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Copyright 2003Jupitermedia
  Most Popular Tutorials

• Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.

• Do It Yourself: Roll Your Own Network Cables
It may not be something you do everyday, but having the supplies and know-how to whip up a network cable on the spot can be very handy.

• Tips for Securing Your Home Router
Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.

  Most Popular Reviews

• Microsoft Windows Home Server
If you have a home network, you'll welcome the easy file sharing, remote access and the image-based backup features of Windows Home Server.

• Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive
Iomega's fourth generation StorCenter Network Hard Drive brings many of the features found in higher-end storage devices down to an attractive price.

• MikroTik's The Dude
This free tool delivers many of the same capabilities that you'd find in pricey network monitoring tools. As long as you don't mind tinkering, The Dude is a decent network utility that should be worth the download.


Introduction
What to look for
ISP Hosting  
Free Webhosting
Paid Webhosting
Do It Yourself
Changing Webhosts
Links
 
Dynamic DNS

No matter which hosting solution you choose, you should look for certain features from your Webhosting service provider.   This list is oriented toward a small business user.

  • Setup fee of no more than $50

  • No charge for registering your domain with InterNic

  • At least 5 mailboxes included.

  • Unlimited email forwarding.

  • At least 1GB of monthly traffic allowance

  • 24/7 toll-free phone tech support
    (Very important!)

  • Microsoft Front Page support

  • Good webserver log analysis reports

  • 30 day moneyback guarantee (they usually keep the setup fee, but refund any monthly service charges that you've paid).

If you are planning on accepting orders  or providing access to any databases via your Web site, then you'll want the following additional features:

  • Support for database access (usually ODBC)

  • SSL Encryption

  • Some sort of E-commerce package

  • CGI and/or Active Server Pages support


Can I get some help choosing?

This above list looks long, but it is possible to satisfy.  You just need to shop around! 

When you're shopping, you might want to check some of the webhost lists.   These sites list the Top 5, 10, or however many sites, using some criteria that they sometimes describe.  Make sure that you put your skeptical cap on when looking at these lists.  The sites have a lot of paid banners and buttons, and it can be difficult, to separate editorial content from advertising.  On any site you use, try to find the criteria that is used for selecting the "Top N" sites.

In the end it's your money, so choose well.  A good webhost is a wonderful partner.  A bad one can be pretty painful.  Believe me, because I've had two bad ones!

Web Hosting Lists

First, I'd try CNET's Web Services page.  CNET's editorial standards are pretty high and they clearly state their selection method for the Top 25 sites.  The site includes a Voting Booth where you can vote for your favorite (or not-so-favorite) webhost or look at the ranking based on how others have voted.
(At least part of this site used to the the Ultimate Web Host List site.)

TopHosts has another Top 25 list and a host database. No voting capability.

Hostindex bills itself as "the world's largest hosting directory".  Maybe that's so, but they're pretty vague on how sites get into their Top 25 list.  There's a simple Voting Booth, where you can vote for a webhost, but you can't directly see ratings for companies.  Their Web Host Guide was nicely done, and contains helpful information on the process of choosing a webhost.








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