Ashkir [dot] com

I’ve been wanting to do this post for a while, but, I contacted some folks to get permission to use their logos for this blog article. I use some outstanding web services and software that others don’t use very much. I really think you all need to be using them too, because I highly recommend them. I’ll be making a short list of some of the most outstanding services I have used online. These are services that not many use, but, I recommend you all to take a look at.

Five: Kadoo

Kadoo is a file host created by DivShare. They are a file host that has great potential to be the lead in my opinion. Though, as of late they have been working on new features. But, stability is great. Storage space is amazing. And their support is freaken fantastic.

I have made countless suggestions to the people behind Kadoo and they have been all too keen to hear them. It seems they’re trying to take a social media approach to file sharing. I think it has great potential with API integration into leading software if a plugin were made for WordPress, FaceBook, or even Twitter. It’s a great way for web masters and gamers to share files back and forth and leave quick notes. It’s also a great way for students to work on a project that’s too big for their emails.

I know, DropBox is causing them to be pushed out of the scene. But, I think Kadoo has strong potential to push back. Their limits are more generous, their staff is easy to contact, and Kadoo is completely open over the web. They’re not focusing on direct access to your computer. Kadoo is focusing on through your browser. Your browser is their future. I think they have an amazing future. Wouldn’t it be awesome to upload a .zip file you’re blogging about through a simple option on your blog creation page and have it listed as the download instead of using your web host’s limits? I think so too!

Kadoo, play your cards right. I think you have the potential to conquer the world of file sharing.

Visit Kadoo

Four: WordPress

WordPress is a leading blog software. They have done great things and are a powerhouse in the blogging world ranging from their remotely hosted blog software to their standalone software. I personally use and recommend their standalone software available through their .org domain.

Why WordPress over the rest? WordPress has a wealth of plugins that makes them much more powerful. With many theme options from independent developers from free to paid offers a wealth of designs. Many themes offer a large amount of customized options. They range from new banner, to new background. Some themes have more complex features with entire color choices to rearranging of content as well. However, most of the best themes are premium and are available from ThemeForest.

WordPress is used by myself on this blog you are reading. By my friend Kate at Divergent Musings or Cassie at Cassomatic. I even use it myself for a photoblog at Nick’s Place. Flexibility is the key part of WordPress that you can turn it into a CMS (content management system) to be a main website instead of just a simple blog.

WordPress really is a press of words on the internet.

Visit WordPress

Three: AboutUs

Wikis are a world that the world has come to appreciate over the last few years. AboutUs is one of the few major players that have taken advantage of the small group of talented wiki content creators. They have hired some of the best persons in the wiki world and are working on redefining what wiki is, while holding true to the nature of the wiki.

It took a while for AboutUs to figure out their direction. They were at first just a directory of websites where people can review a website and webmasters can add information, history, etc about their history. Over time it molded into a resource for information about the background of a service. When there was a major crib recall and the provider’s website crashed, they used AboutUs to help push the recall information out. Some people used it for a resume with their domain name, and others used it as a page for the community.

After a while AboutUs turned to a new direction with some new talented staff members to help with SEO. They built a powerful pay for SEO tool that I actually got to test out. I currently don’t use it at this time, but, if you want to learn SEO I highly recommend it. They have a place that teaches you about SEO with the latest tips and tricks. They teach you the internet, how to rank yourself all for free. Go to AboutUs.org/Learn to learn about the web in ways you never thought possible. These are some of the best in the world writing those articles. Take advantage of it.

AboutUs is about you. It is about all of us, the people and websites that make up the internet.

Visit AboutUs

Two: Name.com

My domain registrar is Name.com and, man, how do I love them? I must have recommended them a dozen times over. There are very few web services that I highly recommend more so then anything. Which is why this took the second place.

They have been amazing with support over the years. There was a while when some company in Europe wanted my domain (Ashkir.com) because they wanted to do a studio with the same name. I got worried and asked Name.com what I can do, and they told me my domain is safe and they have no rights because I actively use it! I am the first known registrar to this name and they are willing to go out and beyond and protect me.

They have been great, and great support. When I discovered a bug they stamped it out within hours. Their interface is easy to use. Their DNS updates super quickly! Almost every change I’ve ever made with them, registration, name servers changes, have happened almost instantly. A friend made a mistake when registering a domain name with a simple typo, they fixed it within five minutes of registration and got the correct one. They were freaken FANTASTIC about everything.

Need a domain name? Stop looking, and go directly to these folks.

Visit Name.com

One: BigWetFish

Last, but not least. First place goes to BigWetFish. These folks are my web host. Yes, of course I offer web hosting to some friends, this is because I have a reseller account with these fantastic people.

BigWetFish has always been fast at fixing issues I have had. They answered my questions all the time quickly. Their price is hard to beat. Several of my internet friends use them for their own websites. BigWetFish has seen a lot of growth over the last few years and I hope and expect to see much more growth in the next few years and onward.

I don’t like large web hosts due to the fact that they end up shafting the customer or becoming unreliable. BigWetFish experienced growth, expansion to the United States. Their expansion made me happy because I’m an American. They have costumers around the world that all highly respect them, and, a great loyal base. The reason why… I personally believe is why I like them. They treat me like a person, an individual. With their expansions and constant growth, they continue to treat me this way. They are not outsourcing their support to people whom don’t understand English or the service being offered.

BigWetFish has a bright future in web hosting. If you need a web host I highly recommend them. They’re a paid service, but, is very well worth the money. (Be sure to mention my name if you sign up!)

