https://post4vps.com/ Tue, 05 May 2026 08:15:52 +0000 MyBB https://post4vps.com/Thread-HostPoco-Tiny-quality-cpanel-hosting-with-all-of-the-features Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:20:40 +0000 deanhills]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-HostPoco-Tiny-quality-cpanel-hosting-with-all-of-the-features
Here are the specs for the free Hostpoco Lifetime Hosting Account:

200MB Web Space
200MB Bandwidth
2 Email Accounts
2 Sub Domains
FREE Auto SSL
DDOS Protection
99.99% uptime
Softacolous Supported
Tier 1 Technical Support

Before I hit the bandwidth limit I did the following:

1. I wanted to give the cPanel that comes with the account a good workout.  So instead of using Softaculous I installed the WordPress script manually by uploading the script with the File Manager.  That went very well, however I noticed that it took much longer to upload than what my experience usually is with cpanel.  Possibly because of it being monitored.  This was clearly a sign of using a good chunck of bandwidth.

2. Next I noticed that although the specs say Auto SSL, the capability was there in cPanel with Let's Encrypt, but it was not enabled when the account was set up as my experience with cpanel accounts usually is.  It was actually very easy though to do this by just clicking on the SSL tab in cPanel, and maybe two other clicks and the SSL was completed.  The option for Wildcard was dimmed, however I could enable SSL for sub-domains and cpanel as well.

3. Next I created a mySQL database and noticed that the specs forgot to mention one is only allowed one mySQL database.  It was a classic cpanel database with creating a user as well and connecting the database with the user.  That went as fast as always and I don't think it used that much bandwidth.

4. Following this I was able to create the site the classic manual way with entering the URL of the primary domain and following the usual WP Blog Create steps. It went fast as usual and I doubt it used that much bandwidth.

5. Next I cleaned up the empty WordPress blog of its pages, posts and plugins.  Then loaded the All in One WP Migration plugin as well as plug extension as well as the Classic Editor plugin.  I don't think that took lots of bandwidth, as it went very fast as it usually does.

6. I then used the All in One WP Migration plugin to import an exting WordPress blog that I was going to edit down and create a new blog out of.  I used it as a template.  This must have taken a chunk of bandwidth as the import went much slower than it usually does in my experience.  It was successfully imported though.

7. Next I edited the blog, deleted a bunch of pages and posts, edited the menu.  Also updated all of the plugins in the imported blog.  I then took a backup as well and that took longer than what is in my experience indicating it was eating away at bandwidth.

8. A little while after I went back to create two new blog posts.  Then when I tried to make a backup of the site, as I usually do after a change like this, it hit the 200 MB disk space limit.  I then remembered that when one downloads a backup, a copy is stored on the Website as well.  Once I had deleted the backup, I was able to create a fresh download and updated backup again.

9. Next morning when I tried to get up the blog it came up with a notice that I had exceeded the bandwidth limit.  So the above was the sum total of bandwidth and disk space it took to get to its limits.

So in retrospect this is indeed an entry level mini account meaning the expectation is to wet one's appetite for the next level of hosting, which I think is well worth it at only 1$ a month.  The entry level mini account gave me ample opportunity to try the hosting out and all of it rocked - more about this later.

In the meanwhile, back to hitting the hard disk and bandwidth limits.  If any one else is going to use the Free Lifetime Hosting to create a WP blog, here are some suggestions for saving on the resources.

1. Use Softaculous in cPanel to create the WP blog.  
2. Uploading files, importing and exporting eat bandwidth and add disk space.  Use this minimally.
3. You can only create one mySQL Database
4. Although you are allowed two free sub domains, I'd advise against using this option due to minimal resources.
5. Ditto e-mail accounts.  I don't think there are enough resources for having a full all round hosting account.

I was very impressed with the all over service though.  Imagine GENUINE cPanel like we know it in its best up to date form, together with an equally up to date Softaculous.  But that is not the only gems I came across.

