Create Symlink When Setting Up Drupal Multi-site Feature

Installing one Drupal instance and have it serve for multiple web site is a very attractive feature for most of the webmaster. But, to set it up in the real world always takes you more effort then you have thought, and one of the key reason is that in Drupal official site, they have not mentioned a very important step to create symlink during the installation which make you cannot make one Drupal installation work for multiple sites.

But why you need to create symlink? Below are the reason for it.

When you setup an add-on domain in a web host, this add-on domain will point to a sub-folder which is usually different with where Drupal is installed.

In this case, when you visit the add-on domain, Drupal will not be active since it hasn’t got the control to handle the URL request. So, in order to configure the multi-sites feature in Drupal, one of the key steps is to make sure all the domains point to the same directory as where Drupal is installed. When there is a request to the web site, they will be directed to Drupal, and Drupal will know how to launch a web site based on the configure information in its own system.

In a shared linux hosting environment, the add-on domain will be setup to a sub-folder automatically by the system. In order to have it point to the Drupal folder, you will have to create symlink during it. Below are the steps you can follow:
Remove the sub-folder system has created for add-on domain.
Create a symlink to the Drupal folder with a name the same as the sub-folder system has created

After above operation, you will have all the domain point to the directory Drupal, and then your multi-site Drupal will be able to work properly.

By: Sean.Ray

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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Free Address Web Hosting – What You Should Know About

Free address web hosting is a type of free service that will give you free hosting. This by far is the most popular free web hosting you can find on market. You can host your website for free at their server but your domain must be a sub-domain from their main domain. For example, if your user name is “xyz”, then your website address will be “xyz.freehosting.com”. Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages from using this type of hosting.

1. First Chance To Experience Real Life Website

Free hosting service will give you a first chance to experience a real life website. You might have some design previously that you have created during your spare time. But you haven’t had a chance to publish your website online. Free hosting company will give you that experience without incurring cost at all. You can experiments with various features such as PHP, MySql and so on.

2. Additional Income

If you are persistent you can also get additional incomes using free hosting service that you can use later on to buy more advanced hosting package. Some idea for example you can apply to Google Adsense program and generate few bucks in a couple of hours.

3. Credibility Issue

However, free web hosting service can create some credibility issue since the domain name of your website is a sub-domain of the hosting company. There are few free hosting companies that will allow you to host your domain at their server. This will require you to do some research to determine the best company that can fulfill your expectation.

4. Technical Support

Technical support also is a growing issue from free hosting company. Generally, free address web hosting company has a very lousy technical support. You should check it yourself whether the technical support of the free hosting company fulfills your expectation or not.

By: Andrew Carmiel

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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10 Domain Name Tips – That Can Make You Money

