The n00b&more FAQ - last update - #6

Welcome to the n00b&more FAQ!
This is the right place to look in, when you're having an urgent problem. This FAQ is an attempt at merging all the questions that are asked over and over again into one single thread, complete with the answers. Use Ctrl + F and type some keyword in to quickly find what you need, or go all the way through and read the whole thing.
If this doesn't answer your question, go make a thread on it, and report here (link to it). Also, if you believe some common problem or issue isn't covered here, I'd be thankful if you posted a link to it, so the FAQ can grow. Yes, of course you will be credited. wink

Oh, and constructive criticism is more than welcome!

Section I. Starting issues

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What is that MySQL thing? How can I get it?
MySQL is the most common web database system. You need it for most CMSs, blogs, forums you install on your site. You enable MySQL by either buying the upgrade, or by making 350 useful posts in the forum (mostly helping others in the Technical Questions & Website Design, but useful stuff in other sections also counts). Afterwards, submit a support ticket.
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What is a FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a better alternative for the file manager. For using FTP, you will need a FTP client. Try FireFTP (Firefox addon), CoreFTP, CrossFTP, FileZilla or simply Windows Explorer (open any folder on your computer and type in the adressbar "ftp://" (no quotes), followed by your 110mb subdomain (e.g. username.110mb.com). You can then upload and download files to and from your 110mb account. For more help, use the help section of your client.
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What is the deal with the 1-click installer?
The one-click installer allows you to install an application (forum, wiki, blog, CMS) by one click. You can install a total of 5 applications using it. These applications each have a description, and it is shown whether they need MySQL.
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What kinds of applications are available/allowed?
You can install forum, blog, CMS (Content Management System, a fully-featured site with a blog, photo gallery, forum, etc.), photo gallery, e-commerce (selling stuff online), wikis (like Wikipedia) and other kinds of software. Offering hosting (files, blogs, video), torrent related systems, proxies, child porn, and some more (read TOS for full and updated list) is DISALLOWED. Most CMSs can be checked out here.
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Is phpMyAdmin allowed?
Yes, it is. However, 110mb has developed a better alternative, which does everything phpMyAdmin can, and more, all in a better way. Note that the page says phpMyAdmin is banned - it is now allowed, meaning you can use it, but hey, we have 110DB Manager anyways...
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Is Joomla allowed?
Yes, but only if you have bought/unlocked the MySQL upgrade.
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Is co.nr allowed?
No, it's an iframe service and thus disallowed. Use co.cc, they don't require any ads from you and don't use the iframe method.
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What about allowed text characters?
In the filenames, you must not use spaces, non-English characters and capital letters. Everything else is OK. For displaying non-English characters properly, make sure you set the correct charset. If you're unsure, set it to UTF-8.
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What is fsockopen(), how can I get it?
This feature allows you to send out emails from your site. Useful for contact forms, registrations, etc. You can buy it, or unlock by making 30 useful posts in the forum, and then submitting a support ticket.
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Am I allowed to offer warez?
It is already covered in the TOS - the answer is no. Also, avoid using illegally obtained scripts. Anyways, the free ones are often better, especially, if they're open-source.
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Which is better? SQLite or MySQL?
MySQL costs you forum posts or money, but is more powerful. If your script reads more than writes, then SQLite will be enough for you.
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How do I create a SQLite database?
On your computer, make sure the file extensions are visible! (In Windows, it's Tools -> Folder Options -> uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.) Then, create an empty text document, and save it under any name you wish (better without spaces). The file extension must be .db! Then, upload the database to the root folder of your script. For example, if your script is in the root of your site, put the database file there, and if it's in a subfolder (e.g. urname.110mb.com/forum), put it into that folder.

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My site uses some pictures (logo, buttons, etc.), can I host them somewhere else, like on imageshack or tinypic?
Of course you can.
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What about downloads? I have some files I wish to store elsewhere, can I link directly to them from my site?
As long as your file host allows hotlinking, why not.
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Can I put an iframe of another site into my site?
Only of a non-110mb site. You can iframe Google or MSN, or your site on another host, but you can not iframe your other (or anybody else's) 110mb site. You still need the permission from the owner of the other site.
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What forum script is used for the 110mb support forum?
It's SMF (Simple Machines Forum). SMF is free, but version 1.*.* needs MySQL. This version is in the 1-click installer. An alternative is the newest beta version of SMF 2 - it supports SQLite. The new beta is not in the 1-click installer, so click this link to download. Then upload it to your site using the file manager or FTP. At best, use FTP to upload the zip file, and use the file manager to unpack it. Then, follow the included readme.

