Choosing a server – VPS or Full Dedicated Server
February 25, 2010
Nowadays when it comes to web hosting there are so many choices in this field that people have a hard time on taking a decision about so many aspects. It is exactly the same thing that happens when it comes to choosing between a VPS (Virtual Private Server) and a dedicated server, while these two webhosting categories are very alike and confusion is unavoidable.
What are the major differences between VPS and dedicated server?
A VPS is a cheaper hosting method where numerous servers run on a solitary hardware installation assisted by virtualization software that runs on top of the machines’ OS. In contrast with traditional shared hosting, VPS permit users to have a separate OS and root access; therefore, even if there are multiple users on a similar server, all persons have their own personal settings. This solution offers hosting vendors access to deliver customer lower prices while they will not buy many server machines and the licensing costs will get lower, being charged on CPU number instead on users’ number.
The conventional method of hosting is the one using a dedicated server. This one still holds top position when it comes to web hosting. In this situation, each server runs on a separate hardware installation devoid of sharing resources with other servers. It means renting a personal server, which allows users a total control on it. It is best to use when it comes to large websites with higher amounts of traffic and information. In contrast to using a VPS, with a dedicated server you’ll not be sharing the bandwidth with nobody else, load time and upload time become better than on VPS, but this comes, of course, with higher costs than with the VPS.
The major question would be: What should I choose finally?
You should approach this issue with great caution while choosing a wrong method could mean a step-back in your business. When it comes to choosing between those two, analyze your needs, see how you are up with the traffic pattern and what volume of traffic your website supports daily. Price should not be the major factor if your traffic is on a high edge and growing constantly. On the other hand, choosing VPS would be a best choice if your website lacks high amounts of traffic while it offers all the functionality and protection needed.
Here are some features for both hosting methods apart:
Unique VPS features:
Easy setup
Each server works independently
Any software upgrade on a virtual server has no consequence on the others located on the same physical server
Each VPS has complete security and privacy
Lower costs
Unique Dedicated Hosting features:
Ability to run more advanced scripts
Dedicated bandwith
Faster CPU
Not sharing server with someone else
Domain names for beginners – choosing a web address
February 24, 2010
A good domain name plays a major role for a website’s usability and search engines results. Therefore, choosing an appropriate domain name is equal to promoting and branding a website even before it is launched online. Though almost all best domains already belong to someone else, if combined some good tactics with creativity and good linguistic knowledge fellows out there might discover that possibilities for choosing a high-quality domain are endless.
Either thinking about growing a blog and add some popularity to it, or build an identity for a company, choosing a domain name is essential for what future users are up to in the online environment. The World Wide Web is crawling with advice and tips on picking a domain name, they worth a mention though they require more essential details to be added.
If possible, these are five golden rules when choosing a domain name:
1. A domain name should be short – a longer domain name equals with higher possibilities for a potential visitor to misspell the address.
2. A domain name should be unforgettable and impressive
3. Must be easy to spell
4. Must be easy to pronounce – again, a name that shivers people when they pronounce it will definitely become a bad choose for website’s name
5. Always verify so that domain name is not getting into trouble with someone else’s trademark.
There are many possibilities to choose from, when thinking about a domain name. If a cash reserve is prepared for buying one, people could get a single-word domain, though finding a good one will cost a load of money; or they could try applying some other tactics that would allow finding out other domain name that suits their needs.
So, what are those other strategies? There are two types of domain names available out there: intuitive names and brandable names.
We should disseminate first the “intuitive”, rich with keywords domain names. An intuitive name might be found by an individual who doesn’t have a clue regarding a specific website but he’s doing a search on phrases/keywords linked to a particular subject and finds out that information he searched for is located on a website with a name related to those keywords typed. The best strategy for a discoverable domain name is to mix, tweak or create a phrase from 2, 3, maybe 4 keywords. The possibilities are infinite.
Second, there are the “brandable” domain names, like Twitter. Those establish an unique identity online for a website and suggest interesting and different ideas and feelings. It is harder to come up with a brandable domain name but once it is established people who know it can use only search engines to reach it or, of course, use the intuitive search, if the website holds a wide number of visitors and good SEO’d content.
In conclusion, domain names are not to be chosen by guess. Though this strategy might succeed for some people, that’s not a real option. Choosing a domain name means a deep analysis of what niche will be related to, what keywords will promote the website in search engines and, of course, a bit of creativeness.
T-Mobile and Orange merger will create the largest UK mobile phone company
February 22, 2010
Orange and T-Mobile merging plan can receive the approvals from European Commission next week. With an approximately number of 30 million customers and a market share touching 37% of UK’s mobile phone users, this would become the greatest UK mobile phone company if it does not face any challenges from the other two great UK operators: O2 and Vodafone.
European Commission’s decision to allow this merge despite the issues regarding how this merge will blow competition away is set to be released somewhere next week. According to EC officials, this resolution would solve the problems announced by Office of Fair Trading, Ofcom (telecom regulator) and legal disputes started by local competition Vodafone and O2.
