Tag: Downdetector

Downdetector.com, realtime outage, internet issue resolution management and monitoring application. Download and use today, downdetector.com

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Alpha Numeric Domain Salad

Fix Domain Problems With ICANN And Domain Name Soup

ICANN Helps with Alpha Numeric Domain Salad

Use The Domain Soup

Finding the right domain name

These days, it’s getting tougher by the minute. All the 3, 4, 5, 6 and some 7- letter combination domains are all gone (purchased). Now, what do I do?

A new year, a new you (business you). Move past the Alpha Numeric Domain Salad (or soup) and keep it simple and short. Questions, arise: Is it time to create a new domain or find an alternative? What’s a domain broker? Whatever the reason, the strategy might be more difficult than you think. With loads of questions, it’s time for a domain buying strategy. More and more our domain strategy is put to the test. Rankings, rage clicks, drops and more… all play a role in our evolving domain buying strategy. Keep ICANN handy, ICANN – stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; on second thought, get to know ICANN and NameCheap.

Try The Soup; Domain Name Soup

Try, the Domain Name Soup app, i.e the soup… I call it. Sometimes, the ‘soup’ is what you need to find a unique name, combination or similar sounding name. Do so with Domain Name Soup. It might help you move past the alpha numeric domain salad.

These days, with AI and old web tools like Domain Name Soup, you might find the trick you need to cover a client’s business name or a service provided in an area of expertise – all not a problem just a few years ago. Let’s start with domain brokers.  We’ve used them, and they are what they are ‘at a price’. Guess who wins in that transaction? Again, unless you’re trying to purchase an existing stable domain, coming out of pocket might be your best bet.

Try Alternative Top Level Domains

Tip: when trying to evaluate your next move, start by finding a registrar. Begin with a few words that you feel represent your brand or influence. Try different domain sub-categories, partial and combined alpha-numeric characters, country codes and more.

We tend to avoid .org’s, .co’s, and other similar options. This may be more of a personal preference, or perhaps a slight nod to nostalgia for early dot.com days. Above all, aim to find something you can truly own for at least a year. Jokes aside, all domains come with an annual expense, whether you like it or not. It’s not the 20s or early 2000s anymore; now it’s all about X (formerly Twitter) handles, IG accounts, TikTok, ChatGPT, and AI algorithms. Find a domain that resonates with you. Consider getting a D.B.A. if needed (consult a lawyer for advice), or simply choose a catchy domain that’s available.

Domains can be pricey and finding the right one isn’t easy, but just find something you can work with and give it a try! In addition to ICANN, which can assist with domain research, consider using domain brokers like NameCheap (a popular registrar) or any of the thousands of others in the market. They can help you find a domain at the best price, that makes the most sense for your needs. Be cautious, as some domain owners prefer to remain private and may not want to be contacted. Be patient and make best decision for your business of brand. 

Other Means of Support

While were fixing things today, let’s share a few other helpful tips. Such as cleaning up URLs, GoDaddy Bounceback services, email deliverability, knowing when to clear the cache, and how to Flush DNS on a Mac/Apple. Additionally,ipconfig /flushdns for Windows, and sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches on Linux.

We’ll also cover how to maintain your digital footprint i.e. activity on the web and what to do when the interwebs are completely down; really down. Choose down detection or learn about where the “web” came from, wayback. These tips are super handy when starting a new website from scratch because eventually, you will come across these issues in one way or another. It’s bound to happen.

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Clean Up URLs

Shortened URLs, Create Clean Links And Remove Unused Accounts

Just Delete Me Account

URLs Shortener, Biw Tinyurl And Cleanup Up

Tech And Tools – Clean Up URLs, Shortening And More

Confirmed, URLs out… Time to clean up URLs. Time to clean up URLs, rid your site of extended URLs and make them cleaner.

An update on URLs (shortener): for the sake of time, we have purge our self-hosted url shortener. We’ve officially dropped the stand alone code from production. Try Tinurl, if you want to use such a service. Use something like the Tinyurl app/website… click here to learn more.

The apps has been around for awhile. Those of who you share links, swap links, etc., know that most companies have some form of URL ‘shortener’. Whether it is Amazon, YouTube or TinyURL themselves. Clean up URLs. Check out this short code via Amazon in this scenario. Scenario: College Kid is looking for a tablet, finds one and would like to share the find with someone, a pretty handy link… This is just a small example of short of the short code game, with a massive eCommerce site like Amazon. The same goes for YouTube share links… Anyhow, at some point, we will circle back to this topic and see if there is something worth investing in.

