Dreamhost doesn't use cPanel - Is their own panel equally good?

I am thinking of switching to Dreamhost. But they dont use cPanel. Instead they have another web panel that they have coded and designed themselves. They say you can basically do the same thing with it as you can with cPanel.

Is this true? Has anyone here tested their web panel? What do you think about it?

Also:

cPanel has a feature where you can "Download or Generate a Full Backup" which is "used for moving your account to another server".

I have never tested this. Does this work? And how exactly does it work?

Should I just create the zip package. Move it to my new host and pack it up there? Will it set up my databases, connect them to the sites etc and all that?

Can I still do that with Dreamhost even tho they dont use cpanel?

Thanks for any help!

I am sorry if this is the wrong topic, but I couldn't find a more appropriate one...

 

I'm a longtime DH user and supporter. I also have accounts with hosting companies using cPanel. I personally prefer DreamHost's custom admin over cPanel but that might be due to the fact that I'm more accustomed to it. I certainly find it easier to use.

 

Is it true that DH's web panel is equally good as cPanel? Or does it miss a few features that cPanel has?

Their web panel is really the only thing that worries me about moving to DH.

Thanks for your reply!

 

I think it is. If it's missing features that cPanel has I'm not aware of them. Like I said, I actually prefer DH over the other host I have that uses cPanel.

 

When you make a backup with cPanel it takes dumps of all your databases, saves some configuration settings, and then combines these files and the files in your account into what is known as a tarball. (A tarball is a compression format similar to a zip archive)

This feature usually works fine but you should always double check that everything has been restored properly before canceling the old account.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Do you mean you want to create a zip file of all your files hosted with your current host?

If so then you will also need to manually make backups of your databases and configure your new providers control panel to your needs.

For databases in particular this might mean doing the following for each database:
1. creating the backup at the old host
2. creating the database at the new host
3. creating the database user accounts at the new host
4. restoring the database to the new account.

 

I like dreamhost's panel, using cpanel afterward was inefficient!

 

Yes its same with Cpanel and its more user friendly than Cpanel

 

I personally like Cpanel because I'm used to it and more compatible with other hosts should I decide to move.

 

I've heard a lot of negative reviews on DreamHost, especially at WebHostingTalk....in fact I think I have yet to see a positive review there on them. Just so you know....

And I'm all Cpanel all the way

 

I've used their panel. Its pretty good, just that their ftp/filemanager is extremely poor compared to cpanel. Other than that its pretty good.

 

cpanel is more efficient and easy-to-use than DH panel. For example to backup mysql, you have to go through a long process(either phpmyadmin or shell) but for cpanel it's just a click away.

 

i'm annoyed that my friend hosted at DH can't give me FTP access (why is this? no provision for this? in DH panel?) , and installing wordpress is done manually.. no fantastico..

 

I had some sites hosted before with Dreamhost and now with another hosting that uses cPanel. I found using cPanel easier to use especially the backup process since there is no need for me to open phpAdmin.

 

If you want a good host that uses cpanel use host gator check my sig

 

Well, when I create that full backup using cPanel I get a zip file.

Yes, it's the same here.

Ok, thats nice to hear!

Ohh.. I've heard good reviews. Most bad reviews complained about the lack of cpanel..

You mean the web-based one? Yeah, but I rarely use that one anyways.

Oh, good point.

Thats not good. But DH says they have a one click installer for wordpress..

hehe.. Sorry but my host needs to buy Renewable Energy Certificates and being certified by Green-e for me to even consider them.

 

Cpanel has a few more options. BUT i personally use dreamhost, and have found that not only is their control panel extreamly easy to use, but also their customer support is exceptional. Ive never had a problem that they couldnt fix or point me in the right direction