Microsoft No Longer Offering Custom Domain Hosting

In my last post I discussed the problems I've had with Microsoft's Live Domain hosting for email. As it turns out, I think I fell into the period where they were winding down support for their service anyways. As of a few days ago, Microsoft is no longer offering custom domain hosting for email as a free service. Like Google, they have opted to monetize the service.

I'm fairly pleased with Zoho's service so far...however, I have encountered one issue when it comes to their support. They offer 5 email accounts for free, and offer bonus accounts when you refer other domains. I have added a secondary domain successfully and received the bonus accounts. However, I have not received the bonus accounts for the second domain that I referred (maybe because they realize it was another domain owned by me). Fortunately I do have a couple of smaller potential clients that I will be setting up sites for so I can probably gain the needed additional users I need for one of my larger client's base.

Google Apps Alternatives

Since Google decided to no longer offer a free version of their Apps suite there has been a void that has been difficult to fill. I've been aware of numerous paid options, but trying to find a free option has been difficult - especially one that has the capabilities that are similar to those offered by Google.

Most recently, I opted to use Microsoft's Live Domains offerings. Not only do they offer mail, but the account ties in with their OneDrive cloud storage, and Office Online. However, there is one glaring issue that I could not deal with. The ability to reset user passwords is not available upon setup, and the only way to obtain this capability is to post in the user forums (not easy to find) and hope that a moderator gets around to (1) viewing your post, and (2) responding to you and setting up the capability.

It was nearly a month between when I posted in the forums before I got a response, and then their moderator seemed to be unclear as to whether my domains were registered with Microsoft's domains.live.com. After almost another week, I opted to leave Microsoft and head over to Zoho.

Zoho offers 5 email accounts, each with 5GB of space. They offer their own document suite, complete with dropbox synchronization. The also offer up to 15 additional "bonus" accounts for referring others to use their services.

So far, I'd say I'm pleased with their offerings.

Long overdue updates...

I'm in serious need of updating my site, so expect some changes soon.

I've been in the process of setting up a few sites for a few friends. First off, you've got The Box, which is owned by Jon Tan (a.k.a. Jon Box) - an eclectic collective of performers and artists who are working to build a thriving art & music community in Erie.

Then you also have Jenna Colby. She's an amazing artist (or paint slinger, as she prefers) that I'm so grateful to have gotten to know and start sharing my life with.  I highly recommend checking out her stuff...and not just because I'm dating the artist.

I've got a few more potential clients in the works, so there may be even more updates before too long!