Before you leave, make sure to check off whatever is next on your to-do list. I’ll share one more tip with you. Hopefully, you are in the mood to clean up or declutter. Try using justdeleteme – “a directory of direct links to delete your account from web services”.You can learn more about it and the benefits of a great purge, Delete – Justdeleteme article. We regularly purge old accounts and social sites as often as we can, and you can do the same. I personally delete and close out old account annually. It’s a great resource getting rid of unused services.

Other Means of Support

While were fixing things today, let’s share a few other helpful tips. Such as finding new domain name ideas, GoDaddy Bounceback services, email deliverability, knowing when to clear the cache, and how to Flush DNS on a Mac/Apple. Additionally,ipconfig /flushdns for Windows, and sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches on Linux.

We’ll also cover how to maintain your digital footprint i.e. activity on the web and what to do when the interwebs are completely down; really down. Choose down detection. These tips are super handy when starting a new website from scratch because eventually, you will come across these issues in one way or another. It’s bound to happen.

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GoDaddy Bounceback Services

Rolling With A Bounceback Service, Clean Up The Email Issues

Bounceback Services vis CheckSpam

Report Your Findings, A Bounceback Option

Tech And Tools – Email Support

Report A Bounceback Error

For those of you using Godaddy for hosting, consider trying GoDaddy Bounceback Services. Visit the Report A Bouncebak Error site for more information. If you need to investigate a rejected or bounceback message, or require more details from your hosting provide, this mini site can be useful, especially when troubleshooting returned emails. The same goes for Hostgator users – HostGator Bounceback Support is available as well.

If you are experiencing email issues, such as emails bouncing back, we encourage you to address the bounceback messages independently. However, proceed with caution and be mindful of the steps and actions you take. The tool requires raw data (source messages data) to function correctly. Moreover, understanding diagnostics, diagnostic system errors, and spam rejections may require some time. Stay patient and persistent.

To do this, open your local mail client suck as Outlook, Apple Mail or Gmail. The mail client app will offer a ‘view’ or ‘view message’ option. Choose to ‘view’ header data on a transmission, including both successful and unsuccessful sends.

If you find yourself in a hypothetical scenario, you may need to review a message that was likely transmitted correctly. This will be beneficial for future troubleshooting, as your familiarity with the interface will be useful. For instance, for those of you using MacOS, follow these steps: Open Mail, Find and Click Mail in Question, with the mail highlighted, Go to View, Scroll Down to Message, Chose either All Headers or Raw Source depending on the service that is requesting it . DIYers can also find online resources to troubleshoot on their own before contacting their hosting affiliate.

Report A Bouneback Error

The GoDaddy Bounceback Services website, also known as the Report A Bounceback Error site, will ask for .EML files from you. Once you have the message headers or raw sources, you will need to provide them to the bounceback tool. Save these files locally, and ensure they are saved in a readable format. Simply rename the files with the requested file type.

Other tools that might help while you’re digging around. Do you fuzz? Screaming Frog or SEMRush? Email issues? MX Toolbox, flush your system and server cache often. Delete old accounts, and clean up the clutter. Fix email risks and issues associated with email services via similar bounceback services.

Simple right? If you can reach get to this point, most Tier 2 or support centers can investigate the email in question in greater detail. Although there is no standard SLA (Service Level Agreement) the typical timeframe is 12-24 hours depending on the order of magnitude; most will respond within a few days, some within a week, assuming limited or non-paid tech support.

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Fuzz

FUZZER, THE FUZZ

URL Fuzzer Pentest

Who Called The Fuzz

Tech And Tools – FUZZ

“WHOOP WHOOP That’s the sound of the” FUZZ

As always, we continue our testing efforts testing apps, websites and consoles We begin with the The URL Fuzzer, GTMetrix, JMeter, LoadRunner, Selenium, validation tools, and Google Admin Console. Testing is currently in progress. As you read this (or when I wrote this post, and hopefully when you read it), testing is ongoing. We hope it’s within the same year (or at least not to far off).

