Users who are unfamiliar with vDeck are advised to take the startlogic product tour or visit the startlogic vdeck demo login first. For your instant guides, here is how vDeck (in StartLogic) front page looks like this:

Specifications for StartLogic vDeck.

• Platform Type: Debian
• MySQL Version: 5.0.45
• Perl Version: 5.8.8
• PHP Version: 4.4.7
• Path to SendMail: /usr/sbin/sendmail
• Path to Perl: /usr/bin/perl
• Path to PHP: /usr/local/bin/php

Installing a WordPress blog is easy at StartLogic.

While it’s not the usual-Fantastico-procedure, my first WP installation on StartLogic is done smoothly and quickly. For your instant reference, here’s a step-by-step walk thru on the installation process.

Enabling CGI for script installation

If you’re running a new StartLogic hosting account, there’s a big chance that your CGI is disable (default setting). To install any kind of scripts on your hosting, you’ll first need to enable CGI.

WordPress installation

When you’re in StartLogic vDeck main control page, you’ll notice there’s a shortcut named ‘Install Central WordPress’. Click on the icon will lead you to the this page (as below) where you can setup all the basic info for your WordPress blog installation.

Move on by clicking on ‘Install Now’. You should come to a web form by now where the basic blog information and installation path are set here. First, key in your blog title as well as your username, password, and email. Blog title can be changed anytime after the installation; while your username is unchangeable once it’s created. (you can, however, create/delete users inside WordPress in the future).

The “path to application” refers to the URL you wish to install as your WordPress root folder. Leave the folder section blank if you want to install it at the hosting root folder; or, you can name a new folder and have your WP blog installed in that particular folder.

Do note that the system will automatically create a database for your WordPress blog. To setup your database connection manually, click on ‘Use this database’ at the bottom of the page. Click ‘Install Now’ once everything’s set – your WordPress blog shall be ready in seconds.

Not sure if StartLogic will be upgrading on its vDeck version or not but good news is that vDeck is cooking something new in their R&D department. A sneak preview on what you can do with the new vDeck 3.0:

Web site Management

• iPage site-creation tool
• SiteDelux site-creation tool
• WebSite Creator, powered by CM4all
• FileManager
• FTP Manager
• FrontPage Extensions
• CGI Support
• Enhanced Script Library
• MySQL Management
• Site Backups and Restore
• Gallery 2
• phpBB
• WordPress
• Gbook

E-mail Management

• Manage autoresponders
• More powerful spam and virus protection
• Direct WebMail Access
• iContact e-newsletters
• Constant Contact e-newsletters

Domain Management

• DomainCentral
• Manage subdomains
• Private nameservers

E-commerce Services

• osCommerce
• ShopSite NEW!

Marketing Services

• Search engine optimization services
• Search engine submission services
• Free search engine coupons ($30 or more)
• Pay-per-click advertising NEW!
• E-mail newsletter creation and distribution services
• Logo design services NEW!

Account Management Services

• Online Billing Console
• Online Support Ticketing Syste
• Customizable control panel design layouts

Reseller Account Management Services

• Historical billing records and cost breakdowns for each account.
• Detailed monthly invoices and printable receipts.
• An option for grouped billing and consolidated invoices.
• The ability to brand your client control panel with your logo, colors and fonts.

To learn more, check out vDeck official website.

Nowadays most hosting are dominate by cPanel control interface.

Without doubt cPanel is one of the best control panel we can ever get online but hosting control panel software is not a one-size-fit-all thing. I am sure there are plenty users that are unhappy with cPanel and wish for something different.

Well, if you’re one of those who crave for a different hosting control panel, vDeck/StartLogic is your answer.

Frankly I respect StartLogic’s apprach in being different from the majority and to go with vDeck. IMHO, both vDeck and cPanel are more or less the same and they should be given even attention since both are serving the same industry.

About vDeck?

vDeck is the GUI for hosting server control panel. The system is mainly used for web hosting server management but it can be used as marketing tools and site building tools. For your quick reference, here’re the message I quoted from vDeck official website.

More than just a control panel, vDeck is the next generation in Web site management. With vDeck, creating, managing and promoting your Web site is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Build Your Site

vDeck is deeply integrated with several easy-to-use site creation tools—choose from hundreds of professional design templates to create your site without any HTML experience.

Available features include:

• Choice of three site-creation tools
• Hundreds of professional design templates
• Design editor
• Content manager
• Graphics editor
• Pre-installed CGI scripts
• Integrated e-commerce solutions

2. Manage Your Site

vDeck makes it easy to manage your Web site, e-mail and domain name from one central location. Take advantage of these vDeck 3.0 features:

• Billing & account management
• Comprehensive FileManager
• MailCentral for easy e-mail management
• Microsoft Exchange Hosting
• DomainCentral for easy domain management
• Install wizards for popular open source applications (such as WordPress)
• Web site statistics programs

3. Promote Your Site

vDeck 3.0 offers access to several marketing services to help you promote your site. Available services include:

• Search engine optimization services
• Search engine submission services
• Free search engine coupons ($30 or more)
• Pay-per-click advertising services
• E-mail newsletter creation and distribution services
• Logo design services

Adding a new e-mail address using vDeck

Take example of adding a new email using vDeck, here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps. First get to mail central from the login front page.

Mail central is where you can control all your email inbox configurations. Do note that there’s a catch-all email in default. To create a new email address, click on the ‘Create Mailbox’ button.

On the pop up page, keyin your desired email address as well as its quota limitation, move on when it’s done.

You’ll be directed back to the Mail Central once your mail box is created. If everything goes right, you should see your new mail box listed on the page. Whenever you feel like editing the mailbox setting or adding/deleting the mail box at your hosting, you can always come back here and click on the ‘edit’ link. It’s simple.

Well then, you have a new email address on your hosting now.