My apologies. I just thought that jockstraphosting.com would make a great name for a web host. And the slogan... "Count on us for great support."

But seriously, folks, I have 3 questions, & a comment, that I would appreciate your thoughts on...

1) Q - Is there any way I can research as to how long a particular web host has been in business?

2) Q - Is there any way I can research as to about how many domains a particular web host is hosting?

3) Q -Some hosts call it "dedicated IP" & some say "static IP" -- is there any difference?

4) C - SMTP is important to me. I wish hosts would make it more evident as to whether they do or do not offer it.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Bellgamin

Originally posted by bellgamin
1) Q - Is there any way I can research as to how long a particular web host has been in business?

Well, I can't answer all your questions, but a good way to find out how long someone has been in business is to do a WHOIS on their domain name and see when the domain was first registered.

Of course, this isn't guaranteed to be 100% accurate incase they underwent a name change or something like that, but it's a good start....I think.

Should of kept my mouth shut.... ughhhhhhhh

Instead of showing the 'Ignoramus Neon Sign' :rolleyes:

SEE BELOW FOR CORRECT ANSWERS !

Dedicated IP is your own IP for your own use - not shared.

Static IP is an IP that does not change.

Dynamic IP is a changing IP.

Actually those terms are best used in different arenas...

Static IP generally should be used to refer to an internet connection, i. e., your computer is always the same IP/static versus it may be identified differently each time you sign on. Dial up generally changes each time, while fixed lines, dsl, and cable normally offer static addresses.

Dedicated IP generally should be used to refer to a web site that has its own independent IP/address and does not reside under another site's address.

1) Q - Is there any way I can research as to how long a particular web host has been in business?This forum is a good start -- and the longer the host has been around, generally the better their businesses are. Before any of you hotheads out there react, I said GENERALLY. It's part of the big picture.

2) Q - Is there any way I can research as to about how many domains a particular web host is hosting?Don't know. You can ask the host, but if you have questions about their credibility, be cautious. The most important aspect of this, though is how many sites they host PER SERVER.

3) Q -Some hosts call it "dedicated IP" & some say "static IP" -- is there any difference?While the definitions above are helpful, for all intents and purposes, the terms are equivalent.

4) C - SMTP is important to me. I wish hosts would make it more evident as to whether they do or do not offer it.They don't often offer it, though, because of security issues and because SMTP is an unnecessary drain on system resources. They figure, you have an ISP already, so you ought to have your own SMTP server.

I have yet to find a way to accurately measure the number of websites a company hosts. However, check www.netcraft.com. It has some really useful tools. If you go to "what's that site running" it gives you uptime information if it is being monitored and it will give you netblock owner for ip address. Then if the host owns their own ip addresses, you will be able to click on the netblock owner name and get a list (although not complete) of the sites it hosts. Lots of ifs but netcraft has been very valuable to me. Check it out, it will help you too.

1) Remember that the Internet is not your only source of information. If the hosting company is incorporated, there are public records available if you look hard enough. Also, I would just ask the host. Most people are honest.

2) Once again, the best way is to ask the host. There are things you can do like do a lookup on the nameservers they use to see how many domains use those nameservers. However, if they have resellers using personalized nameservers, if they allow their direct customers personalized nameservers, if they have more than one set of nameservers (possibly due to past domain changes of their own - especially if they've been around a while), or if they have a number of customers using 3rd party domain redirection services, these numbers may be significantly wrong. So, you may be able to use this method to tell if a host has 3 customers or hundreds, but it is by no means an accurate count.

3) While the two terms do mean significanly different things, my guess would be that a host using the term "static" probably means "dedicated", and just doesn't realize they are using the wrong term. Or, it could be a sneaky way to camoflauge the fact that they are giving out shared (but static because the shared IP doesn't change) IP's. Once again, ask the host what they mean if they are saying "static". (Side note: It looks like most hosts will be going to shared IP's due to ARIN getting paranoid.)

4) If a host does not specify that they offer SMTP, I generally assume that means they don't. In any industry, I like it when the seller gives me all the information and allows me to decide what to do with it. While any host that chooses not to offer it is fully justified & does not need to explain their reasoning, you just need to remember that many hosts /do/ offer SMTP. Once again, if you are unsure and this is important to you, ask!

Originally posted by agiledesigns
I have yet to find a way to accurately measure the number of websites a company hosts...

I just posted something that may help.

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40114

Just remember that "the number of registered domains using this nameserver" is a different than "the number of customers a webhost has." While these numbers may be similar in some cases, they can be extremely different, as well.

Originally posted by bigmattyh
The most important aspect of this, though is how many sites they host PER SERVER.



This is totally irrelavent information.

If I told you I host 3 sites on one server and 400 on another...which server would you want to be on?

Think this through before you answer.

--Tina

Jockstraphosting.com hahaha umm WAIT a sec. are you trying to be funny? Get your own board :) jjk

Actually thats not a bad idea you should register it. ANother slogan might be:

Does your host leave your precious assetts unprotected, if so contact jockstraphosting. We wont leave you or your PACKAGE hanging.

Hosting package people HOSTING package...

You guys are just sick :)

Have you been stiffed by other hosts? If you've been itching for better support...


...okay, I'm done now. :eek:

--Tina

Originally posted by kmh
While the two terms do mean significanly different things, my guess would be that a host using the term "static" probably means "dedicated", and just doesn't realize they are using the wrong term. Or, it could be a sneaky way to camoflauge the fact that they are giving out shared (but static because the shared IP doesn't change) IP's. Either of which, as far as I'm concerned, would be reason to hesitate to go with a host that uses the term. Either they appear not to be very technically knowledgeable, or the appear to be deceptive.
(Side note: It looks like most hosts will be going to shared IP's due to ARIN getting paranoid.)Maybe, eventually. ARIN made a pretty strong statement to that effect more than a year ago, but backed off on it after public comment (to put it mildly) a couple of months later, saying they'll be re-evaluating the issue.

Woe is me, I am becoming addicted to WHT!

This thread was terrible for me.

I had narrowed my search [for u know what] down to just a couple.

Problem is, I am a fan of helpful-articulate-humorous folks, so I picked up 3 MORE prospects from the posts herein.

As for this fellow ARIN who is getting paranoid -- does that rascal live in Hawaii? I think my granddaughter dated that bum. He must have a bladder problem. Kept asking folks, "Share with me as IP."

Aloha & shalom from Paradise,
Bellgamin

:cartman:

Ugh, my brain hurts. I need to leave this planet for a short period of time......Bye Bye....