DreamHost recently made a huge critical error. They billed all of their customers for 1 year in advance when performing software updates on their billing system. This caused their customer’s accounts to have anywhere from $200 to $700 withdrawn from their accounts. This could be a huge problem for DreamHost’s credibility all around.

First of all, they sent out an email to every one of their customers explaining that they have just been robbed and that the money will be refunded. They also blamed the guy thats responsible and linked to his image.

http://blog.dreamhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/josh2.jpg

To read the email sent to their customers check out:

http://www.dreamhoststatus.com/2008/01/15/billing-issues/

The fact alone that the image of the guy who DreamHost trusted to make critical billing software related duties, is a guy without a shirt and has not shaved in days, is mind boggling. It makes you wonder who is running their servers with your business on it. Its frightening to even think about it.

They took it a step further and joked about it on their blog.

http://blog.dreamhost.com

There is a picture of homer simpson with a fat finger. DreamHost’s customers are now going to have to deal with their credit card company and explain DreamHost’s screw up, and all DreamHost can do is joke about it. I guess they think their customers are really stupid and the only way they can explain this massive screw up is with homer simpson. If you are running a professional business and the company you are trusting tries to joke about a major billing issue, do you think that will erase the fact that you now have to spend time dealing with banks. I am not a credit card professional but I think that credit card companies may contact the credit burros when you go over the credit limit. Even if it didn’t, not all people know that and may worry. People will now run legit charge backs on their credit cards.

Another downfall from this disaster is that people will then not trust DreamHost’s Automated billing system. They will set it on manual payment and this will make it harder for DreamHost to collect funds.

I personally never used their services, but I read some horror stories online. Its amazing that they even had that many customers when your advertising campaign is a fat kid sleeping on the couch. Is their admins fat kids sleeping on couches.

http://blog.dreamhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/dh8.JPG

There are much better companies out there. I was amazed by this guy going on and on about them:

http://www.upstartblogger.com/why-dreamhost-sucks

If you are with DreamHost, I would recommend saving yourself some problematic issues, and some headaches by just getting your refund and leave.

I usually do not write negative posts, but this issue is too big to ignore it. It is just my opinion. Check out the their blog and look at all their pissed off customers.

I have news for all the Linux Admin’s out there. Do you want to work for an amazing web hosting company? A very popular web hosting company came to me and asked me to find them some talented individuals.

Here is some of the company benefits.

• Free lunch provided daily to employees
• $5000 Relocation Assistance
• Competitive compensation
• Up to 3 weeks paid Vacation
• Relaxed, but professional environment
• Flexible scheduling
• No dress code
• Medical/Dental/Vision packages available
• Relocation assistance for those who qualify
• Company outings (ex. Paintball)
• Fitness Gym
• Game Room with a Air Hockey, Ping Pong and Pool Table
• Triple monitor work station for all system admins

They are a great company with great reputation. If you can follow any of the following requirements, email me at webhostingjobs@learncpanel.com with your resume and we can schedule an interview and I can release the companies name.

If you are very good with linux and live in another state other than Texas, I can see if they can fly you to the headquarters for the interview.

Job Description:

1. Providing technical support for Level I-III issues via helpdesk and telephone.
2. Monitoring servers for stability and taking proactive measures to correct issues.
3. Assisting fellow Administrators and Support Representatives with technical support issues
4. Assisting clients in transfering accounts to our servers.
5. Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining services such as Apache,Mysql, and Exim

Required Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal skills in the English language to communicate effectively to clients
• Ability to work with a team and follow instruction from supervisors
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Must be dependable to be at work during assigned shifts
• Advanced knowledge of Cpanel/WHM control panel
• Advanced knowledge of the linux operating system
• Knowledge of bash and perl shell scripting
• Flexible Schedule
• Understanding of PHP and HTML
• Understanding of ASP and JSP helpful
• Ability to multitask and meet specific goals set by supervisors
• Experience with documenting procedures
• Advanced knowledge of Apache
• Advanced knowledge of Exim

Once Again. If you are interested in a great job in the web hosting industry send your resume to me at webhostingjobs@learncpanel.com along with your contact information. Thanks I and look forward to hearing from you.

exim -bpc
counts all email in the mail queue

exim -bp
mailq — The mailq is relevant as it gives your the email IDs.

exim -M emailID
force delivery of one message

exim -qf
Force another queue run

exim -qff
Force another queue run and attempt to flush frozen messages

exim -Mvl messageID
View Log for message

exim -Mvb messageID
View Body for message

exim -Mvh messageID
View Header for message

exim -Mrm messageID
ReMove message (no errors sent)

exim -Mg messageID
Give up and fail message, message bounces to sender

To repair a database using the default myisam storage engine use either of the two commands,

mysqlcheck -r databasename

or

myisamchk -f /var/lib/mysql/databasename/*.MYI

To export a database run

mysqldump datbasename > databasename.sql

This will export the database to databasename.sql

To import a database from an sql dump file run

mysql databasename < dumpsqlfilename.sql

This will import the sql file into the database. Once imported you should check to make sure it was correctly imported to do this run

mysql databasename
show tables;

If the you do not see any tables listed then the sql file likely has a USE statement at the top. Edit the sql file with a text editor and comment out the line “USE databasename”. Once commented out attempt to import the data and check the tablesl.