Re: [cobalt-users] They want FTP access

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kris Dahl wrote:

> Surely, you see the benefits of running a test/qa/staging server?

Yes I am.

> I am not
> aware of any really major sites that don't use a three-tier system.

I am <frown>.  But it depends on what you mean by "major".

> This is why I don't want anything to do with that market--just not worth the
> few bucks a month to do *anything*, let alone gaurente uptime, etc.

Interesting point.  Most of my clients come from this list.  Most of
them are NOT major players.  I'm very happy to be able to offer my
services to people who genuinely need them, no matter what their market
or business plan.

I do charge my price, though it's quite reasonable to most.

> I've got mantra: "There can only be one lowest cost provider, and I don't
> want to be it."

I don't think I am in most cases.  If you've read my posts you
understand that I offer high-end colocation with good bgp connections.

> Oh, I don't upload their stuff for them.  We develop the site on our
> development server, put it on a test server, have the clients evaluate the
> site, test, etc.  We post changes.  On the live date, I don't typically FTP
> directly to the live site.  When I am ready to transfer to a production
> server, I throw the contents into a staging folder(s), and then manually
> move the content or write a script to do it all.  This reduces downtime and
> problems associated with uploading large sites to a live site (it can take a
> a while to upload a site sometimes).

You're doing a complete development cycle.  That's very different than
offering space.  If you're doing a complete development cycle then you
really should have errors and omissions insurance.  IMHO.

> Once its online, they submit major changes requests to us, and manage much
> of the content thru the management interfaces we've built.
> 
> Incidently, I'm not real comfortable with large scale web sites and multiple
> people uploading from this program or that program on a production server.
> Honestly, its too easy to make a mistake.  A three tier system is the only
> way to go.

If the company in question is willing to spend for multiple servers,
yes.  If they want me to include it in the price, well maybe; it depends
on the price.

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672
Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 787-8589  *  fax: (909) 782-0205