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Frequently Asked Questions Below is a list of the most frequently
asked questions we get:
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Q
- Why shouldn't I just use a
free hosting service like Angelfire?
A - (See question
below as well) Many search engines no longer list or "index"
web pages that reside on some of the popular free web hosting
services. The reason for this is that they get too many
"junk" or low-quality site submissions from these free web
site domains. As a result, they often choose not to index anyone from
those domains. It's always best to get your own domain name and place
it on a respected, paid hosting service to avoid being discriminated
against by the search engines. If your web site is not listed in the
major search engines, no one will find your site.
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Q - What is the
benefit of having my own domain name?
A - There are a number of
benefits to having your own domain name. (See the above question for
information on search engine ranking) Your own domain name increases
your name recognition, makes it easy for your clients, business
associates and friends to remember your web address because you a have
shorter URL address (http://www.yourdomain.com)
and no annoying pop up banners like the free web sites. A URL on one
of these free sites will look something like this:
http://www.freebutannoyingbanners.com/users/~yourname
Other benefits include better search
engine placement and ranking. It also shows you are serious about the
Internet, allows for personalized email to name@yourdomain.com,
will prevent someone from registering a domain name that you might
want, and gives you the choice of where you want to host your web
site. Your own domain name is as important as a company logo or brand
name. Which would you prefer?
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Q - What is POP3
email?
A - POP3 (Post Office Protocol
3) is a simple incoming mail protocol that can be thought of as a
"store-and-forward" service. With POP3, your email is saved
in a mailbox on an email server, and is transferred to your email
client when you check it. Once they are downloaded, your email
messages are no longer maintained on the server unless you set your
browser to leave copies on the server. POP3 is the best choice when
you always read your email messages from the same computer, but is
somewhat inconvenient to those who need access to all of their
messages from many locations. When traveling you can use our WebMail
service from any computer connected to the internet. POP3 email
programs like Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc. are usually much
faster than using a WebMail interface. This is true for even big
companies like Yahoo!, MSN and Google who now offer free email
accounts using a web browser. You just can't beat the speed of a POP3
email client...
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Q - What is
AZRiver.com WebMail?
A - AZRiver.com's WebMail
service is a web based IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) email
system. This is a client-server protocol in which email is received
and held on our server (in a user account) similar to a POP3 email
account but can be accessed from any web browser on any computer in
the world so long as it is connected to the Internet. There is no
software setup required, just connect to the internet, point a web
browser to http://www.yourdomain.com/webmail/, login to the WebMail
service using your email username and password and you have
access to all email features including sending attachments like Word
documents, spreadsheets or pictures.
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Q - What is SSL?
A - SSL stands for Secure
Socket Layer, it is an industry-standard way of passing sensitive
information between computers. SSL is often used to securely transfer
credit card numbers and other sensitive information across the
Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is also referred to as Netscape
Encryption.
SSL binds a person's or a computer's
identity to a pair of electronic keys. These keys can be used to
encrypt and digitally "sign" information to prove its
authenticity. SSL and Digital IDs together provide a complete security
solution, assuring the identity of all parties involved in an online
transaction. Internet Explorer, Netscape and other popular web
browsers now offer 128 bit encryption, the highest level available in
the world for use on the Internet.
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Q - Can
I have a warez site on AZRiver.com?
A - No. "warez"
implies Illegal software distribution and is prohibited by Federal
Law.
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Q - How
do I upgrade my account?
A - To upgrade your hosting plan
or to add email or other services to your account, please use our
standard Inquiry Form.
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Q -
How come AZRiver is not an ISP?
A - Unlike most hosting
companies whose primary function is connecting people to the Internet
using dial-up modems, cable or DSL, etc, AZRiver.com is strictly a web
hosting service. Since we are not spending money on expensive modems
or other connection equipment, we can afford to
provide fast, reliable web hosting services at reasonable prices. If you live
in or near Mohave Valley, Arizona, there is an exceptional ISP
offering DSL and high-speed wireless internet access through
MohaveBroadband.com
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Q - Do
you offer telnet or shell access?
A - YES! Our hosting
plans come with one Telnet/SSH (Jail) account per domain. Telnet access can
be initiated right from your site control panel.
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Q - Can
I use my email account to send spam?
A - No. We define spam as mass,
unsolicited email messages (i.e. junk mail on the internet). Accounts
which send spam will be immediately terminated, and can be charged
with a "denial of services" crime and receive fines of up to $250 plus a
$10.00 processing fee per complaint received. So no spamming!
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Q - Can I
sub-host or put other web sites on my account?
