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When Security Got Heavy
A failed Forgejo push exposed a three-hour server outage. Recent installs like Forgejo and Nextcloud seemed suspicious at first, but diagnostics pointed to an aggressive ImunifyAV scanner. After mitigation, I resized the server and planned safer monitoring. Read More
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Unsupported Should Not Mean Blind
After a DigitalOcean monitoring failure filled my server logs, the final support answer was “unsupported.” This follow-up explains why disabling disk metrics is not enough, and why safer filesystem collection modes could help unusual server environments. Read More
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Solving SSL Before Press
Days before a reporter visited the Restoring the Signal exhibit, I found myself untangling a bizarre SSL certificate problem involving DNS, AutoSSL, browser caching, and cPanel—while also preparing rotary phones, TTY demonstrations, flyers, and interactive storytelling experiences. Read More
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Death by Metrics
For days, my server showed elevated CPU usage while remaining mostly functional. Then websites, WHM, and cPanel suddenly failed. Through SSH, I traced the problem to a runaway DigitalOcean monitoring agent interacting with CloudLinux CageFS, generating nearly 95 GB of endless filesystem metric errors. Read More
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SOA: Authority Misplaced
A stubborn subdomain kept pointing to Bluehost long after migration. It wasn’t propagation or caching—it was a leftover DNS record and inherited authority. Clarity came with rest, and the fix to an SOA record finally revealed itself. Read More
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Breaking Free From Hostinger
Migrating domains, databases, and email from Hostinger to a self-managed cPanel environment revealed hidden challenges in DNS, SQL cleanup, and mail routing. After rebuilding Exim and restructuring directories, the move brought greater control, flexibility, and long-term cost stability. Read More
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The Email Problem in Hosting
Setting up web hosting is straightforward until email enters the picture. Blocked ports, relay services, domain restrictions, and deliverability concerns quickly complicate things, turning what seems simple into one of the most challenging parts of running a reliable hosting environment. Read More
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If You Only Have One Backup, You Have a Problem
Backups aren’t just copies—they’re a layered strategy. By combining local speed, offsite protection, and full system snapshots, you reduce risk, shorten recovery time, and give users control. Each layer serves a purpose, and removing one creates a gap you’ll notice when it matters. Read More
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Building Reliability, Not Just Websites
Moving beyond trial hosting, I began building a dependable foundation—choosing cPanel, CloudLinux, and JetBackup to support real proposals. Inspired by FOIA insights and SBDC guidance, this shift focuses on reliability, isolation, and understanding the true value of infrastructure & time. Read More