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.

I have some numbers if anyone is interested in the finanicial side of this -



Hosting - 2500megs storage 35gb bandwidth - $48/year

Domain registration - $12.50/year

IPB license (must be paid regardless of whether we get a new domain or not) - $70/year (lease) or $185 one time (permanant).

Ezboard Gold Fee - $57/6 months if I had to pay it today.

I'm fine with the idea, if Invision can't support or won't support the conversion of this site to their own hosting.



That and I'm sure after a failure of preventing a hacker attack and a failure of restoration, many of us have lost trust in ezboard's hosting system, so it may be in our best interests to move to either whatever other host you may have found, or a lesser known, or newer hosting company.



Of course, we can't avoid a hacking attack if the hacker is skilled enough to hack the entire hosting system, or whatever else, but, and I'm not trying to sound like I'm distrusting of newcomers, it may be nice if we have a board that's password protected, if it's possible. I'm not sure how many people would agree with me, but this is just what I think.



...if my suggestions sound strange, it might be that I don't completely understand what's going on, or what the first post was saying, so if it seems that way, please explain. Thank you.



...and just a question, how much time remains before the current contract expires, and to whom was this contract made?

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.

I have a freind, Lordrea, who might be willing to host us, and even help with the transfer. And I know his rates are affordable. I'm hosted on one of his plans. you can e-mail him at lordrea@gmail.com. Be sure to tell him that Seraph referred you to him.

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

I've already got a new host in mind that I would move to, but if your friend has a site where I can look at his hosting plans I'll go and take a lookie. ^_^

uhh..I think he's still at dorkzville.com

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

I like this site. It's nicey-nice!
But, if we have to move in order to keep it going properly, I guess it'd be alright.

*Huggles Presea-chan*

This thread is really old now. It was an idea that I had to register a domain for the MKR forum so that we could move away from Ezboard. These issues have all been settled and I don't have any plans to move the forum to another domain anytime soon.

Oh! lol! Well, that's good! I'm glad we get to keep this site! Heh.