They never thought they would do it, but they finally did - directphp developed their AutoControl Pro for the 550. I was one of the lucky few who got a chance to preview it earlier this week and it's incredible.

You can get more info at there site here: http://www.directphp.com (http://www.directphp.com/index.php?ref=stevepel)

If you've seen AutoControl Pro for the Raq 3 & 4, you'll see many major changes with the 550. Everything about the 550 can be controlled from AutoControl Pro, you'll never have to go to the regular control panel again. The user control panel for the hosting clients has been completely redesigned and looks great.

I'm on a Raq 4 now, but will be moving to the 550 before the end of the year and this is one investment I'll be making.

Check it out!

Are you affiliated with DirectPHP? That sounded like a sales pitch

No I am not an affiliate, just a happy customer (they don't have an affiliate program yet, although they are considering it). I've been using their Auto Control Pro for over a year - first on a Raq3, then we upgraded to a Raq4. DirectPHP helped with the migration.

Earlier this year when we had considered a Raq 550, they didn't think they were going to develop AutoControl for the 550. A couple of weeks ago, I got an email letting me know they were and if would be interested in checking it out. I did and was thrilled with all the new features.

It's not going to cost you anything to try it out. Download it and give it a try on your 550. Our hosting business completely changed when we purchased Auto Control Pro. Just the ability to have accounts set up automatically when new customers sign up has been worth it to us.

How do you like it on a RAQ3?

AutoControl Pro runs great on the Raq 3. I would still be on a Raq3, but had an opportunity to get on a Raq 4 for the same amount per month.

To me, the best feature of AutoControl is the automated set up of new accounts. I just wanted new customers to have the ability to set up their accounts immediately after they paid and not have to wait for me to set it up for them. I originally had it set up with ClickBank, then we went "big time" and got a merchant account. AutoControl works perfectly with Authorize.net.

When I first got the Raq 3 I was a complete hosting novice and when customers started asking for PHP and MySQL, I was lost. AutoControl helps you get those set up as well.

Been playing with the AutoControl Pro 550 demo.
Don't like it. Has a few bugs, like wiping out the entire domain DNS when removing a subdomain, along with a mailing list control that doesn't work. Double checked everything on the Cobalt GUI and via shell.

Plus, the graphics need to be less 'amateurish.'

I was really hoping this would be better, since I've been looking for a GUI replacement to the stock 550, and there's not many around, or actually, none that I know of that are .pkg

I'll keep an eye out on www.directphp.com in hopes of a better, less buggy version.

Manny