Dear Propspective Member,
    [/tab]Recently we've made some changes to our hosting policies - and the changes haven't reflected to all the pages citing requirements to be met for hosting at AstaHost. Hence, I'm making this post to inform you how our hosting system works - and what you should or shouldn't do to qualify for a hosting account here.

Our present criteria (as of April 2005) is set at:
1. 10 Credits for the Starter Package/Package 1 ( 20 MB Disk Space )
2. 30 Credits for the Upgrade Package/Package 2 ( 150 MB Disk Space )


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I see my Hosting Credits?
Ans: You cannot view your hosting credits till you've received a hosting account here - but the Administrators can determine your present hosting credits depending on the number of posts you've made and allot your a hosting account accordingly.

2. Is the number of posts I make = My Hosting Credits?
Ans: More often, NO. While your hosting credits DO depend on the number of posts you've made, they depend more on the QUALITY of the material of your posts. If they consist of good long tutorials just 2-3 posts might be enough to get you the first 10 credits for the starter package. On the other hand, if your posts are mostly one-liners, even 15 posts won't fetch you enough credits to qualify for hosting. Mind you, if most of your posts are SPAMMY one-liners, even though you might have made enough of them and got well over 10 Credits, you'll still be denied a hosting account. For more information on what constitutes GOOD POSTS, refer to:

• Introduction & Posting Guidelines
• Terms of Service

Both of these are a MUST READ and you must understand these fully, before making a request.

3. How do I know that I've fulfilled my quota of 10/30 Credits before I make a hosting request?
Ans: Earlier on you couldn't determine that on your own. But from now on, you can see your current amount of piled up credits on the Astahost Board Index Page, right below the ShoutBox - where you'll find both your Hosting Credits Amount, as well as a little discussion on how the Credit System works. READ THAT carefully.
[tab]An alternative way, would be to join Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and join our Live Support chatroom.
Server: irc.dal.net
Channel: #AstaHost
We have a support bot there, which will respond to your credit amount request and report back to you. Once you're connected and joined the channel, you can type:
!credits <your-astahost-nickname>
in the main channel window, and the bot will inform you, your present credits.
It'll look like:
Account Posts for New members only : 31.
Here, the figure 31 represents your current hosting credits.

4. How do I know that I've qualified and received hosting?
Ans: You will receive a notification email in the account which you used for signing up at this board. The email will contain all necessary instructions and links to the site that'll enable you to create your hosting account. Also drop back in this forum and check the hosting request you had made. There will be a reply to that saying Hosting APPROVED/DENIED.

5. I've already qualified for hosting and have the required credits. How long will it take before my request is approved?
Ans: On Weekdays, it never takes us more than 24 hours to review your application and grant you hosting. However, on weekends this might take up as long at a day and half. Kindly be patient.

Earlier on we're able to approve requests within a very short time, but most of us are bogged down heavy workload and hence I'm sorry to say that approvals might take upto a week from now on. I'm trying to scrunge out some free time from my daily schedule so I can keep reviewing the approvals on a regular basis.. but till then, kindly be patient.

    As for the rest, Welcome to AstaHost. Wish you an enjoyable stay with us here. And keep posting ....

Best Regards,
miCRoSCoPiC^eaRthLinG,
On behalf of Astahost Team.