Disclosure: I work for a very small ISP that offers hosting and domain registration.
Why go with one of the big corporations? All they want is your money. The smaller "mom-and-pop" providers and hosting companies are just as good, and possibly better then the big ones.
Our little ISP offers registration, domain privacy, web hosting, and email. Our hosting is mostly via FTP though we do have a simple control panel available. We offer support via email and phone.
We aren't the cheapest out there, but we are also not the most expensive.
Your hosting should be based on what you need first, then pricing. Just because someone is big and cheap doesn't mean they are good.
If you want to, check us out at http://www.netonecom.net/ We even still cater to dialup because our area is STILL mostly dialup because the big corporations don't think there is enough population density to change that.
Why not make a live boot CD that will reinstall the system for them.
I have used SuSeStudio to do that for remote managed server installs. First you create what you need in the studio, then make a installer disk from it, and then when they boot with that CD/USB it re-installs the OS for them, to exactly what you created. That way if they really, really, make a mess of things you can take them back to a clean slate. Also if you partition the drives properly, the same re-installer can leave their data intact (not wise in this case) while repairing any other damage. I would have it dump the homedir, but not the mailstore in this particular case. That way any damage will be gone, any infections will be neutralized and they will still have their old email (again maybe not so wise in this case).
You can use Studio to pre-install the modem drivers too. The only downside is that you will lose any updates each time they step back. You cuold get around this by creating a new version each year before you visit and just change it out each time. It might actually be easier if the choices for faster internet are not available, to reinstall from that new CD/USB each year when you get there. Show up, quick fix w/built in upgrades, enjoy the rest of the visit. Az
I live in a State that has a lot of dialup still. Yes, in the good ol' US of A there are places that still only have dialup.
My solution was a linux box, running gnome (you could use unity) and claws-mail. Then in claws-mail I set up a Filter that would execute an external script based on certain criteria. This would do what you want. With your yearly visits, you could do the system upgrades and other maintenance. Just turn off any auto-updates the distribution may have.
You haven't setup a new DSL connection in the last few years have you? You MUST install their Windows(TM) only, machine fucking, bloatware bullshit to run the absurdly stupid IE only ActiveX control to do a single HTTP POST to create a username and password. Even Bellsouth's COMMERCIAL business users have to go through this complete fucking bullshit. I had nothing nice to say to the Live Chat Customer Support minion when this was forced down my throat. Based on my experience, be ready to completely wipe and reinstall the machine used for this crap. As a side note, Norton AV will not let you install their crap.
You must? Interesting. I work for a DSL provider. I use linux to set up the modems we sent out. I have yet to NEED windows to configure any deal for a Verizon or AT&T area. I checked into the requirements for QWest as well. There is nothing stopping someone from setting up any of these without their CD. The CD is only a 'easy way' for a novice to do the with without having to learn anything.
I have a co-location in our data center that is used by a small private university as well. It is running software for online classes. They have no problems with their students using any 'modern' OS, like Linux, Mac OSX, or Windows XP or newer. As long as you have the newer more capable web browsers, and are willign to ask a few questions it isn't a problem.
Greetings,
Please keep reporting. I handle the abuse complaints for a regional ISP. We have never had an actual spammer on our network, but the reports have helped us clean up some very badly infested machines of our users. Since I receive about 50 of these complaints a week, with maybe 1 in 1000 being from our IP space, I have to agree that it is frustrating when people report to me, but the only mention of my IP or domain space is an obviously forged header. At least it is obvious to anyone who can read email headers. I will not respond to any report unless specificly asked, and even then it will be a short reply stating that it is either been dealt with, it is not our user, or that it is under investigation. No details are ever given out due to privacy.
We do not (yet) block port 25 by default, however we do rate restrict it, and monitor usage on a per-IP bases. We have been in business for over 13 years and due to that, management is not happy with having to contact our customers to get them to update their email client settings. We are setting up all new clients to use SMTP authentication and all helpdesk tickets dealing with email get them switched over as well. We figure that in another 1 maybe 1.5 years we will have everyone switched over and then we can block all port 25 access without causing too much disruption (Management's bigged fear).
