Do you get alot of support calls regarding domain name DNS/nameserver updates? We seem to get alot of new customers who seem to have alot of trouble getting their domain records updated...either because the host hi-jacked their domain, the admin email is not correct, they don't know their control panel login, they don't know who their registrar is...and on and on.

Soooooo...I just bought "lostdomain.com" with the idea of putting up a site dedicated to helping people gain control of their domain names AND instructing them on how to update their domain name records.

Alot of the registrars seem to make it really difficult to figure out what to do. I know the Network Solutions forms and fax number is pretty intimidating, if you don't know what you're doing.

I was thinking of making some templates of the forms...step-by-step instructions and listing all the various registrars and their fax numbers....as well as FAQ's on "what to do if...".

Anyone want to help??? I was thinking I'd add a "this site supported by" page for anyone willing to donate time on putting the information together with me? We're hosting the site - so no need for that.

Any interest out there?

--Tina

Sounds a great idea - we get lots of queries about this too.

I can help,

Matt

Great! :)

Here's what I was looking at putting together:

1. Compiling a list of registrars and their contact information (phone numbers, fax numbers and support email addresses)

2. A script that can search the WHOIS, on a domain name, and give the domain name, expiration date, etc....INCLUDING the registrar. I find that alot of people don't even know which company their domains are registered through. This would help.

3. Any FAQs or information that you think would be helpful. Example: "Make sure your administrative contact email address is ALWAYS up to date and accurate."

4. Some generic forms to fax to the registrars. Thinking downloadable Word Docs, which could easily be customized with the users' letterhead (basically just their address, etc.)

5. CLEAR and CONCISE instructions - I find that alot of faxed requests are delayed because the customer will fax just a letter to Network Solutions, without including Photo ID, etc.

Anything else???

--Tina

That sounds good. Maybe a few step by step guides on how to change their settings, for the popular registrars.

I'll contact you about this shortly - later today or tomorrow; I have nice large pile of work sitting on my desk right now...

I'd like to help, but I don't know much about this. I can help compile a list of the registrars and their contact information though.

Anyone interested in helping can email me with offers. :)

We could also use a simple template - as my design skills pretty much suck. :D

Again, anyone wishing to contribute will get a "supported by" link on this site.

I think that anyone running a hosting business will benefit from this site - simply by pointing their customers to this site, when they have problems transferring.

I also envision alot of traffic from word-of-mouth, etc. So, your link could be seen by alot of people.

....or this idea could totally flop and we'd be laughed at by everyone. :D

--Tina

Ohhhhhhh...email me at tina@affordablehost.com - rather than posting a PM to me. Thanks!

--Tina

Sounds like a great idea to me. I have this same problem all the time. Especially when they had registered their domain at Netsol. Although it's getting better. Would be a great resource to point our customers to.

Tina, I emailed you about doing some templates for you.

Thanks,
Joe

Sounds good to me...

I would like to help if I can. Net Sol and I are old enemies and I have some clients that would really benefit from this.

Thanks for all offers of help! :)

Joe, from iCANx, is going to handle the design template for us.

I think once that is up, we can assign different areas of the site to different volunteers here.

Post here if you want to claim one of these areas:

1. Create (or find) and install a WHOIS script that will list the registrar, as well as the normal WHOIS info.

2. Create some Word and text documents that are appropriate for faxing to NetSol, etc.

3. Compiling some FAQs

4. Compiling some registrars and their contact info. I think this should be limited to the most popular registrars - like NetSol, openSRS, Godaddy, Register.com, etc. Thoughts?

Anything else you can think of that we should include??

BTW - When I say "we", I don't mean AffordableHOST.....I mean, "we" as in everyone in this thread. :D

--Tina

4. Compiling some registrars and their contact info. I think this should be limited to the most popular registrars - like NetSol, openSRS, Godaddy, Register.com, etc. Thoughts?

Ok, I am already working on the list. I would be interested in what people consider to be the most popular registrars...

Just dropped ya an e-mail Tina. BTW, I can come up with a back-end for lostdomain.com as well as can help you gather information regarding registrars and can help you out tid-tad over here and there (only if you need :))



Salam,
-Omair

I'd be willing to do the whois script. Ours already shows the registrar, but I can see that more programming would be necessary for CC TLDs, and to get it integrated with the design template. Would need more input.

