Hi As some of you may have heard, Homestead is changing it's services pretty drastically. The hosting services that they are offering are not very competitive, so I found a new host, Directoris. The package they offered is awesome. So, the problem?

I have never ever used a host like this. It seems that everything must be done through ftp. The package says that I have a control panel, pop 3 mailboxes, autoresponders, the list goes on and on. Yet I have no clue in heaven and earth how to access any of these things. They are a new hosting company and do not yet have forums for this sort of thing set up.

Html and design are non issues because I found an excellent program called IBM Websphere. It seems that I finally found what seemed like a great hosting package, but I can't use it. Can anyone recommend an online tutorial or a book or anything so that I can actually learn how to use these features?

Thank You!!!
Julie

Welcome to the forums!
Im not familiar with the co. you signed with, but even if they dont have forums, surely they have some sort of support area, for help?
Control panels are all different but the basis for one is normally to make things easier on you, for updating pages, setting up emails and so forth.
I would have thought, you would receive some sort of welcome letter for your new account with at least BASIC how to's on accessing things!
I certainly recommend contacting that host ASAP for some explanation for you!
Please....keep us posted!
Martie

Thank you for your response. I did not receive anything other than my account password, ftp address, a control panel path, and a path to other things like a cgi bin.

It took hours to figure out the ftp stuff. I have done that many other times, but this was just wierd. Usually I just use the software that comes with websphere or else another program called powerdesk. When I checked with support they suggested a whole new program called cute ftp. It worked. Same info, same set-up. It baffles me as to why I could not accomplish the same objective using the other programs.

I thought acontrol panel was somethign you could actually view and use, but all I could see was a folder in the ftp program. The same for everything else. There is supposed to be 50 pop 3 email addresses, etc. but I am completeyl clueless as to how to access them.

I guess I posted here because suddenly I felt like a complete idiot and thought maybe this was just maybe way more technical than other hosts that I've worked with. I will make the suggested request with the host once again.

Julie,

You must be from a free host where your used to not having to use FTP and where you could simply build your site and it was automically saved onto the web.

With pay hosts you have to build your website in your own program and then FTP (upload) it to the web.

I am used to that part of it. I have used other hosts that only worked via ftp. Their control panels were actual physical pages though. This "control panel" I fail to even see the point of because it is nothing more than a folder in the directory that seems to serve no function.

I love the programs that I haev to work with. The building and ftp parts are no problem no. Although it does still baffle me as to why the same set up info worked with one brand of ftp software and not several others.

There seemsto be no way to access teh pop 3 mail accounts available unless that is just one of those things that I am still entirely unfamiliar with in terms of a paid host. My experience is limited to outlook express and a few web based email accounts. It will likely take another day or two for the host to get back to me, hopefully with at least something to start with.

I guess the main reason for my post here was that I realize that there is much that I do have to learn regarding hosting in this manner. So, I was hoping maybe someone would know of some decent tutorials or books that I could buy to try to start learning. I would also recommend them to teh others who are leaving the host Homestead. Thanks

First you may want to contact your new host, if you hav'nt done so yet. They should be in a better position to stir you around. It is sought of difficult to get help from here without more specific problems or questions. If you are looking for more general stuff about using various web hosting features, then your best bet will be doing searches on search engines and directories.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to respond. I finally figured out how to access the elusive control panel which contains answers to questions I didn't even know I would ask. I got teh chance to try some things out as well. Awesome! This is a company that has only been arounf for three years and they are still putting things together at their main site. They happened to be running an intro special presumably to generate press and/or an initial customer base, so I got a lifetime hosting deal w/o advertisements for $14 for life. Now that I have the control panel thing figured out, the rest looks simple enough.

Is that $14 for your life or theirs?
I tried to put a fence up the other week and apart from a bad back and blisters I had a crooked line, so I paid a professional to come and do the job properly and now I am the proud owner of a fence fit for...... well, a garden.
Why in this day and age do we all try to do things that we are not skilled enough to do ? I remember the first time I tried to FTP something (many years ago) it was a nightmare but it gets better.
One piece of advice I would give you though, if this is a business site you are making, make sure that everyone that assists you in the construction offers you some sort of support.

FTP is very easy, especially from a PC. Get a copy of WS_FTP and it's a breeze. As with anything, if you don't config it right it won't work well. Or if you upload or delete the wrong file that too can mess things up.

Keep in mind too, while hiring a pro is a good option, if you plan on maintaining the site you need to understand the code. Or you always have to pay someone for simple updates.

Hi The offer is for the life of the time that you choose to have them as your host unless of course you go over the bandwidth specified (5000MB/mo) or space (250MB). As for your other question, I can't answer for everyone else. For me, I love learning new things and a good challenge. In most areas I can learn very quickly and independantly. It's not everyone's cup of tea. Two yaers ago, I refinished the basment here to add three bedrooms for my kids. I learned how to do it step-by-step and had a contractor compliment it. I am fairly new at web design, but am very quickly learning about that too. It has been a lot of fun!! Years ago I had to give up painting due to time and expense. This has been a wonderful outlet for creativity. No, I don't recommend taht everyone run out and do everything on their own. That's why we have experts who choose to study specialized services. I just happen to be one of the "not normal" ones.

The host I am using is at http://www.directoris.com . They do not yet have their entire site up and running as hosting is a new service for them although they have been in business for 3 years.