Why isn't it possible to test your FormMail script?

[cassie]

As a new client I wanted to upload my site and test it before changing my nameservers. After reading the instructions on using the hostgator formmail script, I thought I should reference it with my ip address/~username/cgi-sys BUT I got a file not found error. I contacted the helpdesk to ask how I should reference the FormMail script during testing and was disappointed to be informed that it is impossible.

For me this defeats the whole purpose. Decent hosting companies are hard to find and I don't want to change my nameservers until I'm happy that I can do what I need with hostgator services, and that support is as it should be.

I don't see why a client shouldn't be able to test out everything before changing nameservers.

An early disappointment...

Cassie

[Serra]

Originally Posted by cassie

I don't see why a client shouldn't be able to test out everything before changing nameservers.

You need not change your name servers to test a site. For about $2.99, you can buy a second domain, test under that domain and then when you are happy, switch name servers on your main account. If you setup the second domain as a parked domain, it will work just like the main domain. For between $2.99 and $8.00, I don't think the cost would really get in the way...

The fact that formmail and a few other things do not work when your domain is not resolved is not something that HG did to stop you from testing, it is simply the way Apache works. HG has no control over it. It would be exactly the same at other hosts.

[cassie]

That's a very informative and helpful reply! Thank you so much - I get it now!

Cassie