When one applies for the Free Lifetime Hosting, one has to open a client account first.  The features in the client area of that account rock.  Initially I was concerned as although I had received plenty of well written e-mails to confirm my application, the service application was stuck as "pending" in the Dashboard of my Account.  It was very easy though to submit a ticket through the support options of the Client Account.  Alternatively I could also have checked with "chat".  HostPoco definitely gets a 10/10 for options for support.  I went the ticket route.  At the time I submitted the ticket I was wondering whether the fact that the service had not been activated yet had to do with the service not existing at all.  But was impressed when I received a response to my ticket within a few hours.  Turned out after a number of back and forth messages between HostPoco and me, HostPoco is a conservative and hands-on host.  Although most of everything is automated as with all other hosts, they take a very careful approach to those who qualify for the free hosting account.  Turned out that MasterPoco left a number of things out of the post where he advertised the Free Lifetime service.  Such as a review that needs to be written.  Once that had been straightened out however, to my surprise, but also great curiosity to try it out, I received this tiny quality free cpanel with softaculous hosting account.  And a cpanel that turned out to be state of the art, up to date, real mcCoy product.  

So far my account and service hasn't been down, except of course blocked due to hitting the bandwidth limit.  So uptime sofar is 10/10.  Support far exceeded my expectations.  I for example checked in at HostPoco and used their chat (available to registered account users only), to ask them where they wanted a review published.  It was a great experience with a real person instead of the feeling of dealing with an exhausted person who doesn't care.  There were no gaps in time in between messages and I never had to wait in between.  There are people who care at HostPoco for sure.  I was provided with the following URL for the review.  One of those review sites that vets the review before it is published:
https://hostadvice.com/hosting-company/h...o-reviews/

I also like Hostpoco’s knowledgebase with very useful articles about everything including a Demo for the free account. The person who set all of this up obviously is gifted with writing good materials as the e-mails of confirmation and information about the account and setup are all impeccably written with loads of info.
https://www.my.hostpoco.com/index.php?rp...eb-Hosting

So everything is true or exceeded my expectations. Uptime is genuine, pricing is genuine, it is genuinely user friendly with a state of the art cpanel and softaculous, support is more than excellent through their chat feature in addition to support through ticket.  $1 for upgrading to unlimited hosting with Hostpoco would definitely be worth it for anyone considering a hosting account.  More than worth it.  I see it as a great deal!  For now any way.  But looks as though they've been around for a while now (since 2018)

These are the specs that come with the Hostpoco Shared Hosting Pro at 1$:

Double Domain Hosting
Unlimited Web Space
Unlimited Bandwidth
Unlimited Email Accounts
Unlimited Parked Domains
1 Addon Domains
4 MySQL Databases
Unlimited Sub Domains
FREE cPanel Control Panel
FREE PHP MyAdmin
FREE AwStats
FREE Auto SSL
FREE Virus Scanner
DDOS Protection
99.99% uptime
Softacolous Supported
Tier 2 Technical Support

Terms of Service (TOS)
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)]]>
Here are the specs for the free Hostpoco Lifetime Hosting Account:

200MB Web Space
200MB Bandwidth
2 Email Accounts
2 Sub Domains
FREE Auto SSL
DDOS Protection
99.99% uptime
Softacolous Supported
Tier 1 Technical Support

Before I hit the bandwidth limit I did the following:

1. I wanted to give the cPanel that comes with the account a good workout.  So instead of using Softaculous I installed the WordPress script manually by uploading the script with the File Manager.  That went very well, however I noticed that it took much longer to upload than what my experience usually is with cpanel.  Possibly because of it being monitored.  This was clearly a sign of using a good chunck of bandwidth.

2. Next I noticed that although the specs say Auto SSL, the capability was there in cPanel with Let's Encrypt, but it was not enabled when the account was set up as my experience with cpanel accounts usually is.  It was actually very easy though to do this by just clicking on the SSL tab in cPanel, and maybe two other clicks and the SSL was completed.  The option for Wildcard was dimmed, however I could enable SSL for sub-domains and cpanel as well.

3. Next I created a mySQL database and noticed that the specs forgot to mention one is only allowed one mySQL database.  It was a classic cpanel database with creating a user as well and connecting the database with the user.  That went as fast as always and I don't think it used that much bandwidth.

4. Following this I was able to create the site the classic manual way with entering the URL of the primary domain and following the usual WP Blog Create steps. It went fast as usual and I doubt it used that much bandwidth.

5. Next I cleaned up the empty WordPress blog of its pages, posts and plugins.  Then loaded the All in One WP Migration plugin as well as plug extension as well as the Classic Editor plugin.  I don't think that took lots of bandwidth, as it went very fast as it usually does.

6. I then used the All in One WP Migration plugin to import an exting WordPress blog that I was going to edit down and create a new blog out of.  I used it as a template.  This must have taken a chunk of bandwidth as the import went much slower than it usually does in my experience.  It was successfully imported though.