We have step by step instructions for a lot of the registrars for doing name server changes too. I mentioned this in another thread.

And my willingness to take part shows how good of an idea I think that it is. It's much needed.

Omair has already offered to code the back-end program stuff.

However, any instructions or documentation you have would be great! You can either email me the information, or I can give you access to the site and you can fill the template pages with content. Either way would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks!

--Tina

I can contribute a domain name that I am not using, HostFAQ.com (and .net).

BTW, who will be the site admin?

Originally posted by hilda
I can contribute a domain name that I am not using, HostFAQ.com (and .net).

BTW, who will be the site admin?

Thanks, but I've already bought the domain name (lostdomain.com). I was going to do this on my own - but thought it would be a much better site if I enlisted the help of some of the regulars here. For now, I'm coordinating this effort...but I'm not going to take any more credit than anyone else who works on this project.

Omair and I discussed not having ANY links in the footer...just a general "supported by" link page - with everyone's link and a few words about the sponsor.

--Tina

It would be a good idea to store as much of the data as possible in a MySQL Database, that way the sites that are pulling together to create this knowledge base can have sections of their own site access the information (specifically their support sites), it also leaves the door open for a product to possibly sell if you require cash to keep the project running.

Regards

Greg

Originally posted by greg71
It would be a good idea to store as much of the data as possible in a MySQL Database, that way the sites that are pulling together to create this knowledge base can have sections of their own site access the information (specifically their support sites), it also leaves the door open for a product to possibly sell if you require cash to keep the project running.

Regards

Greg


I'm lost. :confused:

What information would be specific to a certain host?

==Tina

Not specific to a host, but... lets say you kept all the information in a database...

lets then say we (Easyhosts) took part in this project by helping out (I honestly would if I had the time as I think its a great idea with some serious potential) Easyhosts could then have one of its support pages access that database and output it under the Easyhosts brand... of course that information will still be availible on the mother site, but its one step further than simply having your hosting site link to an external site..

at the end of the day any site designer is keen to keep his/her readers on his/her site.

Regards

Greg Gannicott

<<Please set up a signature (see PROFILES button above)>>

I am also very interested in helping with this project.

Originally posted by greg71
Not specific to a host, but... lets say you kept all the information in a database...

lets then say we (Easyhosts) took part in this project by helping out (I honestly would if I had the time as I think its a great idea with some serious potential) Easyhosts could then have one of its support pages access that database and output it under the Easyhosts brand... of course that information will still be availible on the mother site, but its one step further than simply having your hosting site link to an external site..

at the end of the day any site designer is keen to keep his/her readers on his/her site.

Regards

Greg Gannicott



Ummmmm...who's going to pay for all this bandwidth? :eek:

Seriously, if we keep it an external link, at least those who work on the site (myself included...and I'm footing the bill for the bandwidth) - will at least get some recognition on the "supported by" link page. Obviously, there is most likely not going to be any major benefit to those on the link page...but, hopefully, there will be a little.

Also, by making it an external link - not EVERY single host will want to link to it...but at least it will still reach ALOT of people.

--Tina

I don't think everyone calling the information from one database is a good idea, at all. It's just not fair to the host site to have to use that extra bandwidth/overhead. Lets just leave it at linking to the page.

Also, if we would have the one database spread out over hundreds of sites, the maintainers of the page wouldn't get any of the benefits, like people seeing the 'supported links page' or any way determined to pay the bandwidth (if say it was decided to put up a banner to try to offset the bandwidth cost)

My orginal plan was to sell the rights to use the information in the database (this covers the bandwidth costs).. how you do this is another matter, but I for one would be interested in purchasing such rights. Perhaps you could release an Intergration Kit of sorts.

The orginal contributors benefit by:

a) being able to place the content in their site (under their brand.. everyone loves it being integrated) at no charge
b) perhaps make some money from the sale of the integration kit rather than simply covering costs of bandwidth.

I just feel if you place it in a database now, even if you never take up the option you still have the chance down the line to better use the information. There is no harm in thinking ahead. External Site integration isn't the only benefit of having the info stored in a database.

