Dedicated Server Buying Guide: What Should You Really Get?

It can be called a number of names like dedicated hosting service and even managed hosting service, but when it comes to the common Internet lingo, the term simply goes as dedicated server. A dedicated server is one of three common types of Internet hosting services that features full hosting; the other two are collocation centre and virtual private server. We often hear the term dedicated service when it comes to the setting up of a massive virtual arena for online games or game server hosting. However, there are other uses for dedicated services like DNS hosting, e-mail hosting, file hosting, remote backup service, and web hosting.

hostgatorWeb hosting may include: clustered hosting, free hosting, reseller hosting, shared hosting, and application specific hosting. The last subtype of hosting may in turn include: blog hosting, guide hosting, image hosting, video hosting and the now ubiquitous Wiki farms.

If you are seriously looking into the possibility of hooking up with a dedicated server, or at least scouting around the web for one or two companies you could use, you have to keep in mind several things, like: budget and purpose.

Naturally, like all business ventures, there is considerable exchange of monetary funds here. Choosing the price range of your server plays a crucial role in what kind of service you will get. The pricier the tag, the more services are usually afforded. However, this does not mean that you get the most expensive server possible. If you are indeed on a budget, the best course of action is to look closely with what the server companies are offering: what are their services, what are their scope and limitations; what services can you add or remove from available packages, etc.? Even if you intend to spend a lot of money on your web hosting pursuits, you should still look into the services being offered. This is a great safeguard to ensure that you will not be paying for services you will not need.

Secondly, you have to determine what initial and subsequent purposes you might have in regards to the acquisition of a dedicated server. If you foresee yourself using the services of a limited server range like establishing your game hosting site only, it would be best to indeed work only in that scope. There are a lot of companies offering more specialized services when it comes to gaming servers, and if you limit your online search only to these companies, you can and will eventually find a company suitable to your needs and budget.

On the other hand, if you have a web hosting site, and you intend to later on branch to a more massive scope (which may include DNS hosting or file hosting or remote backup service,) you may also want to scope out certain companies that offer more specialized software encompassing what potential needs you may have. A very broadly scoped company may offer you good services, but a more specialized (but limited) company can definitely give you more. Sometimes, these specialized companies can even offer you software that is not available to the general public, which can put you out front if compared to your likely competitors.


Google Wants to Be Your Friend — the Debut of Google’s “Friend Connect”

News.com is reporting that Google has just revealed a preview of its new “Friend Connect,” a user-friendly method of adding social features to web sites without needing extensive programming knowledge. Friend Connect is obviously an attempt to jump on the social networking Web 2.0 bandwagon, but Google is approaching it from a different point of view.

Instead of launching just another social networking web site like MySpace or Facebook, Google has created a series of social “plug-ins” that can be added to any web site without needing programming or technical knowledge. This in itself is a pretty clever innovation, and could conceivably take off big, assuming that it is user-friendly enough, and that Google markets the new Friend Connect service in the right way.

friend connectImagine having MySpace or Facebook connectivity available on a huge variety of web sites, from Amazon.com to flyfishingweekly.com (or whatever you are into). That is exactly what Google is attempting with the Friend Connect service. This way, you don’t need a centralized social networking site and all — you can simply have your Facebook-type social interface and connections anywhere you go online.

Users of the service will be able to interact with and view the activities of all their friends on existing sites, including Facebook, Google Talk, Orkut, Plaxo and others. The Friend Connect interface will use a secure authorization process to increase security, and keep your social network safe while surfing around various sites online.

For the time being, only a few sites are including the Friend Connect interface. Google is seeking feedback from webmasters and users about the functionality of the service before the official launch takes place– scheduled for later this year.

In effect, the Friend Connect interface is a type of widget that is easily included on any web page. Google expects the interfaces to be popular among a wide variety of web sites because of their ability to bring in increased Web traffic, and enhance surfers experience on a particular site. For example, if you’re reading a series of articles on the wired.com and decide to check in with your friends on Facebook, you don’t have to open a new web page at all — you can simply use the Friend Connect interface right on the page you are reading.

The beauty of the service is that your social connections and applications will all be immediately synced up with your MySpace or Facebook page. Assuming that the Friend Connect application is stable, it could prove a great success, and will likely be adopted by millions of web sites around the world. We will have to wait for the official launch of Friend Connect later this year to see how it plays out, and if the service can live up to the hype.

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Switching to VoIP Guide

The use of VoIP is fast becoming a helpful alternative among businesses to traditional phones. Because of its impressive features, VoIP has become an inevitable tool now enjoyed by many different people in different types of industries. Among the highlights of its features is that it can host several phone calls within a singular broadband connection. It also provides other features such as call forwarding and call conferences without the additional fees asked for by traditional telephone companies. In addition, secure phone calls are also made through VoIP.

voip phoneBut no matter how useful and how economical VoIP may actually seem to be, you should still consider some important things before you go off availing one. There are other things that must be considered which are surely going to affect you in the long run. Among the things you have to think about is the actual cost of savings which you are bound to get when switching to VoIP. You should be able to compare the rates you have to shoulder when using VoIP alongside the toll-free rates you will otherwise shoulder if you have to use the traditional method. What you should keep in mind is that you should not simply buy the VoIP system just so you can have a chance to experience this new technology.

