I’m only posting this because, even a couple of hours after the chat, I’m still frankly bemused and left to wonder: Am I not explaining this right? How many different ways can I ask the same question?
*Note: you’ll only find this of any interest whatsoever if you’re a web geek. If not, move along…
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‘Sharon G’ says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
Me: Hi. I’m setting up our website on an Earthlink hosted account. We have not yet transferred over our domain name, as we wish to first verify and test the new site on the new account. Until then, we are leaving our old account active. In the interim, as we test, what URL may we type in order to view our Earthlink hosted account in a web browser, given that our actual domain directs to our old existing site?
Sharon G: Hello, Please give me a moment to read your message.
Sharon G: Thank you for staying on hold.
Sharon G: I am sorry for the delay.
Sharon G: I understand that your domain is transferred form another provider to EarthLink. And you want to check the domain is working or not. Am I correct?
Me: Um, no. We have set up an Earthlink hosting account. We have another hosting account where are domain currently resides. We will transfer the domain name once we have verified that the site is up and tested. SO, I need a URL of the Earthlink hosted account, be it server address or other, where I can actually view the test account. Once we have done all of our testing on the new account and are sure we have the site running correctly, then we will contact Network Solutions and transfer the domain. Make sense? So, I need an address where I can view my site which doesn’t need our domain name.
Sharon G: I understand your concern.
Sharon G: I am sorry to say you, but but you need to contact our Web Hosting phone support to resolve it. Because, it is the something that can be done from our server end. As a Live Chat representative, I do not have privileges to access it due to security reasons. Please call our Web Hosting customer service at 800-955-0186
Sharon G: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: Actually, it doesn’t technically have to involve server access. In most instances, as I understand it, the URL would be something like:
Me: http://earthlink.net/hostaccount/yadda/yadda/index.html
Me: If I still need to dial in and speak to a rep, I understand.
Me: Again, we’re just talking about viewing. I already have ftp access.
Sharon G: Are you referring to Control center of the domain?
Me: No, I don’t think so. I’ve been to my control center. What I’m actually hoping to get is an actual, physical URL that I can type into a browser which will let me view our site, that is irrespective of our domain name, which currently points elsewhere. Make sense?
Sharon G: Yes, please let me know your domain name to pull up your account.
Me: [theactualdomainwehavebeentalkingabout].org
Sharon G: Thank you for the information.
Sharon G: Please use the link given below to access your website.
Sharon G: http://www.[the actual domain we have been talking about].org/index.htm
Sharon G: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: That actually won’t work, as our domain name currently directs to another provider. We won’t be switching over the domain name until the Earthlink account is up and running. So, typing in that URL will only take me to our old account with Charter. See? That’s why I need the URL of the server address at Earthlink.
Me: I do appreciate your patience in this matter. =)
Sharon G: I understand your concern. But I see that your domain is already released from our portal .Name servers for the domain are se to WEBHOSTING.COM
Sharon G: *set to WEBHOSTING.COM
Sharon G: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: Right. Looking at the WHOIS with NetSol shows that the domain name points to SBC servers. Which is where it will stay until we test the new account with Earthlink. See, we are coming TO Earthlink FROM SBC (Sorry, I think I said Charter earlier). But first we need to test it. And to do that, we need a viewable URL on the Earthlink Server.
Sharon G: I am sorry to say you, but you need to contact our Phone support regarding this. This can be accusable form our server end.
Me: I’m not entirely sure what that last part means.
Sharon G: I am sorry to say you, but but you need to contact our Web Hosting phone support to resolve it. Because, it is the something that can be done from our server end. As a Live Chat representative, I do not have privileges to access it due to security reasons. Please call our Web Hosting customer service at 800-955-0186
Me: Alrighty. Thanks.
Sharon G: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: I don’t think so.