Regards

Greg

Originally posted by greg71
My orginal plan was to sell the rights to use the information in the database (this covers the bandwidth costs).. how you do this is another matter, but I for one would be interested in purchasing such rights. Perhaps you could release an Intergration Kit of sorts.

The orginal contributors benefit by:

a) being able to place the content in their site (under their brand.. everyone loves it being integrated) at no charge
b) perhaps make some money from the sale of the integration kit rather than simply covering costs of bandwidth.

I just feel if you place it in a database now, even if you never take up the option you still have the chance down the line to better use the information. There is no harm in thinking ahead. External Site integration isn't the only benefit of having the info stored in a database.

Regards

Greg


Good idea - not sure I'm ready to go that route yet. What parts of the site would you put in the database? The registrar contact info? The FAQ/Knowledge base?

--Tina

AffordableHost: Pretty much anything could be thrown into a database. The registrar, contact info, basic information would be a good idea, and very easy to do, to put in a database. With a little time an FAQ management PHP script could be made and thrown into a database as well. I sent you an e-mail earlier, if you're interested in going that route reply back and I might be able to help a bit.

Once the information is in the database it will enable readers to find the information they are looking for. They could enter the name of their registrar into a search form, or search the FAQs for specific information. It will also enable you to find out what questions are being looked at most, and perhaps have these on the front page for easy access for new readers. Readers could post comments regarding a particular registrar (under moderation of course).

The list goes on. Our hosting sales site is completely based on PHP and there are still so many new features we are able to add and the amount of information we are gathering on our customers is extrememly helpful as well..

I strongly recommend the database route.

Well, thanks to Joe, we now have a template to work with. *yay*

See: http://www.lostdomain.com/

You can see the general sections/areas that we kinda had in mind - are there any other issues that need to be covered? Any other links to add? Suggestions?

Omair: Please contact me about the WHOIS and Site Search scripts. I'll get you access to the account so you can set those up right away.

Thanks everyone for all the offers of help. I didn't think there would be this much of a response to this type of site. I knew it was needed...but wasn't sure if anyone else would think so. Again, thanks! :)

--Tina

Very interesting concept, I would be glad to participate however I have to admit that domains are not really my field of expertise.

Silly suggestion: what about a forum?

Originally posted by Wismie
Very interesting concept, I would be glad to participate however I have to admit that domains are not really my field of expertise.

Silly suggestion: what about a forum?


Not a silly suggestion at all. I think that would be a good thing. Visitors to the site could share their own domain horror stories and others could help them, etc.

What's the best forum out there now? One that will be gentle on this server! :D

--Tina

vbulletin is the best - i doubt there will be any arguments about that.

I own a copy of that already. Is that a one-use license, or can we use that on lostdomain.com too?

I guess I could purchase another copy, if needed...but someone would have to install it for us. I don't want to also pay to have one of my techs install it.

--Tina

I'll install it if you'd like - Or even teach you how - It's sooo easy :)

It really is one of the easiest programs to install. Let me know... marlowe@firstfaze.com or PM me

I believe you can only use it on one domain (but sshhh, Im using mine on 2) - One doesnt get any traffic, heh.. Cause Im not sure if Im keeping it.. So I just installed it again - No security that I see.. But you dont want to take chances for a site like yours.

Why pay for a forum? There are a lot of good ones for free:

I use PHPBB2 with a vBulletin look on my main site --> http://www.nicewebs.com/phpBB2/index.php and I find it really nice and efficient.

Otherwise, I like Ikonboard, but it's a perl-based forum, so I would not recommend it (requires server's resources). See my other forum --> http://www.mystiquenet.com/cgi-bin/IB/ikonboard.cgi

And (I hope soon): ibforums --> beta running at http://www.invisionboard.com/forums/

Needless to say that I could install one of them ;)

vbulletin is amazing what it can handle and it does come with priority support as well - If you're planning on building any kind of real community - Which of course no one ever does, but if you think it'll happen - plan ahead... www.honda-acura.net has about 300 - 400 people on the boards at the same time and it doesnt have a problem handling it.. anything other than vbulletin will crap out (I've seen it)

I'd install phpBB2 for you if needed - I like the concept of the site. :)

Nice quick template there too Joe!

