Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: Dave Gurtcheff on February 27, 2008, 01:43:16 pm
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I have had my own photo site for about 5 or 6 years. I have had the same hosting company for the entire time. I pay for two years in advance. Apparently my 2 years were up, and I was never notified. The next day I tried to get to my site, and it was a pornography site! It seems both my hosting contract was up, AND my domain name had also expired. I have spent hours on the phone (1.5 hours on hold waiting to speak to someone yesterday), and I'm still not sure it is fixed. Today I was told that my domaine name was renewed, but my site was being moved to another (new type) platform at 1AM tomorrow morning, so I still cannot get to my site. This after I have had thousands of brocures, business and advertising placards printed, and displayed in restaraunts, museums and gift shops. Oh man, I'm sick about it. I have spent years building my reputation here on a small island rsort, and now this!
I don't know what the moral is here, but I could use a little encouragement about now.
Thanks for reading my rant.
Best wishes from Long Beach Island, NJ
Dave Gurtcheff
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Dave,
You're still listed as the owner of the domain name, that is positive. If you have not already:
1. Renew your domain name for 10 years or for as long as you're going to keep your name
2. Obtain new hosting and setup your website on a reliable hosting server and service provider
3. Change the DNS records (this can take between one and three days to be completed) to point to your new website (step 2).
Find a company that will do the above with you on the telephone. Don't worry, just get the above done and good luck!
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Dave,
You're still listed as the owner of the domain name, that is positive. If you have not already:
1. Renew your domain name for 10 years or for as long as you're going to keep your name
2. Obtain new hosting and setup your website on a reliable hosting server and service provider
3. Change the DNS records (this can take between one and three days to be completed) to point to your new website (step 2).
Find a company that will do the above with you on the telephone. Don't worry, just get the above done and good luck!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177764\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Derek: Thanks, I needed that. During my lengthy calls with my hosting company, I renewed for 2 years, so I'm probably stuck with them. When I signed up 5 or 6 years ago, part of the fee was their registering my domaine name. Would I renew it for 10 years with them, or some other place? Sorry for the dumb questions. I built the site using Frontpage 2002, using the instructions that came with the software, but really didn't (and still don't) know what I was doing. I also update it regularly, and "hold my breath" each time! Your saying I still own the Domaine name is a BIG relief!!! (How did you find this out)?
Thank you more than I can ever adequately express to you.
Dave Gurtcheff
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sorry to hear of your trouble & I hope the best for you. What I don't understand is how your domain name could of become available overnight. I tried to buy a popular domain name that was expiring a year ago and was told the original owner would have a month+ to decide after the expiration date before it would return to the open market.
On a side note I am with Dogbark web-hosting and they have been very friendly & helpful. Jeff
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No professional should make a hosting decision without consulting webhostingtalk.com.
You are VERY LUCKY you got your domain name back. I know two photographers who never got theirs back due to hosting service negligence. I was one of them, and I sought to press legal action against aplus.net as a result. They are the worst in the industry.
It is almost never good to have your hosting company be responsible for Domain Name renewals. It is best to have name registrations and hosting come from two different sources.
For Domain Name Registrations, I recommend either Register.com or Network Solutions.com. These are the largest professional choices. Both offer great transfer offers for lengthy periods. Get on their mailing list.
For hosting, I recommend realwebhost.com. The owner, Joey Moses, often picks up the phone when you call. Their customer service can't be beat and neither can their reputation in the industry. Be sure and tell Joey that Misty Breeze sent you.
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Derek: Thanks, I needed that. During my lengthy calls with my hosting company, I renewed for 2 years, so I'm probably stuck with them. When I signed up 5 or 6 years ago, part of the fee was their registering my domaine name. Would I renew it for 10 years with them, or some other place? Sorry for the dumb questions. I built the site using Frontpage 2002, using the instructions that came with the software, but really didn't (and still don't) know what I was doing. I also update it regularly, and "hold my breath" each time! Your saying I still own the Domaine name is a BIG relief!!! (How did you find this out)?
