TempServers Status Update #2
It's been very quiet around here while we've been focusing on the TempServers project. Last week, I posted an update on the progress of the project and all of the changes that have been or were being made. Since then, all of the mentioned additions have been implemented. This includes user accounts, time zone support, custom configurations, email notifications, as well as some new features that I'll list below. In the coming weeks, the next public beta will be announced where you can try the service for free again for a limited time!
- IP Reservations. When your reservation is confirmed, you will be notified of the IP address the server will use. So you will now know the IP in advanced rather than finding out at the last minute.
- Credits. A credit system has been implemented, where one credit is worth 1 hour of server time. There will be multiple opportunities to gain these credits for free, one of which will be available during the next free beta.
- Support System. There is a simple ticket based support system that can be used for any issues related to the website or servers. This is the preferred way to contact the staff in case something goes wrong.
There are also a number of back end improvements and minor layout adjustments that have been made. Next, we'll be working on finalizing content and testing the site to prepare for the next public test. Stay tuned for details on Beta 2!
TempServers Status Update
This is just a quick update on the status of our TempServers project. After the first public beta, we realized there was much room for improvement, so we went back to the drawing board. The original goal was to create a simple yet powerful user interface that took as few steps as possible to perform each task. With this goal in mind, several parts of the site are undergoing changes to improve the user experience. Here is a brief overview of these changes:
- User Registration. During beta 1, there was no user registration required to use the service. Each server reservation was a sort of user account with its own unique name and password, but we decided this would get annoying, especially to repeat customers. So we decided it would be simpler in the long run to require a user account to reserve servers, with all servers accessible from the same account. This also allows us to save user preferences.
- Time Zone Conversions. Another problem we had to solve was the lack of internal time zone handling. During beta 1, the user had to deal with converting their local time to our server's local time, which does not fit the original goal of user-friendliness. Now during user registration, we ask the user to provide their time zone (we decided it was easier for the users to figure out their own time zone than to think in our time zone). This info allows us to automatically convert times to the user's local time seamlessly. Read about the process here
- Custom Configurations. We also improved the server control panel by allowing the user to add their own configuration options instead of the predefined options.
We are also working on more features such as email notifications, as well as adding more games to the lineup. Stay tuned for more updates!
TempServers Public Beta Launched
TempServers has announced the launch of its public beta. Starting now, the service will be offered for free for a limited time! Visit the site to reserve a server.
There is also an opportunity for beta participants to receive 2 hours of credit by completing a survey. This credit can be used once the service is live.
If you haven't heard, TempServers is a new game server host that will provide game server hosting at hourly rates. It is intended for those who only need a server for a few hours a month.
Coming Soon: TempServers – Hourly Game Server Rentals
It's been pretty quiet here lately, but that's about to change. Most of this time has been put into our latest project called TempServers, which will be opened to the public next week as part of the beta program. This public beta opens January 26th, at which time the service will be provided free of charge for a limited time!
TempServers will provide game server hosting for hourly rates instead of traditional monthly+ rates. If you need a game server only a few times a month, this will be a more cost effective plan since you only pay for the time you need.
LMS New Feature: Email Form
LockMyStuff.com has been updated to version 1.1.0, which introduced an email feature that allows you to email your encrypted text. When you have encrypted your text, you'll see a link to show the email form. You can send the encrypted text (or link if it is stored), along with an optional message. You can also choose to include the encryption key. This feature makes it easier to send your encrypted messages.
Introducing LockMyStuff.com
LockMyStuff.com is a free online encryption service. It allows users to encrypt their text or files using a strong encryption algorithm. The text or files can then be decrypted using the created password. This is handy when you need to securely send sensitive data over unsecure channels. The site also supports storing the text on the server, which allows logging and restricting of access.
The project was started for no particular reason, but now it simply serves as a free online tool as well as way to gain exposure for UltraMega Tech. It was also a good way to practice working with Linux, PHP, MySQL, and AJAX all together in a single application. The site is expected to improve as my skills improve, or as time allows.
More about the internal workings of the site. It is powered by PHP with the MCrypt library. The MCrypt PHP module is used for text encryption and file encryption uses the MCrypt library directly via the system command line. For more details, visit the About page.
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