Also, is there a TEMPORARY URL that is used until I am ready to actually transfer domain name and make website live?

I develop using something like beta.[domain].[tld] then when approved and ready move either the files to the correct "live" path (adjusting the site.php if you need different DB details) or just change the webserver to use the "live" name.

No sure how others do it, I don't think I've seen a best practices document on this subject.

The Concrete5 book by Remo Laubacher has a chapter on deployment (approx 20 pages). The book is based on version 5.4, but still relevant and well worth the $ IMO.

I don't want to touch the domain name until the new site is ready to go. The current site is already hosted somewhere else. I want to develop the new version on C5's hosting servers and transfer the domain name when the new site is ready.

I guess when you setup a C5 hosting package you specify which URL/Domain you want for your site, so just add the real thing

Leave the Public DNS records as they are, but change the "Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts" file on your computer (assuming windows here for the moment), and add a line like...

ip address of c5 hosting server The domain/url you want to direct
Example:

Reboot, then when you use your computer and access my.customer.site
you computer will first read the 'hosts' file to resolve the IP address of the server, rather than using which ever DNS service configured to your network adapter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)...


When the customer is ready to switch, then change the public DNS record to point to the new C5 hosting server.

Does that make sense?

It would if I was developing locally, but I'm just asking if C5 Hosting uses a temporary URL structure like most other hosts do until such time as the domain is actually pointed to their servers.

I can't help any further as I don't use C5 hosting. Probably best to email Franz.

Yes, we give you a URL you can build at before pointing the domain at it.

Yes, it's fast. We're certainly not perfect, but obviously we know how
concrete5 works and we're never going to tell you "I think there's a
PHP script eating a lot of memory on your site."

No, it's not built the same way c5host is.


best wishes

Franz Maruna
CEO - concrete5.org
http://about.me/frz

Thanks, frz. Since c5host is set up differently, I'll work locally first (makes sense, anyway).

Question if you work with MAMP:
my site is lickety-split FAST working locally on MAMP but it freaking CRAWLS on Pair.com hosting. Is there any real reason it should be such a difference? MAMP is still running a server and everything; I can't image the slowness I see on Pair has anything to do with my broadband connection, right? They just have a crap set-up?

Could be a slow hard drive, not enough memory, etc.

It's their server setup vs. yours.

Could be apache, php, mysql settings, you name it.

best wishes

Franz Maruna
CEO - concrete5.org
http://about.me/frz

Concrete5 hosting is absolutely fantastic. If I were you; I wouldn't hesitate to get their hosting package.
It's their CMS and they know what they are doing with it (better than anyone else). Also, when it comes to customer service; you simply won't get better! Those guys deserve a medal! :)

I don't know for sure, but I suspect the 'Instant Setup' runs in a similar way the $45 hosting package.

You can try an Instant account here:

http://www.concrete5.org/about/trial/...