Originally posted by FocusOn718
vbulletin is amazing what it can handle and it does come with priority support as well - If you're planning on building any kind of real community - Which of course no one ever does, but if you think it'll happen - plan ahead... www.honda-acura.net has about 300 - 400 people on the boards at the same time and it doesnt have a problem handling it.. anything other than vbulletin will crap out (I've seen it)

Okay, need more input everyone. PHBB2 or vBulletin? Which way should we go??

Lets plan on this site being insanely popular!

--Tina

I just personally see it, as regardless whether the site is free or not... You have to make your site quality.. Even if it's free resources - People will bitch if the forum is down for example.... With vbulletin you do get priority support, a bigger community, more customizations, and soo n.. phpbb is still in production and I see new bugs reported daily... vbulletin is developed by a team of very high qualified professionals and so on.. I dont usually purchase software like this, because there usually is either A LOT cheaper, or free one... just like it, but over my times.. vbulletin has proven to be far far superior than the rest.

Originally posted by FocusOn718
anything other than vbulletin will crap out (I've seen it)
Have you seen phpBB2 crap out? They've only just released the stable version within the last week or so. Looks good.

I would think at least to begin with, there's no point in spending money buying VBulletin etc. If you do somehow find phpBB2 cant handle the traffic you end up generating, then you can always switch to vB, but I wouldn't spend too much money until I saw how it all worked out if I was you.

Last week or two? Ok.. maybe not :)

Check on two things though...

1) If it is stable :)

2) If you can tranfer posts into vbulletin... (I guess more of check vbulletin if it'll import from them)

I never used vBulletin, so I cannot say. But so far, phpBB2 is known to be one of the fastest boards. It might not have all the features vbulletin has, but I would not say it's a "cheap" or low-cost board.

I know a lot of people who are running those boards for professional and high-demand sites, and they have no problem with them.... but still, of course, you don't have the same support, I have to admit...

Originally posted by HostIt

Have you seen phpBB2 crap out? They've only just released the stable version within the last week or so. Looks good.

I would think at least to begin with, there's no point in spending money buying VBulletin etc. If you do somehow find phpBB2 cant handle the traffic you end up generating, then you can always switch to vB, but I wouldn't spend too much money until I saw how it all worked out if I was you.

Okay, guys, lets not turn this into an argument. *trying to keep the peace here* :D

Lets let everyone else give their opinions - and we'll go from there. We know where both of you stand on this issue.

For the record, I don't mind spending $80 on a new copy of vBulletin, if its decided that its the better option - really! :)

--Tina

Personally both as an administrator and a reader I would sooner use vBulletin.

Maybe I am just stuck in my ways though.

As a user/reader I also prefer vBulletin

Originally posted by FocusOn718
Last week or two? Ok.. maybe not
April 4th I believe it was that they brought out phpBB2 for the public.
*trying to keep the peace here*
Yeah sorry Tina, didn't mean to hijack the thread :blush:

I guess if you're not really concerned about spending the money maybe vBulletin is the way to go. Seems like a few people like it around these parts. I must admit as a user, it does have a few nice features over phpBB2 :)

Yep probably ;=)

Okay, vBulletin it shall be.


The first one to email me, gets the awesome privledge of installing this for us. *haha*

Ready...set...GO! :D

PS: Link credit, of course.

--Tina

I would be glad to, but as I have no experience with vbulletin.. would be glad to be a moderator, however ;)

Well, I e-mailed you.. did I win?? did I win?? lol, jk...

I'd be up for being a moderator as well, as you can see - I have no life :) lol

Originally posted by FocusOn718
Well, I e-mailed you.. did I win?? did I win?? lol, jk...

I'd be up for being a moderator as well, as you can see - I have no life :) lol


Yeah, you won...and you set it up in like 60 seconds, I swear.

Sooooo...everyone, we now have a Message Board at LostDomain.com! Its not yet customized, but will be soon. Its functional though. Any suggestions for forum titles?

http://www.LostDomain.com - click on the Message Board link.

