

[JTD]

I was with another hosting company that didn't offer me nearly as much as TCH does and 3 times the price. Also My site was down more than up. Plus the fact that you can actually talk to a real live person at TCH. At my other host you could not.

[Deverill]

Overloaded servers. 1-person tech dept., 3 days of being down and posting in another forum they are not

versus

always up, full staff, great help, gift-giving, bang-for-the-buck host.

 

It's a no-brainer.

 

If he's a techno geek just tell him that TCH has their own IP block in their own data center - if not then just tell him it's a much nicer life never having to worry if your site will be up or not. Ask him if his current host will give him things like more bandwidth, more disk space, Fantastico, cPanel, etc etc at no extra charge?!?

 

We'll set a place for him...

[Head Guru]

Did they have a pepper bar? I think not!

[Mish]

I wish just my post would sell him - but we live together, what reason does he have to believe ME?!? He's not so much a technogeek, we are more webpage geeks than anything else. In fact *looks around furtively* I'm the bigger computer geek! I've taught him quite a few things. But alas, being a cute female computer geek and the person who keeps the PC running is not enough to convince him...

 

I just poked into his email to see if there's been a reply to the tech support request I sent to his host yesterday. So just to add some more fuel to the fire....

 

I sent to them:

I do realize you do not do PHP support. However, something on your end is affecting the operation of my PHP based forum. I'm using the most recent version of SMF 1.1.2. I am changing my file permissions to what they need to be for the forum to operate through my FTP...by that I mean I upload the file and then change the permissions once it's on Bravenet servers. However, at least twice a day, the permissions are being reset and as a result I get forum errors. My girlfriend is running the exact same SMF software on her host (she is not on B*******t) and has not had this problem; I believe that you have some safe guard or safe mode that is causing my forum to error several times a day, since after I reset the permissions my forum works perfectly again. Please fix this. Also, what operating system does the webhosting run on? Please let me know. Thank you.

 

They replied back...

I've encountered this issue before and the cause seems to be that the software is changing the permissions through the execution of one of it's functions. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Alternately, you may want to contact SMFs developers to ask them more specifically what may be the cause.

 

Thank you.

 

Um. You didn't answer my question about what OS you guys are running...

 

So I sent back again...

I can't see how the software is causing the issue when the same exact version of the SMF software is running on a non-Bravenet server elsewhere with no issue. I went to the SMF forums and that is how I came upon my idea that it was something on your end. But, I will contact SMF and see if they have any other ideas.

 

Also, you never answered my question about what operating system your servers run on. I ask because it may affect my decision to stay with Bravenet or bring my business elsewhere.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

And that's pretty much my whole thoughts on that. Though, interestingly enough so far his forum hasn't gone down yet today...knock on wood.

 

...is a pepper bar anything like a spice rack?

 

You guys rock. I hope more people reply.

[Head Guru]

Tell him you spoke to the boss at TCH, and we will give him his first three months FREE if he switches hosts

 

Let me know what he says.

[TCH-Bruce]

It's your birthday today and you're giving away presents. What a guy!

[TCH-Don]

Very cool :tchrocks!:

 

that should do it.

[Mish]

Tell him you spoke to the boss at TCH, and we will give him his first three months FREE if he switches hosts

 

Let me know what he says.

 

Holy cow, THAT got his attention!!!

 

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

Okay, he wants to know now--if he switches, will he be able to transfer his current domains (there are two, which I had forgotten)? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes to that one, but just to be safe. He's looking to get a third soon (for the forum, I'm pretty sure). He's happy that the billing can be done all at once (that's the way my three domains are set up) BUT he wants everything under one webshell.

 

Now that he's completely confused me, I'll just link to his web host: http://www.bravenet.com/global/hosting_matrix.php. He has their premium. If I understand it correctly, he pays for 30GB of space and his ten domains share it all; he doesn't have to get seperate plans for each domain. Is this something he can do with dedicated or reseller?

 

And while I'm thinking about it - when his old domains expire, can we renew them through TCH? If I hadn't just dragged him away from his XBox 360 to show him what you said, he probably would have thought to ask.

 

Oh, and just to update y'all on the forum issues from the other host...STILL having the same problem. And I am fixing it the same exact way. It's getting tedious!