There are certain things you will need to take into consideration when selecting the right kind of domain name for your online business. It is important that the name you select is one which will clearly mark you out against your competitors if you want to make money from it. Below we offer 10 domain name tips that can make you money online and which will help when it comes to selecting the right one for your online business.
Tip 1 – It is important that the domain name you choose is not only keyword rich but is also something that reflects the product or service you are offering. So if you provide detailed maps of Europe a domain name such as euromaps.com or if you sell unusual cheeses then something like the weirdcheese.com would be useful.
Tip 2 – When buying domain names either go for those that are either existing or expired. Generally the older the domain name the much higher it will rank in the pages of search engines such as Google. When searching for domain names chose those that are around at least one year old. The best way of checking the domains as to whether their page ranking is forged or not use a site like checkpageranking.com.
Tip 3 – It is important that you choose a top level domain name (TLD). So ideally look for those that end in .com, .net, .info or .org. However, if you are trying to get domain names for a specific country say the UK then aim for those that end in .co.uk.
Tip 4 – Before you purchase any TLD’s make sure that they are all available first. Although there are plenty of services you can use to do this they do cost, but it is worth the investment. Otherwise you may be faced with issues relating to the validity of your purchase later on.
Tip 5 – If you can when purchasing your domain name make sure that you do so for a period of no less than 10 years. Again those which have been purchased for extended periods of time will rank higher on Google than those that are purchased for only a year or so.
Tip 6 – The domain names you select should be ones that are short and which visitors to your site will remember easily. These types of domain names will help to get visitors to your site returning time after time.
Tip 7 – It is preferable if you avoid domain names that include hyphens in them. However, if you are finding it difficult to get such domain names then go for those with as few hyphens as possible in them. It is best if you have to have hyphens in your domain name only have one as any more than this as the search engines will penalize you for it.
Tip 8 – Never go with domain names relating to an existing brand or trademark as you will have too many other businesses to compete with. So the chances of getting those visitors you want to your site and therefore make money is greatly reduced.
Tip 9 – All domain names should have either numbers, letters or hyphens in them and never any spaces. As with too many hyphens spaces in domain names will cause the search engines like Google to penalize it.
Tip 10 – When purchasing and parking domain names make sure that you use the same registrar. Not only does it make it easier for you to update your contact details but also when it comes to renewing them. Once you have found a registrar you can trust ensure that you do keep all contact information updated especially your email address. Otherwise when it comes to being informed of the domains renewal you won’t be given the information.
Above we have shown you 10 domain name tips that can make you money online. The better your domain name the more visitors you will get visiting your site and so the chances of you actually making some sales from the are greatly increased. If you keep the above 10 domain name tips that can make you money online in mind you cannot go far wrong with selecting the ones that are right for you.

By: Dr. Kang-pang Chan

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Web Sites, Domain Names, And Name Servers (what’s Dns All About?)…

I explain Domain Name Servers and Name Servers to a friend of mine all the time. He builds web sites part time. I know he’s not alone; DNS confuses a lot of people.

The internet works by assigning an address to each device attached to it. This address is called an Internet Protocol Address or IP Address for short. It’s a 32 bit number that’s commonly written as 4 segments or octets (called an octet because each 4th is 8 bits) such as 10.10.1.1 or 216.54.217.22. Each octet can range between 0 and 255. This address works just like your street address: a packet (a chunk of communication between two devices) leaving your computer and heading for Google moves through devices call routers that route traffic on the internet. The router looks at the destination IP Address and knows which way to send the packet. Just like a letter moves through various post offices and delivery vehicles (mail man, mail trucks, airplanes, etc.) your little packet of internet traffic moves across various communication channels (phone lines, cable lines, fiber, etc.) and providers (UUNet, Cogent, Level3, Time-Warner, AT&T, Sprint, AboveNet, etc.). It finally arrives at its destination and is processed and a return packet is sent back… in just the same way, it finds its way back based on your IP Address.

The Internet would be pretty hard to use if you had to remember all those IP Addresses when you wanted to visit a web page, so a naming scheme is used that allows you to enter a name that is easy to remember instead of a sequence of numbers. So, how does your computer get the IP Address of a web site when you type in the name? That’s where Domain Name Servers do their job.

Name Servers. A Name Server holds the information that relates the IP Addresses for a web site to the names used to access that web site. If you want to have a web site with a domain name, you have to register or purchase (more like rent) the domain name from a service call a registrar. When I registered the domain name for my web site, I told the registrar what Name Server I was using, Most people will use the Name Servers provided by their hosting facility (where they rent the server space for their web site). That Name Server is configured to have a “zone” for my domain and that zone contains records that relate a name to an IP address, this is called an “A Record”. An “MX Record” is used to identify the mail server for that zone, for example, I have an “A Record” for my domain that points to the IP address of the web server, and the “MX Record” points to the mail server for my domain. These may or may not be on the same server. When someone sends me email, their mail server will request the Name Server for my domain and will get it’s IP Address, then it can request the MX Record and get it’s IP Address, and then it can send packets of mail to the mail server for my domain.