--Tina

The first forum I would consider setting up is one for all the people who are contributing to this site as somewhere to discuss what needs to be done next. I think it would be ideal to have seperate threads going (for example I suspect the vBulletin discussion would have gone on longer if it had its own thread) rather than relying on this one.

The only short-fall I see is as this thread would no longer be in the public's eye, you will recieve less support as the thread slips down the message board..

http://www.lostdomain.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=3

I've already had one volunteer mention Australian domain names - and possibly some instructions for managing those. That made me think about .co.uk domains, which I know are also handled in a specific way.

Should we have a link, in the menu, to "Non-US Domains"?

--Tina

yes, that would be a very good idea indeed ;)

Hello Guys,

First of all, sorry for not getting back soon. Secondly, I don't like the design of lostdomain.com as I think it is not at all appropriate for the kind of websites we would be developing.

Make it a little attractive, rather then just text floating around through out the website. Frankly speaking, I being a visitor had closed that website after giving it a first look only.

I always emphasize on having a white background, so I would recommend having white background for this site too as it gives a professional look too.

Lastly, the main reason I am writing this post is that I really feel being unfair to Tina of AH. First reason is that she is the one who owns the domain, is providing hosting and then she bought license for vBulletin. So she is the one who is spending all the money, regardless of whether it a huge amount or small, everyone should contribute. I really feel sorry for not being here before else I would have bought the license for vBulletin or would have gone the cost-effective way; that is phpBB2 which is almost as good as vB. Anyways, point is that Tina, next time before spending some money on this website, atleast ask everyone for contribution REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ITS A HUGE AMOUNT OR NOT.

Btw, I really appreciate interest of all the people in this website.


Salam,
-Omair

Hi Omair,

I actually didn't mind purchasing the forum software at all. Honest! It wasn't a big deal to me in the least.

As for the site - you have to remember this is an informational site. We don't need graphics or fluff...just information presented in a clear and understandable format.

The background does look white, on my browser. What color is it on yours? The link area is pale gray with green links...is that the side that you didn't like?

Overall, I'm really pleased with the design. Very clean and professional.

--Tina

Yeh, I think the site looks great and is very appropriate for its purpose.

I dont give praise on sites to easily, there is usually something or another wrong, but this one does look really good!

Hello Tina,

I know why the background is white for you, because you have choosen to display Windows Colors on webpages instead of their original colour.

You can turn this off by going to Tools > Internet Options > Colors and then unselect Windows Color.

That would do it. And then again visit the webpage and you would understand what I meant.


BTW, those instructions were for IE 5.01 as I have that too :)


Salam,
-Omair

Okay, it should now be white for everyone. :D

--Tina

This just in...

The owner of lostdomainS.com has just offered to sell us his domain for $3500.

--Tina

Hahahaha that is so sad.

Lostdomains is not even a developed website.
like I said earlier ... it looks almost like a test pad or a chat portal.

hurmpf.

Karen

Tina, your website affordablehost.com is currently hosting copyrighted images and content that do not belong to you and are of a restricted nature.

This is a request for your removal of this content.

Originally posted by Hostbust
Tina, your website affordablehost.com is currently hosting copyrighted images and content that do not belong to you and are of a restricted nature.

This is a request for your removal of this content.

...and why would you post here to tell me this?

Anyway, where is this copyrighted info? All of my content was put together by me - and I have 110% faith that the webdesigner did not use any copyrighted graphics. He is a trusted friend of mine, who would not put me in that position.

Email me at tina@affordablehost.com to continue this.

--Tina

This just in...

The owner of lostdomainS.com just offered us $500 for lostdomain.com :D

<sappy music> You can't put a price on helping people, dammit! </sappy music>

Anyway, we need someone to put together the FAQ back-end programming...like a php driven solution or something. Several people volunteered, but no one has gotten back to me regarding "When can you do it and what do you need to get started?". Anyone? Anyone?

--Tina

Originally posted by AffordableHost


...and why would you post here to tell me this?

Anyway, where is this copyrighted info? All of my content was put together by me - and I have 110% faith that the webdesigner did not use any copyrighted graphics. He is a trusted friend of mine, who would not put me in that position.

Email me at tina@affordablehost.com to continue this.