Visit BigWetFish

What are some web services that you use that not many others? Please let me know! I’m very interested in them! Why do you like the service you use so much? This was my list, I hope you enjoyed.

Domains are a major part of webhosting. I have been very lucky, however. First I was given a free domain by my first paid webhost, Elixant. But, they gone and closed so I transferred to Misk. Their support was good and all. But, then Name.com sponsored one of my favorite websites and I of course gave them a look. Their prices were good, staff were friendly and answering questions.

So, I registered a name there. Then eventually transferred some there and more. My collection kept growing and I came to realize I found a favorite name registrar. Shocking, right? They don’t send me real life spam like others do. In fact, the only time I ever got something in the mail from them was a gift from when I found a bug. I asked for the stein, but, they must’ve been out, now I have an awesome pen holder mug with their logo.

Name.com offered me a stein, drink holder, or a mug. I choose stein, but they were out so I got a new pen mug .

I have always loved my experience with name.com They have been wonderful and amazing. I even called their support number a few timesand had an amazing experience with it! I didn’t even have to wait! I called recently because a good friend’s domain got misregistered due to an oversight on her part and they fixed it and the domain was only five minutes old, they reversed it and corrected it to how my friend wanted it!

I dislike the other registars because when you create an account with them you’re magically on their mailing list. They send you a lot of real life mail, most which is junk! They send you emails that spam you to no end in sight. This, is a huge invasion of my privacy when I don’t have an option to opt out of them all. Honestly, the only time I ever get email from name.com is when I send them a support ticket, make a new order… and the email to tell me that someone tried to log into my account… which is always me forgetting my own password.

Name.com values my privacy. I like that about them. Someone even once tried to take my domain away from me. They stated they held claim to it. I held claim to it and have for years. After talking with Name.com’s support and they contacted their legal. They said they will protect me as the rightful owner of the domain as I am not abusing it and am actively using the domain. The other “claimers” eventually died down. Never knew what happened, but, they let me live in peace.

Name.com is my registrar choice. They were amazing and are amazing. Their control panel is extremely easy to navigate! I tried out several registers, and interfaces were my biggest pet peeve. Name.com makes it so easy to edit my domain details in the push of a button or two! Name.com does have a complicated interface that is overwhelming at times. But, it’s still easy on the most part. Sometimes I wish they’d make a simplified version for quick links and an option for “advanced” to give you the other stuff I don’t understand.

Oh… apparently I still have a penny. Yup 1¢ in my account. They refunded $8.00 from a $7.99 purchase once when an error came up, so I can redo the purchase. They wasted no time and it was fixed within a half an hour. I still have that one little cent all by his lonesome in the account. Apparently they have an affiliate system, I referred several friends to them over time… never once used the affiliate system. They’re too good for me. I don’t need anything from them. I never had a problem with them.

See! I have 1¢ credit gift from these folks!

Name.com is probably one of the most under appreciated aspects of my internet life. They are so smooth in their transactions, support, friendliness, and fast at making changes to my domains that I don’t even need to worry about them.

If you’re looking for a great registrar try them. They have earned my trust and it is well earned and they are greatly respected. Plus… they don’t kill elephants!

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      On a first name basis with the rest of the world. 

If you have just visited Ashkir [dot]‘s blog, then you are aware it is an interesting combination of reviews, blog posts, photos and even jokes. It is a site which all types of budding artists, writers and designers can approach, with the chance of getting some publicity by having their link and photo on the slider.

If you are just starting out as a designer or photographer for example, coming to sites like this is a good first step to becoming more well known. The internet is a huge network, where people all over the world mingle, see new products, interact and sometimes pass on the message through social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook. You want your site to be visited by all sorts of people with various interests because this is a great way to find contacts. Even if someone who likes cooking or partypoker, sees your photography blog for example, they may share it with friends, one who might happen to be a professional photographer or is a teacher in the subject

This could be your first step towards finding a valuable contact. Another way to gain more publicity is to start a ‘trending topic’ on Twitter. If you begin by saying something topical or entertaining on your profile, your followers may start to join in; this can spread very quickly and soon many people are able to see your profile which you should put a link to your site on.

Alternatively, if you are a photographer, why not try selling some of your photos in a local art café, or enter them in competitions. Even if you do not win, many professionals will be looking at your images and some might approach you if they like your work. Be sure to leave your contact details next to your work, in case anybody wishes to contact you.

php.ini can be the most annoying file on the planet at times and cause one of the largest headaches one has ever encountered. Are you having a problem with your php.ini file? If so, is it only working in the root directory, but not sub-directories like folders?

For example for WordPress sometimes people use the php.ini to increase upload to a few more megabytes such as 10M instead of the default 2M. However, it doesn’t seem to work. If you create a second php.ini in the /wp-admin/ directory it magically works. But, the server never listened and obeyed the original php.ini in the root.

The php.ini file is very useful for function control, and many other features of php.ini. Firstly, you need to make sure your host allows you to have a custom one. If so, and it doesn’t work in every sub-directory, I have a fix for you.

Create or edit your .htaccess with the following:

<IfModule mod_suphp.c>
  suPHP_ConfigPath /home/NAME/public_html
  <Files php.ini>
    order allow,deny
    deny from all
  </Files>
</IfModule>

Just change NAME to your cpanel name, aka your login to cPanel/root. . With this fix php.ini should be reflected within all sub-folders on the cPanel hosting account.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful short novel! It was a very quick read and was pretty provoking, and yet, a sweet way to introduce a child to the horrors of which the holocaust brought forth. This brings a face of the holocaust to the viewpoint of how children understand it.

Well worth the read, for all ages.



View all my reviews