 

Ohh, and I don't mean to sound like a butt-kisser...but I forgot to mention I set my Daddy's business page up on TCH too. That was like two months ago, but hell, Daddy doesn't even have a computer in his office...it took me almost ten years to convince him to get a presence on the web!

 

 

Sorry if I'm always full of questions. But I am a detail person and easily confused. Especially since this got a little more complicated than I had intended.

Edited April 2, 2007 by TCH-Andy

[TCH-Andy]

Yes he can transfer all the current accounts and domains.

 

In terms of space etc. I'd look at his requirements in terms of disk space and bandwidth. What does he actually use / need ? then compare it with say the basic reseller. That can host unlimited domains.

 

With regard to the transfer of domain names - I'd transfer them now (you get a years free registration in the transfer anyway) rather than when it's time to renew.

[Mish]

Yes he can transfer all the current accounts and domains.

 

In terms of space etc. I'd look at his requirements in terms of disk space and bandwidth. What does he actually use / need ? then compare it with say the basic reseller. That can host unlimited domains.

 

With regard to the transfer of domain names - I'd transfer them now (you get a years free registration in the transfer anyway) rather than when it's time to renew.

 

Usage seems to vary; yesterday he was using 400MB of bandwidth; today it's 38MB. But he plans to drive more traffic to his site.

 

But now that you've put the idea in my head (I never thought about the reseller account because, well, I'm not reselling, I host my friends for free ) -- we are thinking about doing the Standard Reseller together -- and put all of our stuff in one place. That would be so much easier than logging into several different cPanels and having it all on one bill would be nice too.

 

Now Jason (my other half's name ) said he would transfer if we get those three free months (and then me, personally, I will advertise the @^!@ out of you because of your @w350m3n355!).

 

Now I have even more questions for you because of my innate need to know what to expect ahead of time.

 

Do I need a business ID to do the reseller account? That's not a problem, I got one, and a tax ID too.

 

All the billing will remain in my name. It's just easier that way.

 

We get unlimited domains AND sub-domains hosted, right? We just pay for the any new domain names we purchase. And the domains that he would be transferring - I thought there were two but there are three, two of them go to the SAME exact site (he changed the names of his sites slightly) - those would be free for one year, so we wouldn't have to pay to renew those until next year. As for the stuff I'd be transferring...it's all on TCH.

 

I assume we would log into everything under one cPanel? Would I be able to retain all current FTP accounts and domains, or have to set everything up again? All my domains are registered through TCH. And my major concern is transferring the forums and my shopping cart. I know enough to set up the database and forum and back the things up, but I don't know anything about databasing or PHP outside of that. Do you guys transfer my stuff since I'm already a customer?

 

And lastly...at least until I think of more questions...I want to set this up this coming Friday (payday for both of us). We're on a very strict budget, so I need to know exactly what to pay ahead of time. That, and one of his domains expires on the 8th I think. I just paid $16.95 on my stuff - would that be prorated?

 

Yeah. Sorry if I asked some of the same questions in a different way. Better safe than sorry. And I'm REALLY sorry I keep getting confused on his stuff - it's because we have two different hosts! I can't keep his stuff straight. But I could probably tell you most of my logins and passwords even though they are automatically generated, LOL.

[TCH-Don]

I can't answer the billing part but I can explain how the reseller part works.

 

Normally you would upgrade an account to a reseller account through billing.

The domain that you upgrade then gets its own space and bandwidth

and the reseller space gets the same amount of space and bandwidth.

 

The reseller domain can have sub domains and Addon domains and parked domains

as also can domains you put in your reseller space.

 

So for the standard reseller account you get

3300MB for the reseller domain and

3300MB for the reseller space

and the the same for bandwidth

Bill thinks you should not have to give up reseller space for your own domain.

 

If you have one of your own domains with simple needs ( no sub domains ) you can Addon to your reseller domain.

To use Addon, your cpanel will ask for a folder name to redirect the Addon domain to

and you put files in your domain/folder name (no one will see the folder name).

Others will just see the Addon domain as a normal domain.

 

In your cpanel you will See an icon to WHM ( web host manager )

there you manage your reseller space, creating packages of space / bandwidth/ features

then create accounts for your other domains using one of your packages

and you can manually change the space and bandwidth on the fly anytime later.

