Aragorn wrote:

> On Tuesday 01 July 2008 20:31, someone who identifies as *David W.
> Hodgins* wrote in /alt.os.linux.mandriva:/
>
>> On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:28:21 -0400, Alan Secker <alan@asandco.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I had added a new email account to my domain but it could neither
>>> successfully send nor receive. I gather that since Tiscali acquired F2S,
>>
>> I'm not clear on what the problem is. Is this a problem with the isp
>> setting up the email account, a problem accessing the email from
>> Mandriva, or a problem with a locally created email account?
>
> I think what he means is that he's set up a new e-mail account in the
> domain he has hosted with either his ISP or his hosting company, and that
> this apparently doesn't work, and that he is looking for an alternative.
>
> To Alan: If I am correct about the above and we're talking of domain
> hosting, then I /might/ be able to do something for you.
>
> As you may or may not remember, I'm running an IRC network with a couple
> of friends - well, there were five paying members, of whom one was not
> paying at all despite our pleas, so we eventually fired him, which brings
> us down to four paying team members of whom only two (myself included) are
> actively maintaining the network infrastructure and concerning ourselves
> with IRC.
>
> Running such a network off of our own servers and hosting our own domains
> and website, we've decided to offer hosting solutions as well. Strictly
> on a beta-level basis at this stage - although we've been doing that for
> over
> a year already - and without the intent of actually making a profit. Our
> goal is to bring in just a bit of extra money to help pay for our
> infrastructure, although we're nowhere at a break-even situation yet.
>
> It's all still unofficial at this stage, so there are no invoices or other
> paperwork, and this is because at this stage, we've still not made the
> transition to a legitimate not-for-profit, given that this would import
> additional costs and legal difficulties - e.g. corporate taxes, an
> official double bookkeeping, et al.
>
> Now, I don't know what your needs are, but given all of the above, should
> you still be interested in a low-cost hosting solution, then I am willing
> to see what I can do. I would suggest that you then contact me via e-mail
> - see my signature, adapted for this one-time occasion - and tell me
> exactly what you want, and then I'll get back to you with what we can
> offer
> you. No harm done if you choose not to accept our offer, though. ;-)
>
I do like the sound of that but my business now rather depends on the
reliability of internet services, which means all kinds if things like
emergency power supplies and so on. It sounds as though what you are
offering is a bit to early for me right now but maybe a little later on.

This morning it looks like at least one way is working. I sent a test that
did not bounce back. I am waiting for a return message before letting my
breathe out.

Thanks for the offer.

Incidentally F2S use an 0871 telephone number. Whenever one calls, they are
always busy and five pence per minute clocks for quite a while with no
benefit to the caller. It would be quite easy to manipulate this, simply to
make money. I think it should be outlawed. It is theft by any other name.

Regards

Alan