Domain Name Servers. A Domain Name Server stores the domain names and associated IP Addresses for a period of time.

This is stored or cached on a server called a Domain Name Server, or DNS server for short. If the time specified for caching a domain name / IP Address relationship has passed the DNS server will remove it from its cache. When a request for an IP Address is made, and the DNS server does not have that address in its cache, the DNS Server will make a request to a set of special servers on the internet that hold the addresses for all the Name Servers and which domain names each one controls. It can then send a request to the name server for that domain to get the IP Address for the domain name and return it to the computer or device making the original request. All Internet Providers have several DNS servers and as you browse the internet your computer is constantly sending requests to these DNS servers to get (or resolve) IP Addresses for the domain names you type in or links you click on.

A web site’s name to address relationships are stored on Name Servers, as you browse the Internet, DNS servers either provide the address back to your computer from cache, or, look up the Name Server for your domain and then gets the correct Name Server to get the IP Address.

Now you too understand DNS and Name Servers!

By: Fred Black -

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Fred Black is an experienced web developer offering instructional videos at www.WebSiteTrainingOnline.com, An Introduction to Creating Web Sites.

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Advantages And Disadvantages To Using Mysql Vs. Ms Sql

Two of the most popular database systems used by web developers today are MySQL and Microsoft’s MS SQL server. Both are similar in regards to being storage and retrieval systems. The two systems support primary keys, along with key indices which allow you to speed up queries and constrain input. Furthermore, both systems offer some form of support for XML.

Apart from price, which is the obvious difference, what distinguishes these two systems, and which one is right for you? We’ll overview both products, point out the major differences and explain the advantages and disadvantages of using them for your business.

Open-source vs. Proprietary

When it comes to these two databases, the differences begin with the open-source nature of MySQL vs. the closed, proprietary structure of the SQL Server. MySQL is an extensible, open storage database engine, offering multiple variations such as Berkeley DB, InnoDB, Heap and MyISAM. On the other hand, with the Microsoft product, you are limited to a Sybase-derived engine through both the good and bad times.

When considering how MySQL integrates seamlessly with a number of programming languages and other web-based technologies, it certainly has the advantage over MS SQL in the way of compatibility, as the SQL Server is known to work better with other Microsoft products.

Licensing

Contrary to popular belief, the MySQL system isn’t always free. On the other hand, it is always more affordable. In regard to both products, licensing fees are based on a two-tiered scheme. With MS SQL, the best way to obtain a developer’s license is to buy a license for the Microsoft Developer or Microsoft Visual Studio suite. Both provide you with a free SQL Server license for development use. If you want to use the product in a commercial environment, you need to at least purchase the SQL Server Standard Edition – which could set you back over $1,000 for a few client connections.

Because MySQL is an open-source system under the GNU General Public License, developers can use it at no cost as long as the associated projects are also open-source. However, if you intend to sell your software as a proprietary product, you would need to purchase a commercial license, which costs about $400 for up to nine clients. Depending on the project and your funds, MySQL may have the advantage here.

Technical Differences

The open-source vs. proprietary battle alone is a leading cause why some users choose one system over the other. However, there are a few differences from a technical aspect as well.

For instance, MySQL doesn’t offer full support for foreign keys, meaning it doesn’t have all the relational features of MS SQL, which is considered a complete relational database. Some versions of MySQL also lack full support for stored procedures – the biggest disadvantage being the MyISAM system, which doesn’t support transactions.

Performance

In the way of performance, MySQL is the clear leader, mainly due to the format of its default table, MyISAM. MyISAM databases leave a small footprint using little disk space, memory and CPU. While the system runs on the Windows platform without flaw, it tends to perform better on Linux and other UNIX-like systems. Because of its stability, many internet powerhouses such as Yahoo! use MySQL as their back-end database.

