On 2/23/2011 9:49 AM, Trutwin, Joshua wrote:

I was leaning towards webmin/virtualmin but thought I'd check with this list
for any suggestions. Had bad experiences with Plesk from a while
ago so leaving that off the table. We have experience with cPanel
through another fail host, it's ok but too much stuff and too
expensive.

Josh

Josh,

I have been running webmin/virtualmin/usermin for a number of years. A few things factored into my decision. The main one was I didn't want to be stuck inside of a 'box'. So far, 'almost anything' you want to do via command line has no interference with what is done via the interface. Also, within most of the modules, is the ability to simply open the config files for the service and do direct edits. The Webmin project is very active. If you have a problem or perceived bug, and no one else gets around to answering, you will normally hear back from Jamie Cameron the man behind it all, within hours of making a post. That is very rare these days. Basically, I find the system very flexible and highly configurable. In fact, there are several of my ideas for the system that have been put into place. In fact one, years ago, was to get the CentOS OS recognized within the system and it was done and of course still does.

The downside is that the interfaces are a bit geeky. One thing I would like to see is a total rewrite of all the module interfaces in Usermin in an attempt to better define things for the layman. Yes, the end user can do things that you allow. No, most end users won't really understand what they're trying to do. I think those 'boxes' in Plesk and cPanel better address those items due to the nature of 'boxes'. When I say 'boxes', I'm referring to the Windows world config boxes that pop up forcing you down a particular road with no method for customizations.

John Hinton