I think I already know the answer but I gotta ask...

[Sheila]

I just setup a new client's site at www.newslettersandmore.net/~atoc. I'm planning to develop the site there and not redirect the DNS until design is complete. I've installed Gallery and the FAQ scripts via Fantastico and want to set them up. They're there, however, I can't log into them to start setting them up because, of course, they're looking for the files at www.atoc.com. Can you think of any way around this? Both scripts come up to their entry pages at the ~atoc address but neither will let me take the next step (to log in) so I can begin setting them up. If I set them up at hoffmangraphics.com/atoc I don't know if I'd have a way to transfer over what I'd done.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Sheila

[allendick]

What I do is set up the new site at P-Z, but don't set the registrar's DNS pointers to it. Thus it is not visible except using P-Z DNS look-up.

Then I set my personal DNS servers to use 209.51.153.186 and 187.


I can then use the site and edit. I suppose anyone else using P-Z DNS servers for look-up for browsing would see it, but no problem.

allen

[Sheila]

Allen:

I don't know how to do what you're suggesting. But I'm not sure it would help. I can already post and edit the rest of my site. The issue is the paths in the installed scripts are looking for the final url that is not yet resolved. If what you're suggesting will make the scripts work in the interum, then please explain further how to do this.

Thanks,
Sheila

[allendick]

If, as I understand you, you have set up atoc.com already in your reseller account, as atoc.com. Therefore P-Z's DNS servers already point atoc.com requests to that directory, so if your browser is set to use P-Z's DNS look-up, instead of your ISP's DNS, your browser, editor and all, will see atoc.com when you type in http://www.atoc.com.

Your scripts and all should run, too, AFAIK. It is just that the world will not see the site until you point other DNS servers to it.

I used the /~... address a time or two, then figured out to just the domain name and use P-Z's nameservers as DNS look-up.

I was using dial-up at the time, so specifying DNS was easy, but with high-speed, I imagine your just go to the TCP/IP properties and specify 209.51.153.186 and 209.51.153.187.

That's always worked for me, anyhow.

allen

[allendick]

I guess I should add that the only thing that changes when you decide to point your registrar to the P-Z name servers is that the whole world will consult them when looking for atoc.com and what they know will not be secret anymore.

allen

[allendick]

Okay. I'm confused.

There already is an atoc.com out there and the new site you are building is not in your reseller account, so I think I am totally missing what you are doing.

allen

[edwurster]

Originally Posted by Sheila

I just setup a new client's site at www.newslettersandmore.net/~atoc. I'm planning to develop the site there and not redirect the DNS until design is complete. I've installed Gallery and the FAQ scripts via Fantastico and want to set them up. They're there, however, I can't log into them to start setting them up because, of course, they're looking for the files at www.atoc.com. Can you think of any way around this? Both scripts come up to their entry pages at the ~atoc address but neither will let me take the next step (to log in) so I can begin setting them up. If I set them up at hoffmangraphics.com/atoc I don't know if I'd have a way to transfer over what I'd done.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Sheila

I think the best answer for each script may depend on what scripts you have installed. Some scripts allow you to change the directory from the admin panel. But again, it depends on the script. It could be something easy, or difficult. You could install to your main website, and then move the customizations later.

[TechWeasel]

No Allen (I think) was correct that his suggestion is the best way. I think Sheila just didn't want to re-direct from the old host (the existing atoc.com) to the new one, until she had finished a redesign.

Sheila, Allan is correct that you can force your computer to use a specific DNS server (in this case th PZ DNS server - which already thinks ATOC.com is located at the new site (whenever you add an account, the PZ DNS updates)). So if your force your computer to use that the site (for your computer, and your computer alone) will behave just as if you had already updated the domain record to point to the PZ Nameservers.

I don't think choosing a specific DNS is hard in XP... but as a Mac guy I don't have the foggiest idea how to do it... anyone?

[allendick]

On dial-up, I just created a copy of the connectoid and changed the DNS TCP/IP properties under the networking tab from "obtain DNS server address automatically", to my preferred servers, namely 209.51.153.186 and ...187

I see I can do the same thing to my wireless connection.

FWIW, except for the fact I can see my new P-Z sites the instant I create them -- even if I have not registered the domain , I never know that I am using these DNS servers. The rest of the 'net is just as ever.

allen