Thank you more than I can ever adequately express to you.
Dave Gurtcheff
Let me try to answer your questions:
1. I don't think you're stuck with them; If it were me, let them keep the 2 year fee, just find another company and change the DNS to point to the new hosting company - I use www.networksolutions.com, others can chime in and recommend their hosting company, just hook up with someone with good service. I have no connection with networksolutions, I am just a customer.
2. Renew with a company that does not require/bundle hosting with renewal - like networksolutions. I'd call them NOW, tell them your situtation, ask them to help - they should do this without charging you. Ask them what could be done now (as in this minute), how long will it take, hopefully you'll get a good support tech and not someone with a "modern" attitude.
3. It does not matter what you used to create the site, I mostly use Notepad to create mine.
4. I used the WHOIS function at networksolutions, here is the link: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp (http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp) and input just your domain name (no www.) - it does say it expired 02/22/2008, so you must renew ASAP (unless you have already done so).
Good luck!
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Oh, one more thing: After you've switched to another company and you're all set up, ask the new hosting company what can be done to prevent your current "porn" hosting company from changing your DNS again. But take care of this after everything is fixed.
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Who are you hosting with?
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Who are you hosting with?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177779\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Looks like: www.ipowerweb.com or www.onlinenic.com
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Looks like: www.ipowerweb.com or www.onlinenic.com
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177782\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I don't recall any horror stories about them. I've been with Bluehost for a while now so I'm not fresh on that stuff, tho.
To be honest whenever I hear of a crappy hosting experience I just assume it is dreamhost.
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I don't recall any horror stories about them. I've been with Bluehost for a while now so I'm not fresh on that stuff, tho.
To be honest whenever I hear of a crappy hosting experience I just assume it is dreamhost.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177784\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
It is ipowerweb
Dave
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It is ipowerweb
Dave
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177789\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Um, based on the first page of the google search I tried I would move to a new host.
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Keep in mind that Network Solutions charges a premium for their domain names. Firms like Go Daddy are in the range of ten bucks per year. Also NS has been cited for holding on to a domain name to prevent it from being purchased from a lesser expensive source.
Blue Host as part of their package has a free domain name for the life of the account. Others just may also have the same plan.
Most hosting firms do a good job of notification. However, it is the owners responsibility to make sure that their domain name and hosting services do not lapse. Some have auto renews using a credit card for that reason.
Google the net for the top ten hosting firms. Various site will privide different informaiton. Here is one as an example.
http://www.top10webhosting.com/ (http://www.top10webhosting.com/)
Jim
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Keep in mind that Network Solutions charges a premium for their domain names.
How much is your Domain Name worth to you? Sometimes you get what you pay for. Serious business folk don't cut corners on the things that matter most to them. Every NYC business owner I know either uses Network Solutions or Register.com. I've been with both for years and I couldn't be happier.
Yes, Network Solutions will charge you $35 for your first year if you sign up without an offer. As long as you don't sign up for auto-renew, you will receive special offers long before your first year has expired, and the deals are great. You can also take advantage of "Switch Registrar" offers which can't be beat. If you know how to work the system, you can find very good deals.
Type ipowerweb into the search field on WebHostingTalk.com and be sure to have a barf bag at the ready.
There are only two places on the internet you can trust for web hosting reviews. One is WHReviews.com and the other is WebHostingTalk.com. All the others accept money for reviews and for placement on top-10 lists. They CAN'T be trusted.
The owner of WHReviews.com is the Jeff Schewe of web hosting. His username on WebHostingTalk.com is icdc. The guy is fantastic and he's one of the few I would trust with internet business guidance. Tell them all Misty Breeze sent you. And your online businesses will ROCK!
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How much is your Domain Name worth to you? Sometimes you get what you pay for. Serious business folk don't cut corners on the things that matter most to them. Every NYC business owner I know either uses Network Solutions or Register.com. I've been with both for years and I couldn't be happier.
