1. What
is a Virtual Domain?
A Virtual
Domain means having your own domain name (http://www.your-name.com) without
having to install expensive server hardware and software. With a Virtual
Domain, you utilize our server's storage space, however you are still
professionally represented via your own personal Internet web address domain
name (www.your-name.com) and by your own personal e-mail address domain name
(you@your-name.com).
You should check
InterNIC's "WHOIS" service to make sure that your desired domain name
is available.
2.
Who is the InterNIC?
The InterNIC is an
independent organization responsible for holding the registration and routing
of Internet domain names. Registration fee is $70 for the first two years and
$35/year thereafter for your virtual domain name. InterNIC fees must be paid in
full at the time of domain name registration.
2a. Which Registry will my new domain name be
registered with?
All new
domain names with the .com .net or .org extension are automatically registered
with BulkRegister, and registration fee is $25.00 per year. You do have the
option of using another registry of your choice for new names or if you are
transfering from another server by selecting the "Don't Register Me" option on
the account sign up form. The information needed to do so will be provided on
request after the sign up process.
3. Can I access my domain address with or without the
"www"?
Yes, you will be able
to access the domain address with or without the "www" in front of the domain
name. Example: [http://www.your-name.com] or [http://your-name.com] is
acceptable, whichever you prefer.
4. Do you offer dial-up Internet access?
No, you will need local Internet access in order
to maintain your web site and retrieve email addressed to your site, such as
Sprynet, CompuServe, SNET, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: AOL or any other
proprietary service may not allow you to access your FTP.
5. Do you handle the domain registration
process?
Yes. We will contact
the InterNIC once your account is activated to request either a new domain name
registration or a domain name modification (trasferring an existing domain to
our servers). Please DO NOT submit a registration or modification template to
the InterNIC unless requested to as this will only delay the process.
6. Can I transfer an existing domain name to your
servers?
Yes, just be sure to
specify that you are requesting a transfer and NOT a new domain. You should
keep the service with your current provider while waiting for InterNIC to
complete the transfer process. We will provide you with an IP address so you
can upload the site on our server. All email and web pages will still be
accessed from your current site. When InterNIC announces the completion of the
transfer there is a 72 hour propagation period where visitors could go to
either site. At the end of the 72 hours you should contact your previous host
to have them delete the old domain from their records and update their DNS
record. If you use this same provider for your Internet access you will not be
able to access your domain site until they update their DNS. When we file a
modification one of the current listed contacts must ok the move. Internic will
send a email that you must ok to have the redirection of your domain completed.
If the contact email on your domain has changed from the time you originally
registered it, you will need to fax a authorization to the InterNic to complete
the process.
7. Can you host foreign domain names?
Yes! We can house any foreign domain name
extensions. We do not do the registration for these, but can provide the
nameservers so you can register them yourselves. A copy of the completed
registration should then be forwarded to us by email or postal mail.
8. How long does it take before my domain name is
active?
Once the InterNIC
announces that your domain name has been registered (or transferred, if
applicable), it usually takes about 72-hours before it is active. All Internet
providers must update their records (DNS tables) to reflect the new site's
location. Since not all dial-in providers update DNS tables on a daily basis
this process could take longer than 3 days.
9. How do I transfer files to my web site?
Files must be transferred to the web server
via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). If you need FTP, mail, or other Internet
software, visit Shareware.com. Shareware.com is a source for the latest
Internet applications with ratings and reviews to help you decide which
application is best suited for your needs. A small FTP tutorial is also
available for beginner users who may not be familiar with FTP.
We recommend the following
software:
FTP: CuteFTP, WS_FTP,
Fetch
Email: EudoraPro
10. Will I have unlimited access to update my pages?
You have unlimited access via
FTP 24-hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your
own computer and upload files to your web site at your leisure.
11. Can I use my account for commercial purposes?
Yes, you can use your account
for commercial purposes as long as our policy is followed.
12. Do you provide tech support?
Yes, tech support is available 7 days a week 24
hours per day, but we encourage our customers in need of assistance to send
e-mail to support with questions or concerns about
their web site, or visit our on-line support area. Help with CGI programming
problems are limited to the installed features at this time.
13. How long does it take to set up a new account?
New accounts are generally
set up within 20 minutes from the time we receive your order (via credit card
payment). Once an account is set up an activation notice will be sent to you
via email including your user-ID, password, and FTP hostname. You can begin
uploading files to your new web site immediately. Domain account users will be
given an IP number to access their site via the web prior to the completion of
either domain registration or domain modification.
14. Can I subdivide my space and resell it?
Yes, we do allow you to create subdirectories
which you can use to offer friends or clients space as long as its within our
policy guidlines. We do not point domain names to sub-directories of
accounts nor do we allow any such software creating the same effect. We
feel our service is priced competitively so that all domain names may have
their own accounts.
15. Can I have more domains pointing to the same main page
as my main domain?
Yes, for a
one time $25.00 setup fee, each additional domain name can be pointed to your
main account domain name. Mail will also respond to aliased names, however
"parked" or aliased names do not have their own mail systems.
16. How much is extra traffic in the unlikely event I need
it?
You are given a generous
amount of traffic, but in the unlikely event you need more, the charge is $35
per gigabyte. You can set your account to send you a notification when you are
getting close. This gives you the opportunity to purchase bandwidth or make
other adjustments to your account.
17. Are third level domains available
(anyname.mydomain.com)?
This
hosting option is only available to current customers and InterNic registration
is not needed. Third level domains are fully featured hosting accounts which
include their own storage limits and mail systems.
18. Can I register a domain name without selecting a
hosting account?
Yes! You can
register a .com .net or .org without
selecting a hosting account. Along with reserving your domain name, you will
still have 2 email addresses 1 meg of space to use until you have decided what
hosting plan you would like. All new domain name registrations are $25.00 per
year and can be paid for up to 10 years in advance.