7. Next I edited the blog, deleted a bunch of pages and posts, edited the menu.  Also updated all of the plugins in the imported blog.  I then took a backup as well and that took longer than what is in my experience indicating it was eating away at bandwidth.

8. A little while after I went back to create two new blog posts.  Then when I tried to make a backup of the site, as I usually do after a change like this, it hit the 200 MB disk space limit.  I then remembered that when one downloads a backup, a copy is stored on the Website as well.  Once I had deleted the backup, I was able to create a fresh download and updated backup again.

9. Next morning when I tried to get up the blog it came up with a notice that I had exceeded the bandwidth limit.  So the above was the sum total of bandwidth and disk space it took to get to its limits.

So in retrospect this is indeed an entry level mini account meaning the expectation is to wet one's appetite for the next level of hosting, which I think is well worth it at only 1$ a month.  The entry level mini account gave me ample opportunity to try the hosting out and all of it rocked - more about this later.

In the meanwhile, back to hitting the hard disk and bandwidth limits.  If any one else is going to use the Free Lifetime Hosting to create a WP blog, here are some suggestions for saving on the resources.

1. Use Softaculous in cPanel to create the WP blog.  
2. Uploading files, importing and exporting eat bandwidth and add disk space.  Use this minimally.
3. You can only create one mySQL Database
4. Although you are allowed two free sub domains, I'd advise against using this option due to minimal resources.
5. Ditto e-mail accounts.  I don't think there are enough resources for having a full all round hosting account.

I was very impressed with the all over service though.  Imagine GENUINE cPanel like we know it in its best up to date form, together with an equally up to date Softaculous.  But that is not the only gems I came across.

When one applies for the Free Lifetime Hosting, one has to open a client account first.  The features in the client area of that account rock.  Initially I was concerned as although I had received plenty of well written e-mails to confirm my application, the service application was stuck as "pending" in the Dashboard of my Account.  It was very easy though to submit a ticket through the support options of the Client Account.  Alternatively I could also have checked with "chat".  HostPoco definitely gets a 10/10 for options for support.  I went the ticket route.  At the time I submitted the ticket I was wondering whether the fact that the service had not been activated yet had to do with the service not existing at all.  But was impressed when I received a response to my ticket within a few hours.  Turned out after a number of back and forth messages between HostPoco and me, HostPoco is a conservative and hands-on host.  Although most of everything is automated as with all other hosts, they take a very careful approach to those who qualify for the free hosting account.  Turned out that MasterPoco left a number of things out of the post where he advertised the Free Lifetime service.  Such as a review that needs to be written.  Once that had been straightened out however, to my surprise, but also great curiosity to try it out, I received this tiny quality free cpanel with softaculous hosting account.  And a cpanel that turned out to be state of the art, up to date, real mcCoy product.  

So far my account and service hasn't been down, except of course blocked due to hitting the bandwidth limit.  So uptime sofar is 10/10.  Support far exceeded my expectations.  I for example checked in at HostPoco and used their chat (available to registered account users only), to ask them where they wanted a review published.  It was a great experience with a real person instead of the feeling of dealing with an exhausted person who doesn't care.  There were no gaps in time in between messages and I never had to wait in between.  There are people who care at HostPoco for sure.  I was provided with the following URL for the review.  One of those review sites that vets the review before it is published:
https://hostadvice.com/hosting-company/h...o-reviews/

I also like Hostpoco’s knowledgebase with very useful articles about everything including a Demo for the free account. The person who set all of this up obviously is gifted with writing good materials as the e-mails of confirmation and information about the account and setup are all impeccably written with loads of info.
https://www.my.hostpoco.com/index.php?rp...eb-Hosting

So everything is true or exceeded my expectations. Uptime is genuine, pricing is genuine, it is genuinely user friendly with a state of the art cpanel and softaculous, support is more than excellent through their chat feature in addition to support through ticket.  $1 for upgrading to unlimited hosting with Hostpoco would definitely be worth it for anyone considering a hosting account.  More than worth it.  I see it as a great deal!  For now any way.  But looks as though they've been around for a while now (since 2018)

These are the specs that come with the Hostpoco Shared Hosting Pro at 1$:

Double Domain Hosting
Unlimited Web Space
Unlimited Bandwidth
Unlimited Email Accounts
Unlimited Parked Domains
1 Addon Domains
4 MySQL Databases
Unlimited Sub Domains
FREE cPanel Control Panel
FREE PHP MyAdmin
FREE AwStats
FREE Auto SSL
FREE Virus Scanner
DDOS Protection
99.99% uptime
Softacolous Supported
Tier 2 Technical Support

Terms of Service (TOS)
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-BladeNode-DirectAdmin-Shared-Hosting-Review Sat, 23 Jan 2021 13:44:10 +0000 xdude]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-BladeNode-DirectAdmin-Shared-Hosting-Review [b]phoenixwolf [/b]from BladeNode Hosting for letting us test their DirectAdmin Shared Hosting. Since the cPanel keep increasing their prices it's a good idea to find a good alternative just in case. Right now DirectAdmin is the next best-paid hosting panel in the market. It's not at the same level as cPanel but if there might be a day we have to migrate if cPanel keeps increasing their prices.

It's been a long time since the last time I used DirectAdmin and looks like they have improved the interface and feature. I don't remember having too many problems with DirectAdmin as an average shared hosting user. The interface was neat and simple. I had all the basic functions I needed there so I had nothing to complain about. I have used many free panels in past and right now I use Cyberpanel. I also I do use cPanel on one of my servers.

Interface - User Friendliness

I really do love the new DirectAdmin interface. The first cluster of options is called Account Manager. It has all the basic options we need to work on when we are setting up a website. Like Domain Setup, SSL, FTP, MYSQL Management, PHP Settings, HotLink Protection, Site Redirections, etc. At cPanel, these options are clustered with related features rather than priorities. So you need to go all over the place to find options. At CyberPanel this is even bit harder in a way.

MySQL Management

Everything you need about databases cant be found under this. Flow is even quicker and easier than at cPanel. PHP MYAdmin user extra features just 2 raws below. I like how the same thing is done in CyberPanel too. Both panels do it better than cPanel but I find I can do it as cPanel faster since I'm used it for a very long time. Plus if you have been a cPanel user for a long time then you find wonder why my admin is not there. It's because 3 panels have different ways of arranging features.

Python / Node.js Installers

I find this is something really cool. There is a one-click setup process for each of these programs. It's not available by default in either cPanel or Cyberpanel. You can install it using the terminal for the cyber panel but not sure about cPanel. I know not many need this but I like it. I haven't tried It yet though.

Script Installer / Softaculous

Softaculous is usually available with cPanel and DirectAdmin. I install WP manually so it's been a while since I have used it. It's a cakewalk once you figure how to set the paths etc and very easy. CyberPanel has its own script installer and it's not bad either but not advanced as Softaculous.

PHP Options -

DirectAdmin has PHP Info options and selecting PHP version under Select PHP Version. It different from cPanel and Cyberpanel but not hard to figure if you are a first-timer but experienced hosting user. Also, there are more options in PHP Settings under accounts manager.

Conclusion -

Clearly, cPanel has a truckload of more options and features than DirectAdmin. But not every hosting user need more of these. I have been using cPanel for more than 10 years and there are options I haven't even touched yet. DirectAdmin has everything you need to run a website or websites. It's simple and easy to use for the average web hosting users. I only look at this panel as someone like that and I couldn't find a single thing that might make your life hard. So I would say DirectAdmin would be a perfect alternative for cPanel shared hosting users.]]> [b]phoenixwolf [/b]from BladeNode Hosting for letting us test their DirectAdmin Shared Hosting. Since the cPanel keep increasing their prices it's a good idea to find a good alternative just in case. Right now DirectAdmin is the next best-paid hosting panel in the market. It's not at the same level as cPanel but if there might be a day we have to migrate if cPanel keeps increasing their prices.

It's been a long time since the last time I used DirectAdmin and looks like they have improved the interface and feature. I don't remember having too many problems with DirectAdmin as an average shared hosting user. The interface was neat and simple. I had all the basic functions I needed there so I had nothing to complain about. I have used many free panels in past and right now I use Cyberpanel. I also I do use cPanel on one of my servers.

Interface - User Friendliness

I really do love the new DirectAdmin interface. The first cluster of options is called Account Manager. It has all the basic options we need to work on when we are setting up a website. Like Domain Setup, SSL, FTP, MYSQL Management, PHP Settings, HotLink Protection, Site Redirections, etc. At cPanel, these options are clustered with related features rather than priorities. So you need to go all over the place to find options. At CyberPanel this is even bit harder in a way.