Furthermore, it’s important to ensure that solutions protect our online investments. Pentest and vulnerability scanning tools could be the key to achieving this goal. For storytelling purposes, two test are currently running: one for Pentest-Tools and the other from Scantrics.io. It’s been a few minutes, and so far, there haven’t been any results. This may or may not be a good sign or an indicator of the final outcome.  Let’s also cover Selenium, LoadRunner, JMeter, QTP, HTML/JS ( /PHP Validators, Guru99 and a few others… but let’s start here.

Keep in mind that the tools mentioned are free, so consider this when reviewing the compiled and reported results form the services provider. Free tools may not always provide the complete pictures (meaning you have to pay the premium prior for the full picture), so take them with a grain of salt. It’s advisable  to use multiple tools or consider paying for premium services. Testing with a variety of tools, both free and premium, is essential. How about other tools and code snippets we use to help others? Do you fuzz? Screaming Frog or SEMRush? Email issues? MX Toolbox, flush your system and server cache often. Delete old accounts, clean up the clutter and fix email risks and issues associated with email services.

URLFuzzer, good to test the lite version… Scantrics, good to test lite version… Don’t forget to run your web entities through the toolbox, Toolbox – Google Admin

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Downdetector

We Are Up And Running With Downdetector

Downdetector - Detect Real-time problems and outages

Web Servive Outage!

Tech And Tools – Downdetector, Starlink Teaser

Outage? What’s Up with What’s App? Binance? Online Bank Account? Internet? Online Games?

When the “internet-webs” fail, or aren’t operating as they should… well, the inter-webs has help. Check out Downdetector, great online resource for finding out what’s going on with the web(online games, apps; everything that uses the internet). 

An Insiders View
Downdetector

Downdetector

Downdetector Down Reports

Down Reports

Downdetector Reporting

Detailed Reporting

Downdetector Comments

Comments

More Reporting Detail

Aggregate reporting, reported outages, and a neat heat map of the world showing said outages, slowness etc. Next time you experience a snag in inter-web service, join the ‘outage club’ (a group that manages outage and communicates services issues for the latest, real-time outage reporting and monitoring service. We use it regularly, almost every week, and sometimes daily.  While waiting for Starlink to come on board and receive equipment the website is our go-to for web service, applications or website outages. Other tools in the developer kit, you may want to explore include the FUZZ or give Selenium a try if you’re ready for it. There are many, I’ve just provided a few we use locally to keep services and websites working in optimal capacity.

For a full list of websites, service monitors, check out the 404 list – which lists of all websites monitored by DownDetector. Don’t forget about the wayback machine, internet archive, we posted about the wayback machine about this awhile ago, which is relevant today as we reflect on technology and where it’s going today. As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

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Our Trusted Services

Learn About Our Trusted Services

Our Trusted Services

 A Refined Look At Our Trusted Services

Methodology – Trusted Services

Let’s talk about web-focused services; our trusted services and more. We provide a range of offerings, including design, and development, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, search engine optimization (SEO), web hosting, information technology (IT) services, and technical support. Our expertise also covers analytics, graphic design, and desktop publishing.

Learn About Our Services

We offer customized development services, including a la carte options tailored to your needs. Our services include:

  • Content Management Systems (CMS)
  • Bootstrap development
  • eCommerce solutions
  • Social media integration
  • Usability enhancements

Some notable tools, web applications and SEO soluitions we use include, but are not limited too:

  • Selenium
  • URLFuzz
  • GTmetrix
  • Yoast
  • Google and Bing Webmaster Tools – Tag Manager, Search Console, Removal, Mobile Tools, Video etc.
  • Cache Solutions
  • Screaming Frog
  • Debug Bear
  • Pingdom (Solarwinds)
  • SEMRush

We also provide comprehensive web hosting administration services, utilizing both shared and dedicated hosting solutions, whether on-premise or in the cloud. Our approach ensures you’re fully covered with effective backend hosting management. The management software we use depends on the hosting type and can include tools like FTP, cPanel, or Plesk.

Additionally, we offer:

  • Migration services
  • Backup and restoration
  • SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certification
  • Domain support
Professional experience

Our team has expertise in:

  • Apple MacOS and iOS technical support
  • Google IT Support for operating system configuration (Mac, PC, Linux, and Virtual Machines.
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner
  • Scrum and Scaled Agile Development Frameworks

Finally, we are a design, technology, creative and consulting company dedicated to solving your challenges. Let us help you achieve your goals! If you are interested in learning more about us and our services, feel free to browse our service content. Click here to learn more about our comprehensive services and business solutions.