I run a small web hosting company, and work with multiple data centres and software suppliers etc to deliver my products, one of which is OVH.

Been using a server with them for almost 4/5 months now and, while the server seems fine the technical support is terrible.

A month or so ago i added an extra 10GB network storage to the RPS which now found I don’t need, so hey why not save a few quid a month and ditch it right? … No…

I called them up to ask about getting it removed before i renewed the service and paid the last invoice, something I consider to be reasonable, expected a few minutes on the phone and it to be done, however apparently they can’t do downgrades…

And if i wanted to downgrade i should have done it within the first 7 days… and I agreed to it… sorry… what?!

For me to get an RPS server without the unneeded extra disk space I will have to order a NEW RPS and migrate everything over to the new one, now while I can move 1 of the 2 IPs on my current RPS over I would be unable to move the main one… the one I and my customers use for everything.

Now it is my understanding that the process of changing disk space allowance is simple, if i request a upgrade the system puts it through a tech sits there types in the commands to the network storage node and allows me more disk space. So logic dictates that the exact same system should work in reverse, they remove 10GB – end of.

I have now been forced to renew the service, and pay the extra few quid for unneeded, unwanted additional diskspace so as not to have to 1, loose an IP which is in use on multiple websites by many clients. 2, take a server which has been stable and online with NO issues for over 2 months offline disrupting many streams which support radio stations from bedroom operations to large commercial stations, dependant on them.

Not only did I find the outcome dis-satisfactory but also the technical support person on the phone was also, rude and unhelpful add on top of that he sounded like he was half asleep and mumbling does not equal good customer satisfaction.

When the person first answered, and I explained the issue, he mumbled about me emailing instead, to which I tend to think – Hell no, I’m paying for a service and you have phone support to get off your lazy arse and do it instead of trying to pass it off and delay me getting the information i need for another 12 hours – after I replied with “sorry? what.” he mumbles nevermind and spouts the spiel about how if i want a refund – which i don’t – it has to be done within 7 days of purchase. It appears OVH have no understanding that when your purchase addons etc you purchase them as a monthly product, as you do their servers, you pay for them on a monthly basis, and not as a buy and get locked in product, each item i pay for is monthly, and i should have the freedom to discontinue these monthly addons at will – WITHOUT having to completely reorder my server.

I can only conclude from my current experience with OVH is do not use them unless you are VERY experienced with servers, and require NO support with your products.

DO not use them if you are an end consumer, instead try a host which works with users – try XDnet Web Services

Okay so i unfortunately missed a day i have been doing a lot and yet didn’t have much to talk about.

Saturday i had a bit of a lazy day, i woke up at 11… and got out of bed at 5pm! One of the reasons i love my laptop. I didn’t waste the day In that time i signed up a friend as a reseller, setup his domain, gave him a demo etc as well as looking into alternative sources for shoutcast for my clients.

Of course i eventually had to get up for dinner, and then shot off to the radio station to co-host the Johnny Robinson Show with Rich and of course Johnny.

Poor guy having it tough at the moment with some problems, nothing i can really do so keeping my nose out, just wish i could help :-/…

Today i have been refreshed of my pure contempt of 1and1, they truly are crap. I set 3 domains to transfer for a client, it SHOULD be almost instant… still waiting… and waiting… and you get the picture. I find it unbelievable that this company is still going, the poor quality of service and support is disgusting. It sounds silly but i really wish i had a vast amount of money to buy them out and save their poor clients from sub par service!

I have to admit, it is one of my biggest pet hates big companies which can easily afford to provide good service, but seem to choose not to.

I feel awful at the moment also as have a terrible cold, so i’m rather groggy, as have a nose which is running faster than Kelly Holmes, headache, backache and feverish :p YAY flu!

Also waiting for a server to finish setting up and installing everything so i can see if it would be suitable for my shoutcast clients, which i hope it is.

This will enable me to have a HUGE amount of control over the accounts on offer, and should mean i can go a good deal for current customers, and i hope even cut their price

(ain’t i a nice host – go me!)

Also rediscovered the spice girls today, someone i was chatting to was listening to it and i ended up looking up some of their tracks, and listening to an old now (thats what i call music) album on my pc, forgot some of the good tracks from the 90′s lol.

