Welcome to elreno.org
Web Hosting - Changing Web Hosts, Pitfalls and Planning
At some point, nearly everyone finds it necessary to change web hosts. It may be just a migration to another server, or it may be changing web hosting companies entirely. Either way, the process is fraught with potential dangers. But there are ways to minimize the odds of problems and maximize your changes of a smooth migration.
Plan, plan, plan.
Make a very detailed list of everything that is on your current system. Review what is static and what changes frequently. Note any tailoring done to software and files. Be prepared to remake them if the systems aren't transferred properly or can't be restored. Keep careful track of all old and new names, IP addresses and other information needed to make the migration.
Backup and Test
Backup everything on your system yourself, whenever possible. Web hosting companies typically offer that as a service, but the staff and/or software are often less than par. Often backups appear to go well, but they're rarely tested by restoring to a spare server. When the time comes that they're needed, they sometimes don't work.
Do a dry run, if you can. Restore the system to its new location and make any needed changes. If you have the host name and or IP address buried in files, make sure it gets changed.
This is often true of databases. SQL Server on Windows, for example, picks up the host name during installation. Moving a single database, or even multiple ones, to a new server is straightforward using in-built utilities or commercial backup/restore software. But moving certain system-related information may require changing the host name stored inside the master database. Similar considerations apply to web servers and other components.
Accept Some Downtime
Be prepared for some downtime. Very few systems can be picked up, moved to another place, then brought online with zero downtime. Doing so is possible, in fact it's common. But in such scenarios high-powered professionals use state-of-the-art tools to make the transition seamless. Most staff at web hosting companies don't have the skills or the resources to pull it off.
Prepare for Name Changes
One aspect of moving to a new host can bedevil the most skilled professionals: changing domain names and or domain name/IP address combinations.
When you type a URL into your browser, or click on one, that name is used because it's easier for people to remember. www.yahoo.com is a lot easier to remember than 209.131.36.158. Yet the name and or name/IP address combination can (and does) change. Still, specialized servers called DNS (Domain Name System) servers have to keep track of them. And there are a lot of them.
There may be only two (rarely) or there may be a dozen or more DNS servers between your visitors' browsers/computers and your web host. Every system along the chain has to keep track of who is who. When a name/IP address changes, that pair has to be communicated to everyone along the chain, and that takes time.
In the meantime, it's possible for one visitor to find you at the new place, while another will be pointing to the old one. Some amount of downtime will usually occur while everything gets back in sync.
The Little Gotchas
But even apart from name and IP address changes, there are a hundred little things that can, and often do, go wrong. That's not a disaster. It's just the normal hurdles that arise when changing something as complicated as a web site and the associated systems that underlie it.
Gather Tools and Support
Having an FTP program that you're familiar with will help facilitate the change. That will allow you to quickly move files from one place to the next to do your part to get the system ready to go or make repairs.
Making the effort to get to know, and become friendly with, support staff at the new site can be a huge benefit. They may be more willing to address your problem before the dozen others they have to deal with at any given moment.
Ok. On your mark. Get ready. Go.