A - Sub-hosting is prohibited on
all non-reseller hosting accounts. However, starting in January
2006, we will be offering reseller plans for webmasters or other
hosting companies who manage multiple domains. Any non-reseller web site found hosting other sites
without written or authorized approval will be subject to removal from
the server. Canonical or "Subdomains" of the primary account are not
considered to be sub-hosting. Please use
our inquiry form if you are
interested in becoming a web hosting reseller.
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Q - Can
I host a pornographic web site on AZRiver.com?
A - No. Although we
respect the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, and oppose
censorship of the internet, we have decided not to host sites which we
consider to be objectionable. There are a number of reasons. For one,
pornography draws too many viewers, too fast, and would adversely
affect the load times and functionality of our customers web sites;
and we want our site, and our customers sites to appeal to a more
diverse group of people.
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Q - What is a
cgi-bin directory? A - A cgi-bin directory is a
special folder for CGI programs. CGI programs are applications that
can be run on a server to interact with web browsers. They take input
from web page forms, manipulate that information, and print output
back to a web page. CGI programs allow you to do powerful useful
things with your Web site, from taking customers orders to playing
interactive games. Because these programs provide a gateway between your domain and a web visitors, they are referred to as Common
Gateway Interface (CGI) programs. CGI programs can be written in many
different programming languages, including C, C++, and PHP. The most
widely used CGI programming language used on the Internet is Perl.
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Q - Does
AZRiver.com provide any tech support?
A - We provide free email
and other web based tech support for all customers when there is a
problem with our server or one of the CPanel features. We also provide
detailed instructions and documentation for all aspects of your
account, from email and ftp to setting up scripts in the cg-bin. We do not
provide free webmaster training or tech support for issues unrelated
to the operation or use of our servers. For server related problems or
error messages, please email the
hostmaster or use our inquiry
form. If your tech support issue is not related to your
AZRiver.com hosting account, for instance, your computer or a program on your
computer is not functioning correctly, or you don't know how to setup
an email account, we suggest you
contact a third-party vendor that specializes in free computer/internet
tech support. We do offer non-server related tech support for a fee.
So if you need help building your web site, you can pay us to teach
you what you do not know. Phone support is available on a case by case
basis and only needed in rare circumstances.
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| Q -
Can I stream Audio or Video from my web site? A - Yes you can! Our servers are set up
to serve all the popular audio and video files in use today including
WAV, Real Audio/Video, MP3's, WMA, AVI and others. However, some older or
less functional browsers may require a plug-in to play them. Many
plug-ins are free, like Windows
Media Player and WinAmp;
and as always, we recommend you use the most up to date browser and
plug-ins for best results. You can edit the server MIME types file
from the site control panel if you have special streaming requirements.
NOTE: Streaming media can take up a lot of
bandwidth and disk space, please read our Terms
and Conditions before you attempt to stream audio or video from
your web site to make sure you won't be using too many resources for
the type of account you have.
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| Q - What
are my POP3 email and server settings? A - If you log into your domain control
panel (www.yourdomain.com/cpanel/) you can set up all the POP3 and
forwarding email accounts your hosting package allows. If you use
Outlook Express, you can even automatically configure it by clicking on
the appropriate link as shown below.
If you are using Netscape, Eudora or some other email
client, the following information is all you should need:
username (or account name): name@yourdomain.com
(use the whole email address)
password: whatever password you set up in
the control panel for that user or email account
Incoming mail server (POP3): mail.yourdomain.com
Outgoing mail server (SMTP): mail.yourdomain.com
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| Q - How do I use
my web site control panel? A
- The web site control panel allows a webmaster, site owner or
administrator to initiate services or make changes in the server settings
that effect hidden operations such as POP3 email accounts and/or FTP, etc.
for that web site. See control panel example below which may look
different than yours:
Some of the control panel options can
corrupt your web site if used improperly. DO NOT do anything until you
know what you are doing. Research the component before you start playing with the settings because we will only
fix it once for free, and then we are going to charge you for repairs.
AZRiver.com provides free email and instant messenger support for server and Control
Panel issues, but we do not offer free training on how to
use them. It is up to each site webmaster to learn about using all the features
available in your site control panel. Some features will only be activated
upon request.
Note for FrontPage users - By default, we
install FrontPage 2002 server extensions with every new account. The
"FrontPage Extensions" icon in the control panel is for removal
only, for those who do not wish to use FrontPage to author and maintain
their web pages. If you have a FrontPage web site and you use the
FrontPage button in your control panel you will corrupt the FrontPage server settings we installed by default; and we will have to
manually fix the files. If this occurs, please email
our
HostMaster for help. FrontPage 2002 server extension work with
FrontPage 2003 and all earlier versions. As of 12/19/06 Microsoft has not released a newer version
of the extensions.
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