Section II. How-Tos

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How can I host my own domain? Like myname.com? (thanks to someaznperson)
Read this tutorial, it should answer all of your questions. Remember, no domain is free (except .tk).
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I have a co.cc (sub)domain. How do I make it work with my 110mb site?
Here is a tutorial for this.
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I'm using 110mb's Site Builder. How can I change the background color?
It is specified in the line <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF". FFFFFF is the code for white, but you can use this site to get more codes.
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How can I install modifications (mods) into my SMF?
This guide should help you out.
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How can I thank 110mb?
Nice that you think of it! There are many ways to say thanks. For example, if you have a site, consider leaving the .110mb.com there, instead of replacing it with something shorter. (Not always you can do this, for example, if you run a business site, it's better to have something short, like .co.cc or even .com.) You can also add a banner, ad image, or a simple backlink. Put a link to 110mb in forum signatures on other sites (if allowed), tell about 110mb to all of your friends who are interested in making websites.

Section III. Urgent help needed!

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My site is full of spam comments (entries, posts, submissions, ...)! Help me!
If you use WordPress, try Akismet. This site may help find some PHP-Fusion anti-spam infusions, here are some for SMF, and phpBB users will make some use of this. If these don't help, or you're using a different script, remember, Google is your friend. Most likely you will need to remove the spam content manually, but the anti-spam addons will prevent your site from being spammed in the future.
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I need an IP ban script!
This one should do it.
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My site (or just the MySQL) is down!
Look at the news in the header. Is your problem mentioned there, with a link to the official thread? If not, look here. If still no sign of same problems for others, consider making a topic on the problem.
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My site doesn't pass the W3C!
Clean the code up. Post examples, ask what's wrong with it. To improve your site's rating (if your visitors attempt validating it), you can cheat the validator, of course, it is of no real purpose, but sometimes can be useful. Keep in mind poor code is always poor code.
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My support ticket hasn't been answered for over a week!
Patience. The support team has lots of work, but they sure will reply. Sometimes a problem can take longer to fix than expected. Just wait.
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I can't log into the Site Builder!
Log into your 110mb account's control panel, click the link to the Site Builder, don't touch the already filled password and click the login button.

Section IV. Site owner issues

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Can I change my subdomain? (I have example1.110mb.com but I want it to be called example 2.110mb.com.)
No, but you can transfer your files to the new account. If you have any upgrades, you can request an upgrade transfer. Just remember to back up your MySQL database!

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My site (www.example.110mb.com) takes forever to load!
Don't add the 'www.', when typing your address! It's not only more for you to type, but it also slows the loading down - example.110mb.com is better than www.example.110mb.com. If your site still loads slowly, save your images in a format that keeps the image filesize small, like PNG. Last but not least, clean your code up.

Update 6, 26.08.2009
Minor update, as I have little time and couldn't find much stuff for the FAQ. Added one how-to (the co.cc one) and some help regarding the infamous Site Builder login issue.
Update 5, 30.12.2008
Minor changes and additions. Urgently needed more links to resolved problems.
Update 4, 30.11.2008
Renamed, retitled, changed top message. Some questions added.
Update 3, 23.11.2008
Sorry for the even greater delay. Section IV added, as well as several questions. Some answers reworded.
Update 2, 25.10.2008
Sorry for the delay. Four new questions and Section III (Urgent Help Needed!) have been added. More key words are now bold, as intended at the beginning. Enjoy, and expect future updates! wink

Update 1, 15.10.2008
Thanks to everybody for the help. Section II has been added, it is How-Tos (How-To in plural wink

), as it is pretty important. Only the most common questions will be added here. Stuff everybody could make use of.
Update 0, 14.10.2008
Currently, there's only this one section, and isn't even complete. The list will be kept updated, and new updates will come constantly. Planned sections are Code and Design issues, Use of the Forum, Advertising and Income. These will generally cover most n00b questions flooding the forum. Please, post links to more threads with such questions, and you're also welcome to write ready questions together with their answers. You will be credited in any case.