MySQL Management

Everything you need about databases cant be found under this. Flow is even quicker and easier than at cPanel. PHP MYAdmin user extra features just 2 raws below. I like how the same thing is done in CyberPanel too. Both panels do it better than cPanel but I find I can do it as cPanel faster since I'm used it for a very long time. Plus if you have been a cPanel user for a long time then you find wonder why my admin is not there. It's because 3 panels have different ways of arranging features.

Python / Node.js Installers

I find this is something really cool. There is a one-click setup process for each of these programs. It's not available by default in either cPanel or Cyberpanel. You can install it using the terminal for the cyber panel but not sure about cPanel. I know not many need this but I like it. I haven't tried It yet though.

Script Installer / Softaculous

Softaculous is usually available with cPanel and DirectAdmin. I install WP manually so it's been a while since I have used it. It's a cakewalk once you figure how to set the paths etc and very easy. CyberPanel has its own script installer and it's not bad either but not advanced as Softaculous.

PHP Options -

DirectAdmin has PHP Info options and selecting PHP version under Select PHP Version. It different from cPanel and Cyberpanel but not hard to figure if you are a first-timer but experienced hosting user. Also, there are more options in PHP Settings under accounts manager.

Conclusion -

Clearly, cPanel has a truckload of more options and features than DirectAdmin. But not every hosting user need more of these. I have been using cPanel for more than 10 years and there are options I haven't even touched yet. DirectAdmin has everything you need to run a website or websites. It's simple and easy to use for the average web hosting users. I only look at this panel as someone like that and I couldn't find a single thing that might make your life hard. So I would say DirectAdmin would be a perfect alternative for cPanel shared hosting users.]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-BladeNode-DirectAdmin-Hosting Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:33:41 +0000 tbelldesignco]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-BladeNode-DirectAdmin-Hosting for setting up this amazing offer for the Post4VPS Community and extending the BladeNode services to us. This review will walk everyone through my initial thoughts of DirectAdmin and some of the great things I have been able to accomplish with this hosting opportunity since getting into it. 

DirectAdmin
Now this is the first I have used DirectAdmin and I am honestly very impressed with the panel as a whole. It is snappy and responsive on all of my devices from my MacBook down to my iPhone. I am able to login and manage the hosting anywhere in the world. As a power users, I value security and one thing that I noticed when I first logged in was the ability to set up Multi-Factor Authentication and as a frequent flyer of this security protocol I was very happy to see that this was an additional layer of security offered in the panel.

The features I am really enjoying are the FileManager, SQL Database Manager and the PHP Version Manager. These systems are very similar to the interfaces found in cPanel, but they don't come with some of the bulk that cPanel has in some of their interfaces. 

- File Manager - The manager is very responsive and intuitive once you get in there and start playing, one thing I think that could be improved on is syntax highlighting, you currently do not have any syntax highlighting in the default text editor in File Manager. I do not think that it is something that is able to implement, but that being said text is legible and there is not any lagging when it comes to entering text.

- SQL Database Manager - The system is super sleek and easy to create a database and PHPMyAdmin is my favorite GUI based manager so I have absolutely no critiques for this feature.

- PHP Version Manager - Now this system is almost identical to that found in cPanel you can quickly add PHP Packages and modify your PHP Version with a few clicks of your mouse. One thing that I noticed is that when selecting a PHP Package the check box does not automatically say selected. You must refresh the page to confirm that that Package has been enabled.

My goals:
Now with this opportunity, I am hoping to continue the development of my CMS. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to develop software with the limited storage that way the software is optimized for smaller hosting packages so more developers and web admins have the ability to use my solution! Development is underway with a new framework and I cannot wait for you guys to see it!

Once again, thank you I cannot wait for you to get this into the hands of more customers and I am excited for what the future holds!]]> for setting up this amazing offer for the Post4VPS Community and extending the BladeNode services to us. This review will walk everyone through my initial thoughts of DirectAdmin and some of the great things I have been able to accomplish with this hosting opportunity since getting into it. 

DirectAdmin
Now this is the first I have used DirectAdmin and I am honestly very impressed with the panel as a whole. It is snappy and responsive on all of my devices from my MacBook down to my iPhone. I am able to login and manage the hosting anywhere in the world. As a power users, I value security and one thing that I noticed when I first logged in was the ability to set up Multi-Factor Authentication and as a frequent flyer of this security protocol I was very happy to see that this was an additional layer of security offered in the panel.