Announced in September 2009 this merger was investigated by the OFT and it seems that 1 March will be the day when conclusions and concerns will be released by the organization.
There were two main concerns about this merging’s effect. First one it was about the smallest UK mobile phone company, 3, which is owned by Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong corporation. Last weekend it seems that 3 signed a deal with the two operators that will grant access to 3,000 mast sites in UK, reaching a grand total of 16,000 mast sites. Second concern was about the higher level of control over the wireless spectrum, so that the group would hold a substantial majority of the spectrum at 1800 MHz. This problems was also solved last week and the two operators decided to give back a quarter of the spectrum if they will receive the approvals for fusion.
Though things are not clear yet, we could assist in the future at one of the greatest merging seen lately, a combination between two of the greatest telecom operators in UK: the Orange UK, controlled by France Telecom and T-Mobile, which is owned by Deutsche Telekom. We should probably wait for tomorrow’s announcement made by OFT regarding this issue and stand by for some other legal disputes started by rivals Vodafone and O2.
Google admitted its Buzz service was not tested enough and they regret this
February 17, 2010
Google Buzz is a Gmail integrated service, launched February 9th, that lets to people the possibility to post and share content, read and comment buddies’ posts etc.
Since their launch, Google was hardly criticized for personal information disclosure. If you are not so familiarized with this service, see what the deal is: Google Buzz friends’ circle creator makes public your list with most emailed persons unless you change your settings. That means Google allows others Buzz’ users to see to whom you email more often.
The decision was based on the idea of providing a greater user experience to people using that service, but it seems it was a bad step taken by the company while revealing maybe connections between journalist and “rats”, business people, even affairs with other women.
Google admitted that they have not done this the good way so improvements are to be done, but all that they wanted was to create an easily accessible social network for Gmail users. More than that, they also consider offering to people that do not use Gmail the option to join a separate from Gmail website.
As you might know, Google services are tested by Google Trusted Tester program, a network created by friends and families of employees that gain access to products before being launched and than send feedback to Google. It seems that Buzz was not tested by this program, the reasons being unknown.
A Google representative admitted that the company apologizes for making this step without a deeper testing of this service and also apologizes for the worry created about this issue.
We should keep an eye on Google’s next moves while those can decide if the Buzz will be a success or a failure in Google’s plans for a bigger piece of social networking.
Here are some fixes announced to be done in a short time:
- Buzz will only make suggestions who could be a part from your friends’ circle
- Easier way to disable Buzz
- guarantee that accounts will not auto-connect with Picasa albums
- guarantee that accounts will not auto-connect with items stored in Google Reader
- an improved “preferences” menu
It seems that these improvements are up to be released this week, as the work involved in this issue is at higher levels.
1&1.CO.UK – Best web hosting company in UK?
February 17, 2010
1&1.co.uk
Brief Introduction
This company claims to be one of the fastest growing companies in the field of web hosting and that is evidenced by their customer base of over 9million and the fact that they are adding almost 2500 clients every day. These figures have been corroborated by independent studies conducted by Netcraft and are sure to give customers the confidence that this company is going to be in existence for a long time and are financially very stable.
They were one of the early starters more than a decade back to offer customers online state of art technological and telecommunication solutions. Customers even then could chat online and enjoy other interactive services.
The company went public in 1998 and has been rewarding its shareholders with decent returns.
Services offered
a) Web hosting
The company has categorised its offering into 5 categories such as Beginners, Home, Business, Business Pro and Professional. They are currently running a very attractive scheme across all categories wherein you can signup and not pay anything for the first three months.
The features offered include web space, domain registration, external domains, usage of the internet and online account management facilities. The extent of bandwidth, space and domains offered obviously differ depending upon the package chosen. It is least for the Beginner package and maximum for the Professional one.
b) Email
IMAP/POP3 accounts with a 2GB capacity and email aliases are provided with this service with the Business, Business 1 and Professional packages getting unlimited email aliases facilities.
c) Website building
Building your own website is now easy without the need for any programming. Moreover you can also blog, get access to RSS feed and even share your photos online when you choose any of the packages barring the Beginner one.
d) Ecommerce
The Easy Setup option allows you to launch your online shop very quickly and you will find it convenient to sell your products or services thanks to the integration with eBay. Moreover, you can also get access to Marketing tools and eShop Management facilities to help you control and review your business in a much better fashion.
e) Marketing tools
Customers keen to receive quick marketing feedback can choose this feature which will enable them to chat live with customers, send them email based marketing material and even get website statistics. This is available for those choosing the Home, Business, Business Pro and Professional packages.
Strengths
* Strong track record
* Customised packages for different categories of customers
* Robust data center and choice of servers to meet any customer requirement
Support Provided
* Email assistance
* Access to technical support 24×7
* Access to product information on phone
* Online account management with single log in
What customers have to say?
Customers feel that this company offers them good value for money and has an attitude that is customer focused. They also feel that they can present them selves very professionally to their clients using the packages provided by 1&1.
