Are you a hosting provider? Can I purchase my domain through you?

I prefer to set you up directly with hosting. I charge for this so if you and to save a few bucks read on and see how to do it yourself. IF you prefer that I do it for you please contact me to discuss your options.

What can I do to help prevent email spamming?

Spam is a growing concern and pesky to boot. Servers are constantly upgrading systems to help prevent it and spammers presently develop ways around new prevention methods.

Clients approach me from time to time asking me to turn their email address into a graphic, so out of curiosity, I tried it with mine. The graphic still has a link to your email address showing in the HTML language, so I am not sure it helps at all. I have not noticed a change.

Here a few actions I notice reduce spam significantly:

1) Have a private registration on your domain

2) NEVER open any emails from address that you do not recognize. Have your preview area open and single click to see more information on the message if you think you may recognize the sender, but do not double click.

3) Change all passwords every 3 month, including bank accounts, online ordering (amazon.com, etc.) anything you view on the computer that requires a password.

4) Your email from your web site goes to your server (I recommend Crystaltech.com or Sonic.net hosting for my clients) before downloading into your local email program.

Most PC users have Outlook or Outlook Express for there email software. Call your server directly and ask them to adjust your spam settings on your email accounts. I have had great success with this. There is usually a place to add the addresses of "trusted senders" which requires extracting a list from your email address book, and coping it into the "trusted senders" area of the mail account on your server. Go directly to the server and check your spam folder ever couple of days to make sure you are not losing any important emails.

What is a domain name? What is the Charge for a domain name?

I compare a domain name to a business license - it is your business name for the web. For example, my domain name is designorbit.com. Other examples would be amazon.com, sonic,net. Domain names do not include the "http://www." In order for your domain to appear on the web, it requires hosting.

An average domain cost is $18 per a two year period. I suggest private registration (helps prevents spamming) which is an addition $12.

What is hosting and who do you recommend for hosting? What is the charge for hosting?

Hosting is similar to leasing office space - a monthly payment is made to lease space online which hosts your domain, and all its attending pages.

I recommend NewTek.com (same as and morphing from CrystalTech.com). NewTek has several reasonably priced hosting programs. They keep up with the latest technology. The staff is very friendly and accessible.

If you are located in Sebastopol or nearby and want to go local I recommend Sonic.net is a great choice.

What is the best way to check domain availability?

I suggest going to NewTek.com and testing your desired name in upper right corner "Find Your Domain" box. Some hosting coming spy on your desired domain and will put a hold on it or once they see your search. NewTech does NOT do this and is a safe place so search. Also if you sign up for hosting here you can purchase your domain at the same time.

Hosting starts at $5.95 per year.

How do I encrypt an email message?

If you are on a PC, and use Outlook for your e-mail program I suggest reading this article by Microsoft.