The features I am really enjoying are the FileManager, SQL Database Manager and the PHP Version Manager. These systems are very similar to the interfaces found in cPanel, but they don't come with some of the bulk that cPanel has in some of their interfaces. 

- File Manager - The manager is very responsive and intuitive once you get in there and start playing, one thing I think that could be improved on is syntax highlighting, you currently do not have any syntax highlighting in the default text editor in File Manager. I do not think that it is something that is able to implement, but that being said text is legible and there is not any lagging when it comes to entering text.

- SQL Database Manager - The system is super sleek and easy to create a database and PHPMyAdmin is my favorite GUI based manager so I have absolutely no critiques for this feature.

- PHP Version Manager - Now this system is almost identical to that found in cPanel you can quickly add PHP Packages and modify your PHP Version with a few clicks of your mouse. One thing that I noticed is that when selecting a PHP Package the check box does not automatically say selected. You must refresh the page to confirm that that Package has been enabled.

My goals:
Now with this opportunity, I am hoping to continue the development of my CMS. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to develop software with the limited storage that way the software is optimized for smaller hosting packages so more developers and web admins have the ability to use my solution! Development is underway with a new framework and I cannot wait for you guys to see it!

Once again, thank you I cannot wait for you to get this into the hands of more customers and I am excited for what the future holds!]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-Review-1-DirectAdmin-File-Manager-and-mySQL Sun, 03 Jan 2021 20:50:04 +0000 deanhills]]> https://post4vps.com/Thread-BladeNode-Review-1-DirectAdmin-File-Manager-and-mySQL recently advertised for beta tester volunteers to help test his shared hosting accounts with DirectAdmin Panel.  Due to the recent hike in cPanel prices, Bladenode.com is hoping to completely replace his over 1200 cPanel accounts worldwide with DirectAdmin.

Like Phoenix, I haven't used DirectAdmin in years, so was eager to see what changes, if any, there have been, and how DirectAdmin compares with not only cPanel, but CyberPanel - a recent alternative to cpanel I experienced and has me very enthusiastic. CyberPanel for me is the equivalent of cPanel without all of its messiness.  So this review will include a comparison with both cPanel and CyberPanel.

If you want to check out my hosting with BladeNode DirectAdmin then you can check it here - it will be a work in progress:
http://directadminlessons.6srv.net/

And with Cyberpanel you can check the WP Installation that was created here - also a work in progress:
http://deanhills.net/

I've decided to do a series of reviews giving different parts of the DirectAdmin Panel a workout.  This review will be of File Manager and mySQL.

First of all, the DirectAdmin Panel looks completely different to the one I remember of a few years ago.  It looks a bit more like cPanel, however I regret to say, it's not as neatly set out as cPanel nor as intuitive and brilliant as Cyberpanel.   Not sure whether this can be fixed with a different template.  From what I can remember from my previous use of DirectAdmin there were a number of templates available.  But at that time already some of the templates were buggy, meaning every one preferred the old template as the templates could have bugs in them.  Hopefully with the new look current DirectAdmin Panel there are options for BladeNode to develop its own brand of DirectAdmin and to organize the order and layout of the icons better.   With my first use of CyberPanel I didn't have to look for anything.  With my first use now of DirectAdmin I was looking and feeling my way around all of the time.  It felt both clumsy and time consuming compared with my first experience of using CyberPanel, the latter experience of which was completely intuitive and at finger tips.

WordPress Experience
The first test for DirectAdmin with my hosting with Phoenix was to give the File Manager a workout by installing my WordPress installation manually.  That means that I downloaded the script from WordPress, extracted it in my computer.  Then zipped the files and folders for uploading to the root folder of my new sub-domain.  I also needed to create a database, so that would give me the experience of using mySQL in DirectAdmin

File Manager
For File Manager user-friendliness, ease and speed of use I score CyberPanel highest - 10/10, cPanel 8/10 and DirectAdmin 6/10. I remember when I was previously learning how to use DirectAdmin my main criticism vs cpanel was that the links were not as intuitive.  One had to figure them out and learn how to use them.  This is the same with the current File Manager.  I'm used to getting all of the functions that are available for working with the file as logically and instinctively possible. I'm also used to a detailed menu of options on top of the File Manager Window - which is not directly available in DirectAdmin.  One has to look for them in the DirectAdmin File Manager with a scroll down tool here and there. If you click on a file in the File Manager of DirectAdmin, only some of the functions are available on right click.  One then has to learn to hover the mouse over the file instead to get a full list of file manager options.  