I work in Michigan, and there are still areas that cannot get a better connection than the old 14.4 modems. This is because the major teleco's STILL have true monopolies here. There are Rural Carriers (different from Common Carriers) that do not have to open their networks, nor are they bound by most of the regulations that the Common Carriers (AT&T, Verison, etc) have to follow. When a simple PRI still costs the same in adjusted USD as they did in 1995 it makes it very hard for an ISP to offer anything there. No access for DSL, Dialup costs a fortune for the ISP, and the cities are small, there is one vity in Central Michigan that has 1, count them 1 dialup provider. Even teh Teleco (CenturyTel) does not provide dialup, or DSL in that area. Next comes Cable... The same area has one very monopolistic cable provider. Nobody is allowed to touch their network. They charge access fees nearly double than anywhere else in the country. These same Reps and Senators granted these companies, via the FCC, the ability to gouge the customer, ad now they are letting teh big ones get back into the game.
I work for an ISP and MANAGEMENT won't let us do these things. It has been suggested, it has been begged for, it has been proven that it is needed. Management still won't let us do it because they are afraid that the (l)user will just go elsewhere for service and we will lose that customer.
Currently, I personally call all users who have been caught with spyware/viruses and instruct them to 'clean up their system' by formatting, without backup, and reinstalling windows. I have one customer who has done this 15 time in the past 3 months! I have asked management to allow me to 'disable' their account until they certify that they machine is clean, up to date, and that they have procedures in place to keep it that way... the answer is 'No' and that if I do, I can find a new job.
Someone please come up with a way that won't drive off customers (Who are usually clueless anyway) and I will gladly hit management over the head with it so that we can get our users 'perpetually cleaned up'.
Windows Update isn't an option. We have WAY too many users who think that is M$ trying to hijack their systems.
I too work for an ISP. We require a judge's signature. These signatures are on file at the courthouse where they work as part of every official record in court. We simply contact the clerk of court in the proper location and have them fax over the complete court case as currently in record. Since it will ahve the judge's signature (noterized no less) we can then compare them. To date, we have received only one properly filed subpoena, sent to us bu the FBI on a jacking case that was later dismissed.
It is trivial to get the information you need to see if it is a lawyer subpoena or a Judicial subpoena. Judicial ones you should never ignore, and they should be your #1 priority. The lawyer subpoena (can't remember the proper term) are just requests for information by the opposing party's council trying to save time. These are hard to verify that they even come from a lawyer. The State Bar Association (all lawyers must be members) do not even keep copies of signatures on file.
Checked with my father (a lawyer) and confirmed that there is no way to prove they signed it, and that most probably have a secratery or legal assistant sign the documents just before sending them.
If the manufacturers are liable... wouldn't that make the MPAA and RIAA liable for crimes comitted "Because I saw/heard it on ____________" that they happen to have copyright on? They are the company of record for such things.
Lets see... How many people have comitted a crime... lets say carjacking... how many of those that did, did so after seeing "Gone in 60 Seconds" or any number of other MPAA protected movies? How about those that have murdered because they heard a song about it? The MPAA and RIAA aren't thinking about what the ramifications are to THEM. It is just yet more proof that they don't have a clue as to what happens in the real world.
Now, I'm all for P2P. Lets support the artists. Let us 'reasonably' support the middlemen who bring us the product, but these executives who seem to have an 18th century outlook on the world amd making millions per day, they need to go.
So... you think the Mormon church is not a political body?
Take it from someone who grew up on the edges of the church's power base in SW Wyoming. If you weren't a member of the church you were less than human. They may not take a direct role in government, if they did they would lose their non-profit and religious standings which would really create havoc. No, they work in the back rooms, they go door to door using members as fronts. The mormon church is like the Mob. They claim one thing, then behind the scenes, do another.
I know what they church says, I know what they do. If it were in my power, I would abolish the Mormon Church's status as a non-profit and religious organization and label them a political body, because that is what they really are. They claim to revere God, yet the actions of the church as a whole say they revere control, power, and money. I have seen it.
NAT won't help (much). I run an IRC Network and see these zombies, many behind NAT routers, try to use my network as homes. They get banned as fast as we can when they show up.