As you finally consider getting your first VoIP equipment, keep in mind that the best way to go about it is to buy a brand new system. Although slightly used ones can be a bit tempting to actually indulge in, you should still consider getting something brand new so that you can work through functional issues much easier. Plus, if you get a brand new system you can save up on installation costs as you avail them together with your purchase. Also, brand new systems are surely updated with the latest VoIP technology in comparison with cheaper yet older VoIP versions.

When switching to VoIP, the initial budget is not the only cost which you need to shell out for the entire process to push through. You should also consider budgeting ahead for the future. At the start, you may initially save up as you consider only the basics in VoIP technology so in essence you can do away with the other more complex and complicated system. However, there will come a time when you will need to upgrade your system and this will spell costs for you. Prepare for this because when that time comes, you will definitely need to consider a bigger budget because you will be dealing with complex systems already.

Finally, investigate or initiate a background check with your VoIP vendor. Make sure that they are legitimate dealers of particular brands so that you won’t be ripped-off of your money’s worth plus the quality you expect. You should also check out if the systems being offered to you are all licensed. Make sure they are so you won’t get into any future trouble. You can check out your vendor’s credentials through your state’s board of electricity.

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Elements of Web 2.0

The term Web 2.0 has gained much online controversy and notoriety. Since its declaration by Tim O’Reilly and subsequent inception in 2004, more and more people are becoming conscious of establishing their online presence under the flagship of Web 2.0 machinations and applications.

But what exactly is Web 2.0? Its fiercest critics say that Web 2.0 is a mere vague term for the evolution of the web in the twentieth century. They say that it is meaningless and useless to name all new changes to the web as Web 2.0. Still, a lot of people dig the concept of Web 2.0 and are tailoring their online operations to suit the Web 2.0 standards.

web 2.0Superior Interaction

The websites that are under Web 2.0 standards are known for superior interaction between its web developers and the people who visit it. It is no longer a static avenue that users visit for unquestionable pieces of information. This is now an avenue where you can derive information and at the same time, have the ability to interact with the website maker. The applications of Web 2.0 removes the boundaries that keep Internet users from bridging the gap and really forming an authentic relationship with the maker of the website. From being a mere portal for research, the Web 2.0 applications have made it possible to merge different views together and keep the interaction alive and kicking in the page.

Social Networking

People who visit the Web 2.0 applications and websites tend to team up and make more meaningful ventures together in the future. While static traditional Web usage will not really allow for such tie-ups, the environment of Web 2.0 actually allows people with similar pursuits and interests to connect with each other and share more information that could be helpful to both of them.

Superb Customizable Quality

Another amazing thing about the Web 2.0 is that you will find it so easily customizable. It is not something generic. It unleashes each user’s individuality and uses those distinct characteristics to enhance what they have to offer. Being an owner of a Web 2.0 standard page is a real delight, since you will find more and more people really benefiting from your site and harnessing the power of the Internet to express themselves. It is a win-win situation for both the maker and the user.

Sharing

Sharing is very much encouraged in a Web 2.0 platform. You will find that more and more people will be drawn and inclined to share what they benefit so much from. There will be little need to advertise because the links shall naturally work for themselves as long as users are being satisfied and maintained in making use of the services in the famous Web 2.0 applications. Websites such as Wikipedia, thrive under this redefined way of using the Internet.

Simplicity

Most of the Web 2.0 sites are well-known for their simplicity. You will find that their functionality overrides the need to be fancy or impressive. The interface is friendly to cater to needs of users of all levels, ages and stages. You do not need to be a computer geek to be able to make use and take advantage of the Web 2.0 platforms because it is made as easy as possible for the users and as sophisticatedly simple and elegant for programmers.

Strength in Numbers

Web 2.0 designs thrive in numbers. You will find that the more famous a Web 2.0 site is, the more established and useful it becomes. It makes all people in the cycle of information dissemination grow. End users find themselves at an advantage with the variety of choices the Web 2.0 applications have provided them with. The makers of Web 2.0 experience a lot of support from their counterparts and their end users, and are perpetually motivated to be at their best.

These benefits make Web 2.0 so attractive for so many people. However, you will find that the term Web 2.0 can be quite vague. When will it stop? Will there be a Web 3.0 to continue the legacy of this summit? There are just so many questions being invited by this controversial issue. It is mainly due to the fact that the boundary lines for Web 2.0 and the traditional first version of the Web is just so blurred and not so clearly demarcated.


 
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