--Tina

Because YOU are here :rolleyes:

Sending you a PM

Hello Tina,

Sorry for not getting back to you soon regarding PHP back-end for FaQ and other stuff of LostDomain. Anyways, just sending you an e-mail.


Salam,
-Omair

Hostbust, I would hope that you normally show more professionalism than this.

Tina, great idea, I've been following the posts but feel I don't have much in the way of expertise to offer. But I know that in the last week alone I've had two customers who were totally lost about how to handle their domains through NetSol. :(

The mere fact the content resides on their servers for an extended period of time is why I contacted her this way.

It is a fact it is there, and it is a fact that it is being stored.

I have contacted her and she indeed admited it is there.

Nothing unprofessional about what I posted other than the subject of this thread being copped, apologize for that.

Normally a very unprofessional person would post a link to the content exposing them but I did not do that did I?

Again, I apologize to the original thread started redirecting the subject of the thread.

With a polite contact by me towards Tina, this was HER very unprofessional reply.

They are being stored on my server - but no one can access them unless they are poking around for things they shouldn't be. The publicly announced link was taken offline when one of the resellers politely asked me to. Case closed.

If you have further complaints, have your attorney send a letter to the contact address on my site...and I will have my attorney tell yours to go to hell.

No further replies, regarding this issue, will be sent to you.

--Tina

After reading previous posts in this forum by both of you, I frankly do not think much of you HostBust. In multiple threads you have insulted people or just tried to cause problems. If they are not accessible for viewing on any pages, then it doesn't really matter, does it? If you were acting professionally, you would have e-mailed her instead of publicly posting this. Why attempt to tar someone's reputation over unused images? She has posted her e-mail address in multiple posts on this thread alone, so use it.

Originally posted by DWood
After reading previous posts in this forum by both of you, I frankly do not think much of you HostBust. In multiple threads you have insulted people or just tried to cause problems. If they are not accessible for viewing on any pages, then it doesn't really matter, does it? If you were acting professionally, you would have e-mailed her instead of publicly posting this. Why attempt to tar someone's reputation over unused images? She has posted her e-mail address in multiple posts on this thread alone, so use it.

I have apologized to the original thread starter, as well as already done what you are suggesting.

You are continuing this.

Now apologize, you don't know me, nor the content, they are not unused images we are talking about.

Why should I apologize? You didn't apologize to Tina, you called her unprofessional and continued the attack ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD, not in an e-mail to her. You should have never brought this up here, that is what PM's and e-mails are for. I didn't claim to know you, but I do know some of the things you have said to other people in other threads and 90% of the posts I have read from you are inappropriate. In your "quote" from Tina's letter, it said nobody can access the images unless they are poking around where they aren't supposed to be. If you would have politely e-mailed Tina in the first place, she probably would have said ok and taken them down.

So whatever you say is alright, but anything anyone else says is "continuing this".....

-no comment

Originally posted by DWood
After reading previous posts in this forum by both of you, I frankly do not think much of you HostBust. In multiple threads you have insulted people or just tried to cause problems. If they are not accessible for viewing on any pages, then it doesn't really matter, does it? If you were acting professionally, you would have e-mailed her instead of publicly posting this. Why attempt to tar someone's reputation over unused images? She has posted her e-mail address in multiple posts on this thread alone, so use it.


One comment is all I will make about this...then no more will be said about it and we will go back to talking about lostdomain.com

The material in question involves a couple of my competitors viciously attacking my integrity in the MCHost reseller forum. It almost cost me a reseller. Someone was nice enough to give me a copy of the pages - in case I decided to persue the matter legally.

The pages are on my server, but they are not linked to anything that anyone should have accecss to.

NOTE: I am asking EVERYONE to please drop this. Its not as important as the LostDomain.com project and I would hate to see it get sidetracked over this. If anyone needs to contact me about this, my email address is tina@affordablehost.com

--Tina

:rolleyes: Sure would be nice if a modder could clean this thread. :rolleyes:

Not sure why there is a vendetta against Tina, in my opinion it's clearly unprofessional especially when email and pm contacts exist, I've known Tina for a long time and can vouch for here character.

As a mod the thread has been taken OT and will be locked.