Recently (within the past year) many of the IRC networks have started banding together via a mailing list to discuss, warn, and attpemt to stop these nets. If you would like more information just google for "fizzer task force".
Slashdot Mirror
Disclosure: I work for a very small ISP that offers hosting and domain registration.
Why go with one of the big corporations? All they want is your money. The smaller "mom-and-pop" providers and hosting companies are just as good, and possibly better then the big ones.
Our little ISP offers registration, domain privacy, web hosting, and email. Our hosting is mostly via FTP though we do have a simple control panel available. We offer support via email and phone.
We aren't the cheapest out there, but we are also not the most expensive.
Your hosting should be based on what you need first, then pricing. Just because someone is big and cheap doesn't mean they are good.
If you want to, check us out at http://www.netonecom.net/ We even still cater to dialup because our area is STILL mostly dialup because the big corporations don't think there is enough population density to change that.
az
IRC is not a FORUM. That is something different. It is a real-time chat, not a place to post messages.
Who is editing this crap? Some intern that hasn't used a computer?
Wow...fist post too!
Why not make a live boot CD that will reinstall the system for them.
I have used SuSeStudio to do that for remote managed server installs. First you create what you need in the studio, then make a installer disk from it, and then when they boot with that CD/USB it re-installs the OS for them, to exactly what you created. That way if they really, really, make a mess of things you can take them back to a clean slate. Also if you partition the drives properly, the same re-installer can leave their data intact (not wise in this case) while repairing any other damage. I would have it dump the homedir, but not the mailstore in this particular case. That way any damage will be gone, any infections will be neutralized and they will still have their old email (again maybe not so wise in this case).
You can use Studio to pre-install the modem drivers too. The only downside is that you will lose any updates each time they step back. You cuold get around this by creating a new version each year before you visit and just change it out each time. It might actually be easier if the choices for faster internet are not available, to reinstall from that new CD/USB each year when you get there. Show up, quick fix w/built in upgrades, enjoy the rest of the visit.
Az
I live in a State that has a lot of dialup still. Yes, in the good ol' US of A there are places that still only have dialup.
My solution was a linux box, running gnome (you could use unity) and claws-mail. Then in claws-mail I set up a Filter that would execute an external script based on certain criteria. This would do what you want. With your yearly visits, you could do the system upgrades and other maintenance. Just turn off any auto-updates the distribution may have.
You must? Interesting. I work for a DSL provider. I use linux to set up the modems we sent out. I have yet to NEED windows to configure any deal for a Verizon or AT&T area. I checked into the requirements for QWest as well. There is nothing stopping someone from setting up any of these without their CD. The CD is only a 'easy way' for a novice to do the with without having to learn anything.
I have a co-location in our data center that is used by a small private university as well. It is running software for online classes. They have no problems with their students using any 'modern' OS, like Linux, Mac OSX, or Windows XP or newer. As long as you have the newer more capable web browsers, and are willign to ask a few questions it isn't a problem.
I believe Orbits will have better deals on this one.
Greetings,
Please keep reporting. I handle the abuse complaints for a regional ISP. We have never had an actual spammer on our network, but the reports have helped us clean up some very badly infested machines of our users. Since I receive about 50 of these complaints a week, with maybe 1 in 1000 being from our IP space, I have to agree that it is frustrating when people report to me, but the only mention of my IP or domain space is an obviously forged header. At least it is obvious to anyone who can read email headers. I will not respond to any report unless specificly asked, and even then it will be a short reply stating that it is either been dealt with, it is not our user, or that it is under investigation. No details are ever given out due to privacy.
We do not (yet) block port 25 by default, however we do rate restrict it, and monitor usage on a per-IP bases. We have been in business for over 13 years and due to that, management is not happy with having to contact our customers to get them to update their email client settings. We are setting up all new clients to use SMTP authentication and all helpdesk tickets dealing with email get them switched over as well. We figure that in another 1 maybe 1.5 years we will have everyone switched over and then we can block all port 25 access without causing too much disruption (Management's bigged fear).
