Page Load Error: Grumble, Grumble, Grumble

Hey, everybody: a quick note.

I transferred my domain from Hostway.com (NEVER use this service, EVER, details to follow) to Aplus.net, and now "www.iheartfarms.com" is in limbo. I'm setting up what's called "Domain Mapping" with Aplus.net, which means that soon, when it's complete, you will see "www.iheartfarms.com" in your browser Location window (the actual URL) instead of "smallfarms.typepad.com." But it takes a day or two for that to happen, so meanwhile, if you go to "www.iheartfarms.com", you will get an error message.

Hang in there with me, please. I'm paddling as fast as I can.

Following: a short rant about why not to use Hostway.com followed by something completely wonderful and wonderful that I've been watching a few times a day ever since someone sent me the link.

<RANT>

The reason not to use Hostway, whom I have recommended for years, is this: last month, one of my clients applied for a domain registration transfer. We submitted the proper code, and waited for a confirmation e-mail. And everybody got busy and didn't think twice about it. This was more than two weeks before it needed to be renewed. When I went to follow up, and resubmitted the request for transfer, but the domain expired. So now my clients have a dead website, and to add injury to insult, Hostway now wants the client to pay them $100 for the privilege of administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, on top of the fee to renew the domain, otherwise they won't let him transfer.

That is NOT customer service, is it?  Hostway, congratulations: you've made it to the Top Three List of Worst Web Hosting on the Planet. You've joined the ranks of (#2 Worst) WoeDaddy,  I mean GoDaddy.com (with a  Right Wing zealot owner, and who twice threatened to suspend a client of mine for spamming, with no evidence and no such thing ever happened). Of course, it's no surprise to anyone who has ever done business with them that Public Enemy #1 is the unbelievably awful NitwitSolutions, I mean NotWorkSolutions, I mean NetworkSolutions.com.

I have been hosting domains with various services for 14 years. NotWorkSolutions not only charges usurious prices (and they came down on those far later than anyone else), but they will do anything, including outright LIE to you, to keep from losing your business. They intentionally lock domains and make it difficult for you to get away from them, and their poor customer support people—who have apologized deeply for the awful training they receive, when I tell them I feel sorry for them, working for that company—have scripts they have to use that are contrived to confuse the clients. It's a hands down winner that NitWit is the worst. Ever. In all my time online. So there.

I have coined a new phrase for people in my line of work: Internet Anxiety Disorder. Actually, great minds think alike, because someone else thought of it first.

Thanks, Hostway.

</RANT>

<COMPLETELY WONDERFUL AND JOYOUS THING>

Remember that goofy, sweet dancing guy, Matt, whose dancing all around the world was one of the most-watched things EVER back in 2003?

His new video, Where in the Hell Is Matt 2008, is even more wonderful. No spoilers. It's uplifting beyond words, and he reaches new heights in his travels. He's obviously a terrifically heartful person. I just subscribed to his weblog, too—turns out he's as funny as he is sweet.

Keep it up, Matt. We all love you here!

</COMPLETELY WONDERFUL AND JOYOUS THING>

And that's it for now. I have another post coming soon…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love." —Jane Austen

And I'm in love with Where in the Hell Is Matt!

Thanks for visiting.

Comments

[kirkobeeo]

I just love your site here.Lots of wonderful links.I dream of haveing a place like your farm.Thank you again

[Russ]

It is against ICANN rules to deny a transfer request just because the domain has expired. Transfers can be done even though the domain was not renewed on time.

Many registrars refuse to allow the transfers until the domain is renewed, but a complaint filed with ICANN will unblock the situation.