Top > Hosting Package FAQ's
1. How much space is 200 MB?
2. What is bandwidth/data transfer?
3. What happens if I go over the monthly bandwidth allotment?
4. What is POP3?
5. What is FTP?
6. What are email aliases?
7. What is Email Forwarding?
8. What are Autoresponders?
9. What is a CGI-BIN?
10. What is MySQL?
11. What's the difference between subdomains and extra domains?
12. Do the extra domains have their own control panel, etc.?
13. Can I download my backups to my hard drive?
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1. How much space is 200 MB? top
200 MB is quite a bit of space. It's enough to run a substantial web business or storefront. Let's say your average web page, with images, is 20 Kb. This means you could have up to 10,000 pages. Of course, we realise that most websites don't have that many pages. So you have the room to put up a very good size site with plenty of room for scripts, etc.
2. What is bandwidth/data transfer? top
Data transfer occurs when your web site is accessed and looked at by somebody else on the Web. Data is transferred from a web server through the internet to the user's computer. The process requires the usage of computer resources and a portion of the internet pipeline, known as bandwidth. Data transfer is measured in megabytes.
Each time somebody accesses your web site, CPU and bandwidth resources are being utilized. In order to deliver your web site on demand in a prompt fashion, we have multiple connections to the internet and fast web servers. The major costs in providing this is web server costs and the internet connection. We base our prices on these factors in order to ensure fast connections.
Most web sites will have under 1000mb of data transfer, which will translate to under 1000-4000 visitors per month. Very popular sites will have in upwards of 2000-6000mb of data transfer and have thousands of visitors.
3. What happens if I go over the monthly bandwidth allotment? top
Host Me Pay Me monitors bandwidth usage closely. When you start to get close to your allotment (around 4 GB), you will recieve an email from our support department. This will allow you to purchase additional bandwidth BEFORE you run out. This insures uninterrupted service.
Exceeding monthly allotment can result in your account being suspended for either the duration of the month or until upgraded. However, this is a rare case. We strive to work with our customers to keep this from happening.
When your site gains in popularity, you can upgrade to plans allowing for high data transfer. Additional bandwidth is purchased in 5 GB blocks at a cost of $20.00.
4. What is POP3? top
POP3 mailboxes are like PO boxes for emails, the emails are stored there until you collect them. These are "private storage boxes" for e-mail. POPs can be assigned unique ids and passwords to ensure privacy.
You can easily set up email accounts and modify them through your Mission Critical Control Panel. To check your email, just use the mail program or browser of your choice ike Outlook Express, Eudora, or Netscape, etc.
5. What is FTP? top
The primary method for uploading files to your website is FTP. You can create multiple, private FTP accounts via your Mission Critical Control Panel.
Keep in mind that you have the ability to perform advanced administrative functions via this control panel. One of these functions is the ability to create FTP.
You may also choose to use a third party FTP manager, such as SmartFTP, CuteFTP or WSFTP. Any of those are inexpensive (SmartFTP is free) and simple to use.
6. What are email aliases? top
Email aliases are a means of directing email addresses on your domain name to specific people or departments.
Many people already have one or more email addresses, and the last thing they really want is another email address that they have to remember to check each day.
Email aliasing provides a simple and straightforward way of directing email to existing email addresses.
7. What is Email Forwarding? top
EMAIL FORWARDING -- If you have a large number of email addresses and don't want to check all of them separately email forwarding is the answer for you.
With the email forwarding feature, you can forward all your incoming email to another email address that you specify. This is similar to forwarding for your phone calls. You can easily set up your email forwarding or change it through your Mission Critical Control Panel.
8. What are Autoresponders? top
An autoresponder is a specific email address that has two functions. First, any user sending an email to that address will receive an automated response. This response is defined by you in your Mission Critical Control Panel.
Secondly, the original incoming message is forwarded to another specified email address. You can easily create an autoresponder and compose and edit your email response through your Mission Critical Control Panel.
Bear in mind that these are NOT sequential or personalized autoresponders. They send one message only. If you have a need for a more advanced autoresponder system, email our support department. We have a very good deal waitng for you . . .
9. What is a CGI-BIN? top
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts are small programs that run on the server to add interactivity to your site.
Your account comes with a fully-enabled, individual CGI-BIN for running both CGI and Perl scripts. With advanced scripting features like this, you can run tons of free web-programs. All accounts come with several pre-written scripts, available free for your use. These include a hit counter, guest book, mail form, shopping cart, discussion forum, and more!
10. What is MySQL? top
MySQL is a great database system for handling very large data sets. Many users report having tables that contain several hundred thousand, or million, records.
Many web applications or scripts require a database to function. The most common database on the web today is MySQL.
Examples of what you may need MySQL for: Forums, Autoresponder programs, shopping carts, mailing lists.
11. What's the difference between subdomains and extra domains? top
Quite simply - a subdomain would look like:
http://sub.domain.com
http://sub1.domain.com
http://sub2.domain.com
http://sub3.domain.com
It's adding a third level name to your domain. The top level is the .com, the second level is your domain name and the third level is your sub-domain.
Multi domain hosting would be the ability to host more than one domain name on one account:
http://www.domain1.com
http://www.domain2.com
http://www.domain3.com
12. Do the extra domains have their own control panel, etc.? top
No, they do not. You would manage your extra domains through your main control panel. Essentially, folders are set up in your control panel (subdomains), and the extra domains are redirected to them.
Each extra domain will have it's own cgi-bin for running scripts. All other resources, including overall space and bandwidth usage, are shared.
13. Can I download my backups to my hard drive? top
Yes.
Backups of your site and databases are completed daily. It is up to you to download them for safe keeping. This can be accomplished via your Control Panel.
You can download or upload your site and database(s) seperately.
It is recommended that you download your backups daily if you make frequent changes to your site, especially if you maintain mailing lists.
