For 'security reasons' I can't access my hosts servers to install wordpress MU. It's going to be integrated into the site, but will have to be hosted elsewhere (well I could host it with them but they're charging me $800 to install a free program!). Is there anyway I can have it at www.mydomain.com/blog where mydomain is hosted elsewhere? Not too sharp on this I'm afraid but it seems like I'd have to cloak wherever I was hosting wordpress?
your host doesn't give you ftp access to the servers? or access to mysql setup?...that's all you need to install wordpress
The term "security reasons" sounds like a great scam to me. If you pay for hosting you should have access to FTP and remote SQL access. It sounds like your host is a marketing place more than hosting. This means they do anything they can to squeeze every penny out of you. I don't say this that often, but it sounds like you need to find a better host. There is no technical reason not to allow you FTP access to your site. I can see them having issues doing this if they manage your site for you; but $800 to install wordpress is just ridiculus. It takes a maximum of 10 minutes to install wordpress for anyone who knows how to run a server. As other people said, you can do blog.yourdomain.com, but that requires a DNS change. Your host probably has control over that as well though.
They don't have control of the DNS. We're only using their hosting because we're changing to use their CMS. Anybody know any good professional hosts? *edit* Just out of curiosity, I don't know my bandwidth but it's around 300,000 page impressions a month (maybe say 300kb per page, so what's that 9Gb, 9Tb? I dunno!) and my new CMS host wants to charge me about £500 p/m for managed dedicated hosting. Having had a quick look this also seems excessive. Thoughts?
you need to find out exactly what you are using (your host should tell you this) and then you need to find a host that can supply you with those needs... from the sound of it...you are getting hosting from someone that has no clue about it (like getting hosting from a domain registrar...bad idea...same concept here). Let us know what resources you are using (space/bandwidth...ask your host) and we could help you find a more reliable solution. and just to throw this in there (i don't do it that often...actually i think this is the first time on DP i've mentioned it)...i run a private hosting cluster, sort of invitation only...very personal quality. If you'd be interested in something like that (small time, but excellent and personal support/service)...let me know and i can work something out with you... or if you are looking for a big time host for super cheap prices...ignore that last statement