Possible New Domain? Options

[Shiidou Hikaru]

I've run into a problem with the current hosting company that I am using that won't allow me to convert everything here over to the Invision forum that I have set up for us. There doesn't seem to be any give on their side, so I seem to be at a dead end. So one possible recourse is to move my domain to new hosting, but having done that once before I know how much of a pain that can be. I also have a lot of time left before the current contract expires, time that I would lose if I moved. So with those two considerations, I am entertaining the idea of getting another domain name just for this forum community (initially) that I would host with another outfit that I've found. Before going forward though, I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks about this idea. Also if there are any suggestions for what the domain name could be, that would be welcome too.

Hikaru-chan's Magic Knight Rayearth Message Board Haruka | Dynasty Kingdom

[Shiidou Hikaru]

The current hosting contract that I have now doesn't expire until June 2006, so the timing for a move couldn't be much worse. Right now that's what I'm considering doing, just a move rather than setting up a second domain. The hosting that I'm considering a move to has less restrictions than what I'm currently using.



Any web hosting service can be hacked like you say Shiro-san. A previous host that I had indeed was hacked and my site was down for 1 1/2 days. However, when they restored it, my site was completely unadulterated. There were no signs of any data loss, unlike what happened with Ezboard. It's sorely disappointing to know that the means and methods exist, but Ezboard failed to implement them. With a self hosted site, there is also an additional layer of protection. As the site owner, I can also perform my own backup and restore independant of the hosting company. Even if the worst happens and the host loses everything, I still retain copies on my pc at home. There's no excuse for what happened with Ezboard, none at all.



Your suggestions aren't strange Shiro-san. A forum can be password protected, even this one if I wanted to. Having password protection gives a better feeling of security and I think that people would possibly be more open with their discussions if they knew that the general public couldn't read them. However, there is a disadvantage to having password protection because it is a locked door. A new visitor would find the forum univiting and might be discouraged from joining. So I would be against making a forum as a whole password protected, but having protected sections for private discussion would be fine and is a good idea. Indeed there is such a section here, but it is rarely ever used. If you want me to let you in, I can do that Shiro-san.

Hikaru-chan's Magic Knight Rayearth Message Board Haruka | Dynasty Kingdom