Suggestions

[Chad]

Interface:

Really need to do something about the interface/design. Some may not care, but most (including customes = lifeline of your business) care for a beautiful "pretty" interface. The nicest interface out there is *****. You should consider this. Find a designer, do a beautiful interface like *****. If you did this, believe me you'll get at least 30 orders from me in one month I can assure you that.

Your interface is crammped, dull and empty. No offense, just my honest opinion thats all. Its too boring looking and confusing.

Features:

- compile apache (like *** has)
- security tools (especially RFX's modules)
- roundcube webmail
- better stats program (awstats or something better)
- antivirus (clamav)
- more scripts (like fantastico)

Please respond with your answers. Thank you.

[LeeJ]

Chad,
Hello, I have outlined responses below each of your suggestions. Before I get into this I would really like to explain why we do what we do here. ServerCP is designed for rapid deployment and ease of maintenance/upgrades especially for a provider who needs to streamline support and standardize their offerings. With ServerCP there is a clean line between billable and non billable support if you are a managed or unmanaged service provider.

- compile apache (like *** has)
We had a script such as this back in the version 1.x days and removed it. We found that a script for building php/apache is great when you are managing 4 or 5 machines but problems arise when you have 100 servers/vps to upgrade php on. If you have a script to build apache/php you would need to log into each machine and run the script or write a script that interfaces with each machine and update php. Updating even 25 servers/vps with a manually ran script takes a lot of resources/time. You would be surprised at the large number of small and mid-sized providers who use custom built rpms or ports to keep apache/php and other software updated even with update scripts available to use. As with any business the key is being able to scale and keep your support costs down. Keep in mind that I am not saying that a script like this doesn't work for some companies, but it just falls outside of our overall project direction.

- security tools (especially RFX's modules)
We are currently in the process of implementing a firewall solution similar to what we have done with Ruby on Rails and various other add-ons.

- roundcube webmail
Roundcube is in the software manager and has been there for some time now.

- better stats program (awstats or something better)
Awstats and webalizer are installed and have been available for several years. Look in the Software Manager. We have urchin support implemented but we are just holding out on release until we see what google is going to do.

- antivirus (clamav)
clamav and spammassassin is installed by default and have been available for several years. You can manage these settings on a per account basis within the mail section. Your individual email users can also log in and manage their spam and virus settings as well.

- more scripts (like fantastico)
Have you taken a look at the software manager interface it is labeled "Scripts/Software"? You can also very easily add your own scripts using the Software Manager API. Documentation can be found on the support page. There are currently 24 scripts that you can install. If you would like to see anything added let us know.

- interface
The interface uses PHP Smarty templates so it makes it very easy to create a custom interface to completely customize ServerCP. I personally have logged into several machines and looked at the interface and had to make sure that it was a machine running ServerCP. With the next major version upgrade we do plan on updating the interface but do plan on keeping the existing interface for companies that choose to keep the current vanilla production interface.

In closing I would like to say that we appreciate all of your comments. There is no software/control panel out there that works for all business models. In the end it really depends on your business model and what you are comfortable with asthetically and functionally. We believe that software should work with your existing business model rather than reworking your business model to work with software that you purchase. I hope that the above explains our direction a little more clearly.