When it comes to performance, MS SQL’s strength of being packed with more features than other systems is perhaps its biggest disadvantage. Although most of these features are designed for performance tuning, they tend to sacrifice other essential elements. The cost here is complexity and the hogging of resources in the way of storage and memory, which leads to poorer performance. If you lack the knowledge and sufficient hardware to support an SQL server, you would be better off with another database management system.

Security

These two database systems are pretty much deadlocked in regards to security. Both come with adequate security mechanisms by default, bearing you follow the directions and keep the software updated with security patches. Both operate over known IP ports which unfortunately attracts a wealth of intruders, a downside that can be attributed to both products. The good thing is that MySQL and MS SQL allow you to change ports just in case the default becomes too vulnerable.

Recovery

As far as recovery goes, the SQL Server has a definite advantage over MySQL, which tends to fall a little short with its MyISAM configuration. A UPS system is mandatory with MyISAM as it assumes uninterrupted operation. If a power outage should occur, it could result in the corruption and loss of critical data. With the SQL Server, data corruption is more unlikely. The data travels through various checkpoints while passing from your keyboard to the hard disk and through the monitor. Additionally, the SQL Server keeps track of the process, even if the system unexpectedly shuts down.

The Best Choice

As you can see, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. From our perspective, any product that allows you to be efficient is a good database; anything other than that isn’t worthy of your time and frustration. When it comes to MySQL and MS SQL, the decision all boils down to the situation and most importantly, what you’re looking to accomplish.

By: Mike Jewson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mike Jewson is a Network Engineer with “CyberLynk.net”. You can learn more about “Web Hosting” services online at www.CyberLynk.net

2008 CyberLynk www.CyberLynk.net You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the “Author Biography”).

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How To Move To A New Web Hosting Provider

There are two things that can go seriously wrong when you move to a new web hosting provider. Follow this simple guide to doing it all without too many dramas.

A normal move to a new hosting provider can mean huge losses to your business if things aren’t done correctly. Specifically:

1. Your new web site doesn’t “behave” the way it should.

2. Your email goes “missing” for several days

SETTING UP THE NEW SERVER

Setting up the new server correctly easily solves the first problem.

Set up the new server with your existing/main domain name details (but do NOT change the DNS settings – yet).

Once the server is set up, you can then PARK another/spare domain name at the same server.

For example, most servers with cPanel allow you to easily park one – or more – domains on top of an existing one. If you don’t happen to have a spare/unused domain name you can use for this purpose, it won’t cost much to register a new .com just for this purpose.

Now, make sure that the DNS information for the PARKED domain at your domain name registry points to the new server.

Once you can see your web site under the parrkeddomainname.com address in your web browser, FULLY TEST IT to make sure all the interactive routines – i.e. search routines, contact forms, forums, feeds, etc., work as they should.

Once you are 100% certain that it works properly, AND you’ve got your email sorted out (see next bit) then you can organize to have the DNS for your main domain name changed to point to the new server.

BIG TIP: Make a small change to the NEW home page so you can easily tell which site (old or new) you are looking at in your web browser. When you can see the change, it means your DNS has been updated.

DON’T LOSE ANY EMAIL

The problem with a DNS change is that it can take some time to go through – up to 72 hours or even longer for it to propagate across the whole Internet.

During that time, some of your customers will be seeing the OLD version of your site, and if they send you email, it can be delivered to the OLD server.

And you might not be able to check it because your ISP has updated the DNS and you can only see the new server.

AT THE OLD SERVER, simply set up a FORWARD or REDIRECTION to send all your mail to your existing ISP email account, or perhaps even a new Hotmail type address.

For the final time, in Outlook (or whatever email client you use) click on Send/Receive to get any mail that might be waiting on the old server. After this new email (to your old server) will come in through your ISP email box.

Next, set up your email accounts AT THE NEW SERVER. You should ALSO set up redirects here to send any mail it receives to your ISP address. That way, if you’re unlucky and your DNS takes forever to propagate, you will still get your new email.

Finally, when you are all ready to go, lodge the DNS change with your domain name registrar to point your main domain to the new server.