Yes, Network Solutions will charge you $35 for your first year if you sign up without an offer. As long as you don't sign up for auto-renew, you will receive special offers long before your first year has expired, and the deals are great. You can also take advantage of "Switch Registrar" offers which can't be beat. If you know how to work the system, you can find very good deals.
Type ipowerweb into the search field on WebHostingTalk.com and be sure to have a barf bag at the ready.
There are only two places on the internet you can trust for web hosting reviews. One is WHReviews.com and the other is WebHostingTalk.com. All the others accept money for reviews and for placement on top-10 lists. They CAN'T be trusted.
The owner of WHReviews.com is the Jeff Schewe of web hosting. His username on WebHostingTalk.com is icdc. The guy is fantastic and he's one of the few I would trust with internet business guidance. Tell them all Misty Breeze sent you. And your online businesses will ROCK!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177801\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I've used Verio without any problems.
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http://www.top10webhosting.com/ (http://www.top10webhosting.com/)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177793\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Top10webhosting isn't that impartial IME (not based on user feedback, at least). But there are lots of web hosting forums where you can read good and bad reviews.
I'd concur about avoiding Network Solutions* and having a different host and domain registrar.
* not because they are more expensive - but they have a reputation for being rather underhand if you want to move away.
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Looks like you're back: http://www.modernpictorials.com/ (http://www.modernpictorials.com/)
Good for you (hope you don't mind my posting your website address)!
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The web hosting company dogbark.com caters to many photographers. I've written about them on WebHostingTalk.com. Their home page features an endorsement from the infamous Seth Resnick. Don't bother with them if you're a penny-pinching amateur type. Professionals tend to be willing to pay more for important services.
I'd concur about avoiding Network Solutions* and having a different host and domain registrar.
* not because they are more expensive - but they have a reputation for being rather underhand if you want to move away.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177931\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Sounds like a newbie tactic running a small house of names. My years of professional experience with hundreds of web business clients says this accusation is simply not true. Of course, nobody is perfect and you can read anything on the internet.
Network Solutions was once the first and only place to register a domain name. No longer a monopoly, they remain and maintain one of the largest libraries of domain names, corporate and private-user alike. My clients and I find their service first rate. They also provide Private Domain Registration which protects against personal identity theft. Register.com didn't provide this once but now they do.
I have numerous clients who have switched many names between these two companies depending on their "Switch Registrar" special offers. None has had any problems and both companies offer telephone customer service.
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Network Solutions was once the first and only place to register a domain name. No longer a monopoly, they remain and maintain one of the largest libraries of domain names, corporate and private-user alike. My clients and I find their service first rate. They also provide Private Domain Registration which protects against personal identity theft. Register.com didn't provide this once but now they do.
Blue host does this with their free domains. For registering a domain I've never heard of anyone having issues with godaddy. I wouldn't host with them but for domain registration they are fine.
And if network solutions isn't a group of bastards today it is only because the market forced them to change.
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Blue host does this with their free domains. For registering a domain I've never heard of anyone having issues with godaddy. I wouldn't host with them but for domain registration they are fine.
And if network solutions isn't a group of bastards today it is only because the market forced them to change.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178024\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Well I guess this is a "happy ending" story. Before all the excellent advice given here was read, I had renewed my web provider AND domain name renewal with ipower. That, however, did not solve my problem until I set my alarm for 6AM (I'm retired, what can I say?) and got through to tech support. He had to "point" my address correctly (don't know what this means exactly), and said it would take 3 or 4 hours to take effect. It is now OK again. When the dust settles, I will look into using a differnt provider, as suggested above.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all who have helped me.
Dave Gurtcheff
www.modernpictorials.com
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And if network solutions isn't a group of bastards today it is only because the market forced them to change.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178024\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Actually, the market had nothing to do with it. From Wikipedia:
"Network Solutions started as a technology consulting company in 1979,[1] with approximately 30 employees, and focused its efforts on applications development.