I prefer to use File Manager to FTP, as it usually is fastest for me, particularly when I want to do quick edits.  cPanel has always been excellent that way (as is CyberPanel), in that there is an option on top of the File Manager Menu with which to edit files.  Reason I prefer the File Manager for edits is that sometimes with FTP bugs can slip in after the file has been edited and saved.  When one does that in File Manager online there is less of a chance for that to happen.  It also speeds things up.  Unfortunately I was unable to get DirectAdmin file editor to work.  I assume it is the function that is available on rightclick that says "Edit in New Tab".  It wouldn't do it for me.  I'm sure it's probably possible and that one has to figure out something else that needs to happen before it can be edited, but with both cPanel and CyberPanel it's effortless.  Again with DirectAdmin it's clumsy in my experience.

These in summary were the lessons I learned with DirectAdmin tonight:

Lesson 1:  to find all of the options for managing a file, hover the mouse over the file and right-click over it.
Lesson 2:  to upload files you have to navigate to the top menu (next to BladeNode logo) and click on  "upload".
Lesson 3:  "Edit in New Tab" doesn't work for me - probably need to ask why - maybe there is something that needs to happen first?

So for me DirectAdmin File Manager compared with both cPanel and CyberPanel failed at being intuitive or user-friendly. It's a learned experience.  Possibly one can "Edit in New Tab", but again that would be a learned experience too, whereas with cPanel and CyberPanel there is nothing to think about - most of everything is instinctive and intuitive.  Particularly CyberPanel has everything just in the right spot intuitively and also sparsely.  With cPanel there are so many tools that are never used, taking up space that distract the mind from the tools that are regularly used.  With CyberPanel the focus is to have as few tools as possible to speed up and declutter the panel.  Now maybe most of the cPanel users aren't really using File Manager and prefer to use FTP.  So then possibly one doesn't have to worry about this deficiency as much.  Also, once one is used to how the File Manager works in DirectAdmin, maybe it won't be a problem after a few times of use.  One will get used to it ..... until the next time of use.


mySQL experience
For mySQL I score cPanel highest - 10/10, CyberPanel 9/10 and DirectAdmin 6/10.

When I created my WP installation manually, first thing I did was to create a database using the DirectAdmin Panel.  There is one link and icon to "MySQL Management" in DirectAdmin but very little to "manage" in it. Just two tools to create and delete database/database user. First thing that struck and puzzled me was the absence of phpmyAdmin.  I'm still wondering whether I missed it somewhere as I searched through the panel, wondering whether phpmyadmin was in a different section of the panel, but could not find it.

I really like mysql of cpanel, but cyberpanel is excellent too with less tools.  I only score CyberPanel one point less as I like the added details for mySQL in cpanel although one doesn't really need all of them.  CyberPanel also has phpmyadmin.  DirectAdmin doesn't have phpmyadmin.  Possibly it can still be added?  If I missed it and it is there, apologies in advance.]]> recently advertised for beta tester volunteers to help test his shared hosting accounts with DirectAdmin Panel.  Due to the recent hike in cPanel prices, Bladenode.com is hoping to completely replace his over 1200 cPanel accounts worldwide with DirectAdmin.

Like Phoenix, I haven't used DirectAdmin in years, so was eager to see what changes, if any, there have been, and how DirectAdmin compares with not only cPanel, but CyberPanel - a recent alternative to cpanel I experienced and has me very enthusiastic. CyberPanel for me is the equivalent of cPanel without all of its messiness.  So this review will include a comparison with both cPanel and CyberPanel.

If you want to check out my hosting with BladeNode DirectAdmin then you can check it here - it will be a work in progress:
http://directadminlessons.6srv.net/

And with Cyberpanel you can check the WP Installation that was created here - also a work in progress:
http://deanhills.net/

I've decided to do a series of reviews giving different parts of the DirectAdmin Panel a workout.  This review will be of File Manager and mySQL.

First of all, the DirectAdmin Panel looks completely different to the one I remember of a few years ago.  It looks a bit more like cPanel, however I regret to say, it's not as neatly set out as cPanel nor as intuitive and brilliant as Cyberpanel.   Not sure whether this can be fixed with a different template.  From what I can remember from my previous use of DirectAdmin there were a number of templates available.  But at that time already some of the templates were buggy, meaning every one preferred the old template as the templates could have bugs in them.  Hopefully with the new look current DirectAdmin Panel there are options for BladeNode to develop its own brand of DirectAdmin and to organize the order and layout of the icons better.   With my first use of CyberPanel I didn't have to look for anything.  With my first use now of DirectAdmin I was looking and feeling my way around all of the time.  It felt both clumsy and time consuming compared with my first experience of using CyberPanel, the latter experience of which was completely intuitive and at finger tips.