Each account in your WHM will have its own cpanel

and in WHM you can list accounts and click on a cpanel icon to go into that accounts cpanel using your reseller id/password

great to go into each cpanel to make backups or what ever.

 

You will need to check with your local county clerk about the DBA license if you are going to resell for money.

 

 

TCH can transfer your other accounts into your reseller space for you.

I would do one at a time as they will transfer with their current space and bandwidth size,

then upgrade/downgrade the account in your WHM to one of your packages.

And have the next one transferred.

 

The Techs can try to transfer accounts from other hosts, just open a help desk ticket giving your reseller info and the other accounts log-in user/password.

[Mish]

You will need to check with your local county clerk about the DBA license if you are going to resell for money.

TCH can transfer your other accounts into your reseller space for you.

I would do one at a time as they will transfer with their current space and bandwidth size,

then upgrade/downgrade the account in your WHM to one of your packages.

And have the next one transferred.

 

The Techs can try to transfer accounts from other hosts, just open a help desk ticket giving your reseller info and the other accounts log-in user/password.

 

My DBA and tax ID is for Designs By Mish (link in signature). I wouldn't be reselling space; I just wasn't sure if TCH's policy required it. Most of the wholesalers I buy my craft components through don't require it; but a few do, that's why I asked.

 

I don't mind putting all my domains plus Jason's on a reseller as long as I can keep my subdomains intact, in fact, I really want to. Even if I have to set it up from scratch. Who knows, if we end up using enough space/bandwidth we would upgrade to the Deluxe anyway. Jason plans to do some web design - but even then, he's just doing design - he said people have to find their own hosting (although I would certainly suggest that they come here! ). If this ever changes I'll figure out the legal stuff on my end when the time comes.

 

As it stands now, Torn-Wings has a ton of sub-domains since I host several of my friends there and use that as a portal to my other sites which are either hosted on Torn Wings itself, point to my other TCH accounts, or public profile sites. The Designs By Mish online store is on a subdomain, but that was because I planned to make only two more subdomains on it eventually, but I may never get around to that.

 

Here comes another question...can I desiginate one of the currently active domains as the reseller domain, or do/should I buy another one?

 

You guys are SO amazingly helpful, such a wealth of information, keep it coming.

[TCH-Don]

It your choice as to what domain to use for the reseller account,

a current or a new one.

That is someting you will have to decide.

If you want to use a current one, just open a help desk ticket to billing to upgrade.

[abinidi]

Kind of on a side note: I notice that your bf's other host uses PHP5. Is that maybe the difference between the installations? Do you have to install a separate version of SMF in order to run it on a PHP5 server?

 

It is my understanding that TCH doesn't provide any shared servers with PHP5, and there is currently no plan to do so, last I heard. So be aware of that, if PHP5 is an important consideration for you.

[Mish]

Kind of on a side note: I notice that your bf's other host uses PHP5. Is that maybe the difference between the installations? Do you have to install a separate version of SMF in order to run it on a PHP5 server?

 

It is my understanding that TCH doesn't provide any shared servers with PHP5, and there is currently no plan to do so, last I heard. So be aware of that, if PHP5 is an important consideration for you.

 

Hmmmm...well the installation of SMF works better on TCH than BN with the same exact version (that being the most recent) of SMF. Maybe it's something minute in the SMF coding? I don't know. The server requirements for SMF are PHP 4.1.0 or higher and MySQL 3.23.28 or higher.

[Mish]

I apologize for bumping but I just wanted to let you guys know we're going to upgrade. I don't care whether we get three free months or not (but hey, I won't complain if I do). I just hope there are not issues transferring his domains over since they are under his name.

 

So you are getting my boyfriend's business -- it will just be under my name. That's how finances work when you live together.

 

Thanks for answering all my questions!

[TCH-Thomas]

I´m glad we could help.

 

Have your boyfriend sign up to this forums and tell him to pop over to the introduction forum so we can welcome him.

 

As for the bumping....this is more like an update on the conversion progress.

Bumping is when you post again a few hours or days later asking why no one answered.

[Mish]

I really do appreciate all the help.

 

Not sure if he'll sign up for the forums...but if he does, you won't block us from coming from the same IP?

 

Haha, the forum moderator in me was like "Oh no! You replied last and you're replying again so you're bumping!"

 

Just have to wait until I get home from work to play.

[TCH-Thomas]

We won´t block you for such a thing.