I work in Michigan, and there are still areas that cannot get a better connection than the old 14.4 modems. This is because the major teleco's STILL have true monopolies here. There are Rural Carriers (different from Common Carriers) that do not have to open their networks, nor are they bound by most of the regulations that the Common Carriers (AT&T, Verison, etc) have to follow. When a simple PRI still costs the same in adjusted USD as they did in 1995 it makes it very hard for an ISP to offer anything there. No access for DSL, Dialup costs a fortune for the ISP, and the cities are small, there is one vity in Central Michigan that has 1, count them 1 dialup provider. Even teh Teleco (CenturyTel) does not provide dialup, or DSL in that area. Next comes Cable... The same area has one very monopolistic cable provider. Nobody is allowed to touch their network. They charge access fees nearly double than anywhere else in the country. These same Reps and Senators granted these companies, via the FCC, the ability to gouge the customer, ad now they are letting teh big ones get back into the game.
I work for an ISP and MANAGEMENT won't let us do these things. It has been suggested, it has been begged for, it has been proven that it is needed. Management still won't let us do it because they are afraid that the (l)user will just go elsewhere for service and we will lose that customer.
Currently, I personally call all users who have been caught with spyware/viruses and instruct them to 'clean up their system' by formatting, without backup, and reinstalling windows. I have one customer who has done this 15 time in the past 3 months! I have asked management to allow me to 'disable' their account until they certify that they machine is clean, up to date, and that they have procedures in place to keep it that way... the answer is 'No' and that if I do, I can find a new job.
Someone please come up with a way that won't drive off customers (Who are usually clueless anyway) and I will gladly hit management over the head with it so that we can get our users 'perpetually cleaned up'.
Windows Update isn't an option. We have WAY too many users who think that is M$ trying to hijack their systems.
I too work for an ISP. We require a judge's signature. These signatures are on file at the courthouse where they work as part of every official record in court. We simply contact the clerk of court in the proper location and have them fax over the complete court case as currently in record. Since it will ahve the judge's signature (noterized no less) we can then compare them. To date, we have received only one properly filed subpoena, sent to us bu the FBI on a jacking case that was later dismissed.
It is trivial to get the information you need to see if it is a lawyer subpoena or a Judicial subpoena. Judicial ones you should never ignore, and they should be your #1 priority. The lawyer subpoena (can't remember the proper term) are just requests for information by the opposing party's council trying to save time. These are hard to verify that they even come from a lawyer. The State Bar Association (all lawyers must be members) do not even keep copies of signatures on file.
Checked with my father (a lawyer) and confirmed that there is no way to prove they signed it, and that most probably have a secratery or legal assistant sign the documents just before sending them.
A. Zander
If the manufacturers are liable... wouldn't that make the MPAA and RIAA liable for crimes comitted "Because I saw/heard it on ____________" that they happen to have copyright on? They are the company of record for such things.
Lets see... How many people have comitted a crime... lets say carjacking... how many of those that did, did so after seeing "Gone in 60 Seconds" or any number of other MPAA protected movies? How about those that have murdered because they heard a song about it? The MPAA and RIAA aren't thinking about what the ramifications are to THEM. It is just yet more proof that they don't have a clue as to what happens in the real world.
Now, I'm all for P2P. Lets support the artists. Let us 'reasonably' support the middlemen who bring us the product, but these executives who seem to have an 18th century outlook on the world amd making millions per day, they need to go.
So... you think the Mormon church is not a political body?
Take it from someone who grew up on the edges of the church's power base in SW Wyoming. If you weren't a member of the church you were less than human. They may not take a direct role in government, if they did they would lose their non-profit and religious standings which would really create havoc. No, they work in the back rooms, they go door to door using members as fronts. The mormon church is like the Mob. They claim one thing, then behind the scenes, do another.
I know what they church says, I know what they do. If it were in my power, I would abolish the Mormon Church's status as a non-profit and religious organization and label them a political body, because that is what they really are. They claim to revere God, yet the actions of the church as a whole say they revere control, power, and money. I have seen it.
NAT won't help (much). I run an IRC Network and see these zombies, many behind NAT routers, try to use my network as homes. They get banned as fast as we can when they show up.
Recently (within the past year) many of the IRC networks have started banding together via a mailing list to discuss, warn, and attpemt to stop these nets. If you would like more information just google for "fizzer task force".