WordPress Experience
The first test for DirectAdmin with my hosting with Phoenix was to give the File Manager a workout by installing my WordPress installation manually.  That means that I downloaded the script from WordPress, extracted it in my computer.  Then zipped the files and folders for uploading to the root folder of my new sub-domain.  I also needed to create a database, so that would give me the experience of using mySQL in DirectAdmin

File Manager
For File Manager user-friendliness, ease and speed of use I score CyberPanel highest - 10/10, cPanel 8/10 and DirectAdmin 6/10. I remember when I was previously learning how to use DirectAdmin my main criticism vs cpanel was that the links were not as intuitive.  One had to figure them out and learn how to use them.  This is the same with the current File Manager.  I'm used to getting all of the functions that are available for working with the file as logically and instinctively possible. I'm also used to a detailed menu of options on top of the File Manager Window - which is not directly available in DirectAdmin.  One has to look for them in the DirectAdmin File Manager with a scroll down tool here and there. If you click on a file in the File Manager of DirectAdmin, only some of the functions are available on right click.  One then has to learn to hover the mouse over the file instead to get a full list of file manager options.  

I prefer to use File Manager to FTP, as it usually is fastest for me, particularly when I want to do quick edits.  cPanel has always been excellent that way (as is CyberPanel), in that there is an option on top of the File Manager Menu with which to edit files.  Reason I prefer the File Manager for edits is that sometimes with FTP bugs can slip in after the file has been edited and saved.  When one does that in File Manager online there is less of a chance for that to happen.  It also speeds things up.  Unfortunately I was unable to get DirectAdmin file editor to work.  I assume it is the function that is available on rightclick that says "Edit in New Tab".  It wouldn't do it for me.  I'm sure it's probably possible and that one has to figure out something else that needs to happen before it can be edited, but with both cPanel and CyberPanel it's effortless.  Again with DirectAdmin it's clumsy in my experience.

These in summary were the lessons I learned with DirectAdmin tonight:

Lesson 1:  to find all of the options for managing a file, hover the mouse over the file and right-click over it.
Lesson 2:  to upload files you have to navigate to the top menu (next to BladeNode logo) and click on  "upload".
Lesson 3:  "Edit in New Tab" doesn't work for me - probably need to ask why - maybe there is something that needs to happen first?

So for me DirectAdmin File Manager compared with both cPanel and CyberPanel failed at being intuitive or user-friendly. It's a learned experience.  Possibly one can "Edit in New Tab", but again that would be a learned experience too, whereas with cPanel and CyberPanel there is nothing to think about - most of everything is instinctive and intuitive.  Particularly CyberPanel has everything just in the right spot intuitively and also sparsely.  With cPanel there are so many tools that are never used, taking up space that distract the mind from the tools that are regularly used.  With CyberPanel the focus is to have as few tools as possible to speed up and declutter the panel.  Now maybe most of the cPanel users aren't really using File Manager and prefer to use FTP.  So then possibly one doesn't have to worry about this deficiency as much.  Also, once one is used to how the File Manager works in DirectAdmin, maybe it won't be a problem after a few times of use.  One will get used to it ..... until the next time of use.


mySQL experience
For mySQL I score cPanel highest - 10/10, CyberPanel 9/10 and DirectAdmin 6/10.

When I created my WP installation manually, first thing I did was to create a database using the DirectAdmin Panel.  There is one link and icon to "MySQL Management" in DirectAdmin but very little to "manage" in it. Just two tools to create and delete database/database user. First thing that struck and puzzled me was the absence of phpmyAdmin.  I'm still wondering whether I missed it somewhere as I searched through the panel, wondering whether phpmyadmin was in a different section of the panel, but could not find it.

I really like mysql of cpanel, but cyberpanel is excellent too with less tools.  I only score CyberPanel one point less as I like the added details for mySQL in cpanel although one doesn't really need all of them.  CyberPanel also has phpmyadmin.  DirectAdmin doesn't have phpmyadmin.  Possibly it can still be added?  If I missed it and it is there, apologies in advance.]]>