WHILE THE DNS IS UPDATING

If everything’s been set up correctly, then while the DNS is updating, several things will happen:

1. Any email being sent to the old server will be redirected to your ISP email address.

2. Any email that’s sent to the NEW server is ALSO being redirected to your ISP address, so you won’t lose any email during this period.

3. Your email client should keep checking the old server until the DNS change goes through. When that happens, it will most likely display an “unable to connect” error message.

4. Now, check to make sure you can see your new server in your web browser.

5. If you can, then change your email settings to the new server settings and check it works both sending and receiving.

6. Now remove the redirections from the new server.

Finally, in about another week or so, contact your OLD hosting provider and CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT. It’s an important step, but so many people forget to do it, until they get re-billed for another month (and lot’s of luck trying to get a refund).

By: workathome

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Araceli Molina is the owner and creator of www.workathomeresources.org/ where you can find a complete selection of free ebooks, tools, utilities, articles and home bussiness ideas.

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Google Apps – What It Is And Why You Might Just Have To Use It!

Increasingly, hosting providers, especially free ones, are strongly encouraging their users to use Google Apps for managing their email. This is generally because the provider wants to reduce the processing overhead involved in running POP accounts and save on the disk space involved in storing mailboxes.

Generally speaking, it is true to say that using Google Apps gives much better performance than a small to medium sized host and you can usually tell when a host wants its users to go the GoogleApps route by the type of email support it offers.

If the host offers the sort of POP support where you can create separate email accounts – for example, admin@yoursite.com or fred@yoursite.com – then it is probably safe to say that you can expect a reasonably good email service. However, if your hosting account includes a single ‘catch-all’ email account then, even if you can access it through an email client, the chances are that you would be better off using Google Apps.

There are other email solutions out there but they often have a cost attached or do not offer the full functionality that Google Apps does.

Google Apps is actually much more than just email but I suspect that the majority of users do use it just for that. With a basic, out-of-the-box, Google Apps account you can:

– Add up to 100 user accounts

– Add other domains

– Each user account has its own mailbox

– Include a chat facility for your users

– Share and collaborate on documents

– Create private or public websites online and collaborate with others in building them

– Run a group calendar

– Create your own home page, choosing what Google widgets your users see

– and, of course, email

All this might sound a bit daunting if all you need is a couple of email accounts at yoursite.com! Don’t worry – you can turn off anything you don’t need and simply have what is, in effect, Gmail accounts but using your own domain name instead of gmail.com.

You may already have a Google customised search page which includes some of its more useful widgets like news feeds, note pads etc. and if you have a Gmail account you may also be using the page to show your email. The Google Apps home page is just like this except that you can ‘brand’ it with your own logo. (See the front entrance to my email management for an example – home.mypf.org).

From your home page you and your users, if you have any, can log in and access all the functions of the Google Apps site that you have set up and granted permissions for. You can even create your own URLs for specific functions. For instance, mail.mypf.org will take you to a branded Gmail login page.

The branding continues onto the Gmail pages too.

Of course, the whole point of hosting providers steering you towards Google Apps is so that you can get your POP service from there. Just like a regular Gmail account, Google Apps email accounts can also be accessed by POP clients.

Naturally all this comes at a price – but not a financial one! There is a fair amount of setup involved, from verifying that you own the domain for which you are opening the account to changing your domain’s MX (mail exchange) records to point email delivery at your Google Apps account and configuring your mail client to use the Gmail accounts. Don’t panic! I’ll be covering setup in detail in another article.

Meanwhile, you can take a tour at www.google.com/a. Don’t be put off by the reference to business use: Google Apps is just as useful for individuals.

By: Aphra Elyssiene

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Aphra has been writing academic articles, essays and papers for some time and now turns her hand to the Internet. Why? Because that’s what she does for a living! 30+ years of working in the IT sector as well as in I.T. positions in non-I.T. companies, means plenty of expertise.

Time to share!

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