I also feel old. I remember a time before DVD… there’s a whole generation of kids who dont have that :/…

Okay this is one of my all time BIGGEST pet hates!

It really bugs me when i go to a website and see something like send me an email to MyWebsite@hotmail.com or another free email service, using your domain as an email address makes your site look a lot more professional, and can increase user trust.

It isnt hard, and you dont have to change you email there are a few different options you can do, forwarders, email accounts and using email accounts and forwarders combined with your free email provider.

Forwarders:

Forwarders are very easy to set up, all you have to do is login to your cPanel, select forwarders enter a current email address and all mails is passed on (forwarded) to that account. EASY!

For a more detailed look at setting up email forwarders take a look at this article from the XDnet knowledge base: Setting Up Email Forwarders

Email Account:

This is simple, just create an email account and use it!

Nice and easy set up an email account find some email software you like and get going.

Learn more on how to create and email account

Learn more on configuring your software with your email account

Now many providers also enable you to both send email from hotmail which appears to come from forwarder, so when you set up a forwarder email, which directs mail to mywebsite@hotmail.com, you can recieve it but then also reply from you@mywebsite.com making you look all the more professional.

And for those of you would prefer your free email providers email interface, most will let you use your XDnet email account so you can send and receieve email from that.

Note: I will be writing a handful of tutorials on how to use XDnet services with your favourite free email providers and much much more, so check out the knowledge base!

It couldnt be easier! So please people. If you own a domain, USE IT, LOVE IT.

Thats right, i have finally found myself a reasonable domain reseller, so i can proudly say XDnet is now in the domains business, providing cheap domains.

XDnet can now provide no fewer than 40 differenent TLD’s!

Prices starting from just £9, however discounts and hosting/domain packages will be on the site soon, so look out!

I have also spent a while moding up the Domain Avaliblity Checker which now has added features, like select all, and loading notifications!

Also been moding and styling the XDnet Client Area so things are only getting better!

Ok i warn readers now this will be slightly a rant, but hopefully will also act as a warning.

Firstly i would like to explain a bit about HTTPS and to try and clear up some misunderstandings a lot of people seem to have about it.

HTTPS:// which stands for Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol Secure, which is a secure connection between you and the server. HTTPS is NOT a protocol in it’s self. HTTPS is exactly the same as HTTP except it has a extra layer of “security” called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). When comparing HTTP and HTTPS the only “physical” difference is HTTPS uses a different TCP port (usually 443) where as HTTP uses 80 (or 8080 depending on server set up).

SSL was developed by Netscape for you guessed it sending files and information via the web without nosy neighbors peeking. SSL uses a cryptographic key system. This system uses two keys which encrypt the data being sent, the first being the public key which surprisingly is known to every Tom, Chris and Rumpelstiltskin and then we have the Private key known only to the intended recipient of the data.

I have come acros quite a few people now who assume that because a web-page has “Secure” it means they information, often full credit card details, are secure for the short journey across cyber-space and the comfy stay in a little server on the side of the planet. However often what most do not understand is this is not the case, yes the information can not be easily sniffed or taped on its connection between you and the server, but it does not secure its safety when it reaches the server OR how the webmaster as well as every one who has access to the server (which is often a lot) do with that information.

Just because a server uses SSL (which any body with a website and a spare £15 ($30)ish can obtain, without any security checks for the website i might add, doesn’t mean the server can’t be hacked or even already hacked.

Dodgy webmaster, not only do you have to worry about your personal information being sniffed or viewed on transfer, while it’s sitting on the web server and hackers seeing it, But what about the actual website Administrator? what is he suddenly thinks hey, i have a database full of all the transaction details  i have sold naff to over the net…

Getting security certificates validated by browsers.

Now virtually all modern browsers are both SSL capable and show some type of alert if the incoming SSL certificate  is self signed or invalid.

I would like to make this perfectly clear, ANY webmaster can set up a secure connection for his/her website(s) and it will have EXACTLY THE SAME level of security as a certificate signed by a authority, the only difference being that many browsers have been told by the amazingly outrages persons who run these “cert authorities” that your site is OK!

Other wise your browser experience is hindered by warnings (especially with Internet explorer 7 who refuses to show the page unless you accept)

I hope this has been at least informative to some, i think its probably one of my more readable posts so far!

 Dan – Happy surfing