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Best iPhone app for WHM Admins

June 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the struggles with managing your own server is that users can call 24/7 with requests for password resets, bandwidth increases and a host of other issues.  Remote management tools are a necessity to ensure responsiveness as well as convenience.

In this article, we introduce the “best” app for managing Linux servers equippled with WHM/Cpanel.screen shots 004

Hands-down, iwebmanager provides the best interface to WHM.  It is built onn WHM’s API and enables management of almost all options.  We are using it seemlessly across three different servers and find elements of the user interface superior to the actual WHM web based application.

The screen to the right  shows the initial log-in which I’ve configured with an optional password.

Once logged in, you have access to whatever servers you previously configured.  Selecting a server provides an easy to navigate series of menus that provide faster access to specific commands that the cumbersome web counterpart.

screen shots 006screen shots 007screen shots 009

Filed Under: Server Admin Tagged With: , ,

WordPress 404 Error on Save or Update

April 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A relatively strange error encountered by some WordPress users is the generate of a file-not-found or 404 error when a particular post is saved or updated.  To the user, the error seems almost random and generally leads to speculation that one of the plugins and sprung a leak.

The problem, I found, is actually security settings on the server.  Mod Security or Mod Security 2 block certain phrases and links from being saved as a means to protect the server from hackers.

Apart from changing your content, the solution is to disable to specific rules that trigger the error.  If you are using Mod Security, then adding a single line to the .htaccess file in the root directory may work (source):

SecFilterEngine Off

In the case of Mod Security 2, you’ll have to contact your web host administrator for help.  if you ahve root access, the fix can be found here:

Open the file /usr/local/apache/conf/modsec2/whitelist.conf

Add the following:

<LocationMatch "/wp-admin/post.php">
SecRuleRemoveById 300015 300016 300017
</LocationMatch>

<LocationMatch "/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php">
SecRuleRemoveById 300015 300016 300017
</LocationMatch>

<LocationMatch "/wp-admin/page.php">
SecRuleRemoveById 300015 300016 300017
</LocationMatch>

Restart apache.

After running into a number of problems I implemented this second solution and it worked very well.

 

 

Filed Under: Technology, Wordpress Tagged With: , , , ,

Genesis Theme Framework

April 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The AdeptPlus.net blog has been redesigned using the Genesis Framework by Studiopress.

Filed Under: Themes, Wordpress Tagged With: ,

How to check Domain DNS Propagation and Update

April 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How to check Domain DNS Propagation You just updated your domain name’s DNS settings to point to a new server and are wondering how the update is proceeding.

Or, perhaps, you suspect something may be wrong. Your domain is not pointing at the right server or, even worse, is not longer resolving. Is the problem local or world wide?

Your registrar will tell you it takes up to 72 hours for new DNS settings to propagate and little else. However, there are ways to check propagation across the globe.

First, check out What’s My DNS. As you may have guessed from the image below, the service will show you DNS propagation in a sampling of DNS servers from around the world.

Second, the DNS Gateway is a great tool that let’s you check a sampling of additional servers from around the world.

Most of the time an update will go smoothly.  It is when a problem occurs that most people realize the difference between a low end and high quality registrar.

Filed Under: Domain Names Tagged With: , , ,

Realty Plug-in to Differentiate Your Site

May 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Imagine an easy way to dynamically insert MLS listings into your website without codes or hiring an html designer.  What if this method or plug-in could be re-configured by dragging and dropping widgets instead of re-coding your website?

Opportunities for developing highly customized realty websites have come along way and with the currently depressed economy there are new ways Realtors can differentiate themselves from the competition. One way is through dynamically publishing customer oriented listings through a WordPress Website.  WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System) used by high-tech Realtors to communicate timely information about neighborhoods, trends, market dynamics, and other knowledge that can be useful to potential buyers and sellers.

IDX has developed a free plug-in for WordPress that provides Realtors with an easy way to add integrated MLS search tools, custom neighborhood and community pages, email notification services and property listing widgets to a WordPress based site.

Filed Under: Plug-ins Tagged With: , ,

Buy your domain from the right company

May 22, 2010 By 1 Comment

You have a great name for your website. Now, there are two relatively easy steps before website development begins.  You will need to register a domain name and sign-up for an account with a web hosting service provider.

Registering a domain name is very similar to a yearly lease and is done through a registrar.  Because the domain is the way readers will find your site, it is very important that you retain control of it through time.  As your web site grows, gains links and readers, the value of the domain increases.  Lose your domain and a key element of your internet presence is shattered.

Choosing the right registrar is key. I recommend selecting an established company other than your webhost and, similarly, not using your registrar to host your site.  The reason is that if a dispute arises or if you decide to switch hosts it is much better for the domain to be your control and not the other party’s. Your registrar should be approved by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Many unapproved registrars offer deeply discounted domain names.  Don’t be swayed.  Each domain costs the registrars $6.25 so if you’re paying below this amount there is probably a catch.  Besides, the $2-$4 you might save this one year is meaningless compared to the investment you’ll make in your web site through time. Finally, do your own homework.  I’m not going to recommend one company but rather list several I’ve had a positive experiences with.

Enom is an ICANN-accredited registrar and has been a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Business since 2002.  Their interface is straight-forward, fast and reliable and I’ve never experienced a problem.  All of my business domains are registered through them. However, if you do not have the discounted reseller account, which I do, it can be very expensive to maintain your domain names.
www.godaddy.com GoDaddy is currently the largest ICANN-accredited registrar in the world and, in 2009 was voted “Best Registrar” for the 4th consecutive year.  I’ve had good experience with Godaddy although their interface is slow and check-outs have an annoying number of advertisements to click through.  However, their service is solid and they frequently send out coupons for discounts of up to 30%.

Get up to $900 in Free Software with 1&1 Hosting! 		1and1 provides discounted domain names and includes privacy guard free of charge ($8.99 per .com domain).  The latter add-on protects your name, address and phone number from being access through the public directory of domain names and costs up to $8.99/year at other registrars (such as Godaddy).  I find the control panel cumbersome and have found the turn-around time when changes are made fairly slow.  Consequently, I tend to register only personal domains with the company.
Namecheap is an enom reseller with a solid interface and a decent reputation.  My experience with the company has been limited but they have a reputation for reasonable prices ($9.60 per .com domain) and an easy interface.
Small Dotster Logo Although more expensive ($15.95 per .com domain), I found the companies interface and service to be reliable.
Filed Under: Domain Names, Web Publishing Tagged With: , ,

Before you begin write a mission statement

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Yes, the dreaded mission statement.  It really is not that bad and may be exactly what you need to set the strategic direction for your online presence or website.

So, before you begin, write a mission statement  listing the key objectives for your future (or current) website. Why should it exist?  What is it you want to accomplish and why is it important to your customers? What information, activities and services do your customers want that a website will satisfy?

If these questions are elusive then consider spending time examining competitor’s sites, talking to a few of your key customers and evaluating your reasons for going online.

If you have a business website that serves as an electronic business card this is a great opportunity to evaluate your web presence to determine if it satisfying your customers. I’m a great proponent of publishing more than a static description of goods and services.

After your mission statement is clear, every strategic decision that is made should align with you’re your your objectives, purpose and reason for building an online presence.

In developing this site I began with the following:

    Mission Statement:  I want to help my readers achieve business success through online technologies by publishing articles and reports that explain effective solutions to common problems, (2) enable more efficient operations and (3) provide strategic opportunities for growth.

As I develop both the content and design of AdeptPlus, I constantly refer back to this mission statement to ensure my direction and focus are on target.

Filed Under: Commentary, Planning Tagged With: , ,

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