Hook Up with Fat Wallet for Free Sweet Deals on the Net Maybe you have heard of fatwallet.com, but you don't know exactly what this site can offer you. Their slogan is "pocket the difference," which sounds good, but what exactly can this do for you? Here is a brief introduction to fatwallet.com, and what it can offer you. Expect to find the best deals and consumer reports in this vibrant web community. Welcome to the Community of FatWallet What is the FatWallet community? The mission of this community is value, knowledge and guidance. The FatWallet community offers its users to share in the deals and knowledge derived from their vibrant and active forums. With almost a million active members and shoppers, the FatWallet forums are places of knowledge and exchanged information. You can save your best money-saving tips and deals in these very free forums. You will find that the FatWallet forums are often addictive and fun. Signing up for these forums is easy and fast, and you will have instant access to the best of what FatWallet has to offer you. How to Join FatWallet If you are new to the community, here are the three fast and easy steps you need to take in order to join FatWallet. First, you just sign up so that the company knows whom to pay. Joining FatWallet is fast and free. Next, just make sure to shop through FatWallet. You will find the best deals from your favorite stores. Whenever you make an online purchase, you will be earning back Cash Back. This money will begin to add up in your FatWallet account. Finally, get paid. You can request your payments to be made via PayPal or via check. If you need any help with FatWallet, you will find that the website offers responsive customer service that can help answer all of your questions and deal with your concerns. Why Should You Join FatWallet? Maybe you are wondering why you should bother signing up with FatWallet. There are many reasons why you might choose to shop through FatWallet. First, shopping through FatWallet allows you to communicate with almost a million shoppers in the FatWallet forums. Find out what's hot and what's not in the FatWallet forums. You can raise your shopper's IQ by reading up on money-saving tips and the latest deals. You will find that the FatWallet forums are what make the site so very special. You will also find that the forums can be very addictive. What Makes FatWallet So Special? Perhaps you are wondering what makes FatWallet so special. FatWallet is one of the most intriguing shopping websites because it is content-driven, and most of the content on the website is created by its users. That means that the majority of the content on the FatWallet website is generate by consumers, specifically for consumers. FatWallet is not just a fun and easy way to save money and make money through online purchases, it is also a great way to find out the latest shopping trends. You can easily find out the latest shopping trends. If you are looking for the best price on an item, chances are that you need only consult the FatWallet forums to find the best and latest deals on whatever you happen to be shopping for. Whether it is a new car, new laptop computer or new pair of shoes, you will be able to find the best deals by checking in with your fellow FatWallet forum members. Enjoy the experience consumer critical mass. When half a million consumers get together, you will be surprised and pleased by how much you can learn about the products and services that are currently available on the market. Copyright Law Act The Copyright Law Act of 1976 The Copyright Law Act of 1976 is the basis of the United States copyright laws. The Copyright Law Act states the rights of copyright owners, the doctrine of the fair use copyright laws and it changed the term life of copyrights. Before the Copyright Law Act the law had not been revised since 1909. It was necessary that the copyright laws be revised to take into account technological strides that were being made in radio, sound recordings, motions pictures and more. The Copyright Law Act of 1976 preempted all previous laws that were on the books in the United States, including the Copyright Act of 1909. The Copyright Law Act of 1976 defines “works of authorship” to include all of the following: * Musical works * Literary works * Dramatic works * Pictorial, sculptural and graphics * Motion Pictures and Audiovisuals * Sound Recordings * Choreographic Works and Pantomimes * An eighth work which falls under “architectural works” was later added in 1990. What is unique about the United States copyright law is that it is automatic. Once someone has an idea and produces it in tangible form, the creator is the copyright holder and has the authority to enforce his exclusivity to it. In other words, the person is the owner of the creation. It is not necessary that a person register their work. However, it is recommended and it can serve as evidence if someone ever violates a copyright. It is interesting to note that when an employer hires an employee to produce a work that the copyright is given to the employer. Violations of US Copyright Law are generally enforced in a civil court setting. However, there could also be criminal sanctions brought against someone who violates US copyright law. Someone that is in serious violation of US Copyright Law such as counterfeiting can find themselves on the inside of prison looking out. People need to understand that the copyright symbol is not a requirement. Someone may have a copyright, yet their work may not have a copyright notice or symbol. US Copyright Law covers a wide range of things that are derived from artistic expression, intellectual or creative work. This includes things such as literary works, music, drawings, photographs, software, movies, choreographic works such as ballets and plays, poems, paintings and more. The law covers the form of expression, not the concept, facts or the actual idea of the work. This means that someone can use another person’s idea or concept and produce their own take on it. However, copying another person’s work is a violation. It should be noted that some things may not be copyrighted but they may be protected by a patent or trademark. Individuals who have a copyright on a particular piece of work can do with it what they will. They may choose to copy it and sell it. They may display their work or perform it in public and charge admission, or they can assign or sell the work to someone else. Individuals who have a copyright can also choose to do nothing with their work, if that is their desire. However, if someone comes along and takes the work and tries to use it in some way, that person is still in violation of the owner’s copyright. The Copyright Law Act covers published and unpublished work. |