Network Solutions was acquired by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in 1995 and listed on NASDAQ in 1997.
John Dillon reports in MediaFilter.org, "Initially, the service was subsidized by the government. But, in May 1993, the National Science Foundation privatized the name registry (InterNIC - Internet Network Information Center) and paid NSI $5.9 million to administer it. In September 1995, NSI instituted the fee system. A few months earlier, it had been bought out by Science Applications International Corp (SAIC).""
Life and business on the internet has changed a lot since the early 90's.
Many consumers simply don't like BIG. I get that. But I like to think BIG so I tend not to knock BIG.
Then again, when customer-service sucks from anyone, I tend to be first in line to complain.
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Among other things I am an ISP and hosting provider.
Network Solutions is a slimiest, dirtiest, nastiest and most underhanded and unethical registrar out there - any ISP will tell you this. Among other things they have been spammers, slammers (bogus emails to get you to switch ala Domain Registry of America). They have done underhanded tactics to make it difficult to switch a domain away from them, and most recently have been caught kiting domain names that are researched on their home page making it impossible to register them elsewhere. This recent flap is leading to policy changes by ICANN to avoid this sort of abuse. They also hold expired domains hostage for a $150 "redemption" fee and charge fees 2x or 3x higher than other registrars. Register.com is also owned by netsol but afaik hasn't been caught using the dirty tactics employed by netsol.
They also have been criticized for pointing expired domains at link farm ad pages rather than just letting them come up "page not found" as more ethical registrars do. Sounds like this is what happened to you as the registrar is the only party that has the ability to do this.
We (and many ISP's) use OpenSRS/Tucows or Godaddy. They are both good choices and much more reasonable and responsive than Netsol.
I have not heard anything particularly bad about iPowerWeb although we host several domains moved from them where they are still the registrar and they have had problems keeping the domains properly pointed to us and tech support is very uncooperative when we try to straighten things out.
- DL
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Thanks for the heads-up, DL. It seems there's plenty of chat at WebHostingTalk.com on the lawsuit. Just goes to show, no matter how much you think you're well read, some news slips through the cracks.
I haven't purchased a domain name in quite awhile but there have been no problems to report from my list of registrants (no spam either). If Network Solutions is found guilty, then they should pay.
During my intensive research in 2004, I couldn't help but feel the entire hosting/domain registration industry was corrupt. Maybe it still is. Terrorism doesn't help.
The behemoth GoDaddy is no stranger to controversy either. They may have spent too much money on that clever Super Bowl commercial years back and it may not have paid off. One needs to check out http://nodaddy.com/ (http://nodaddy.com/) before going with GoDaddy.
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The next day I tried to get to my site, and it was a pornography site!
Dave Gurtcheff
Whats the link? Anything good? LOL
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Sounds like a newbie tactic running a small house of names. My years of professional experience with hundreds of web business clients says this accusation is simply not true. Of course, nobody is perfect and you can read anything on the internet.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178020\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Pardon? I am mystified as to whether you think I am a newbie know-nothing (I am not) or suckered into believing everything I read on the web (I don't). In either case, it comes across as a high-handed putdown.
I hope you meant something else but just didn't explain too well why my post disagreed with your superior knowledge.
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I hope you meant something else
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178241\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I most certainly did. I have no idea how to respond to such sensitivity in light of the fact that I already concluded in this thread that dlashier's insight proved to be true. This would also indicate that your concerns about Network Solutions have merit. I'm always happy to admit when I'm wrong. I guess in some respect that makes me superior to someone.
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Just another endorsement for Dogbark.com - as mistybreeze mentioned, they are not the least expensive but they are good and cater to many graphics professionals. They don't over load their servers and there response times are very fast with the larger graphics files and flash presentations. In addition, they are most helpful always. BTW they also have a companion company, FYINIC that handles domain registrations.
The "scam" that David mentioned is an old one and I have known people who have had to pay a premium to rescue their domain names from porn pages just to save reputations.
Ed