DNSstuff.com Alternative
March 6th, 2007 by Matthew Jabs
Recently DNSstuff.com is becoming more and more commercialized. Although I have used DNSstuff a lot in the past, I have become unimpressed with the site as of late. Because of this, I’ve searched for a replacement to DNSstuff and found a very able and suitable alternative.
For all your DNS needs, you can now visit IPTools.com.
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Hi Matthew,
DNSstuff.com here - thanks for your comments. As you know we’ve been around for a while and with so many users it was time to extend our services with a paid membership. Our costs are growing and we felt this was a great way to leave the tools free, but also bring in some dough to invest back into the business. More people, more hardware, cool new products and services coming soon. We welcome your feedback, keep it coming. IPTools? Come on back.
The fact that your charging for simple queries … bad bad bad
Liar. You charge for everything. There’s not a damn thing that is free.
Seriously - what a lie. DNSStuff doesn’t even offer DNS LOOKUP anymore for free! A BASIC TOOL that can be done in a line of PHP and a handful of CPU cycles.
I WILL NOT buy your service just to use it two or three times in that YEAR. I am not a commercial user and I only use it once every few MONTHS! I don’t need to pay 50 bucks to only use it a couple times to figure out why a site isn’t loading!
You guys have written yourself a suicide note, DNSStuff. Either give back all the old tools and work on, like you always said, some NEW tools… or expect to die a painful death in short time.
Arik:
Thanks for your input. I completely understand needing to monetize & get profit from all the hard work.
I have a suggestion. Put the tools higher on the site. When DNSstuff.com made the site change, the first time I visited, I thought I had to purchase access…until I scrolled down (way down ;-). While I’m sure this was probably planned (to get people to purchase an account), it is pretty distracting if you’re trying to use the tools every once in awhile.
I do like the functionality of DNSstuff better than IPTools, but I just have a hard time getting through all the “stuff” now before getting to the tools.
Any feedback on this Arik? I appreciate your time.
Hi Matthew - sorry it’s taken so long to respond. We now have free registration available which allows you to log-in and have the tools front and center. Check it out when you have a chance.
I was just searching for an alternative. Thanks for the tip!
Ummm…could Scott & Martin be the same person?
Anyway…thanks fella(s)
No we are different people.
I went to dnsstuff.com and got a message about my using “a web proxy that is currently being abused by malware”.
So I started looking for alternatives, and Google sent me here.
Thanks for the tip - I googled for “dnsstuff.com alternative”. I just feel one day I will need a username and password to get to the mens room…
But everyone should be rewarded for their work - Arik, I totally understand your point.
DNSStuff used to be good, when it was basic HTML and no-nonsense, nothing-but-the-goods.
Then it seems that the marketers took over…
First the site got a glitzy and IMHO, unnecessary makeover - increasing load times. Then the spectre of membership crops up. Then free lookups get drastically limited, forcing one to register for membership, then membership only g’tees access to “limited lookups”, then ads start appearing, until finally the site notifies that ‘you have only 19 membership lookups left…’
Ads we don’t mind - even obnoxious Flash ads that kill workstation performance. Charging a subscription for access to premium tools - fair enough. Forcing [tricking? conniving?] users into paying for membership, for LESS features [mail abuse lookup now down, for weeks] - it is time to go elsewhere, the marketers have killed the site.
I’ll add that we’d be lucky to make more than a few lookups per business day - by no means heavy users.
IPTools looks like just the ticket until we implement internal equivalents to the same tools. Nice knowing you, DNSStuff! And thanks for the tip, Matthew!
lol…well put Vince, very well put!
I’m afraid you’re correct. I received some emails from someone @ DSNstuff saying they were working on making it better, but it looks like the marketers are the ones that took over.
Oh well, at least we have another solution…it was good while it lasted DNSstuff!
are you sure IP tools isn’t just sitting on several DNSstuff tools? That would be pretty funny if it was.
Hi guys - DNSstuff here again. Matt - you seemed to agree with our points earlier, let me try to explain our strategy further.
Every look-up costs us money. So we came up with what we thought was a very reasonable model - $36/year and we added a set of premium member tools and 2 alert services. It is true that anonymous visitors only get a limited amount of lookups.
In addition to the membership, we’ve added a Resource Center, additional staff to answer your questions on the forums and we’re working hard on new technology now that we have a little money to hire additional people. We’re not driving around in fancy cars over here (my car 11 yrs old with 120k miles) but rather putting the money we earn from memberships back into our business.
We hope you understand. Email me directly anytime with complaints & suggestions.
Arik
Vince:
Hijack all you want, it’s a community site built around getting information out to everyone, so I actually appreciate your comments very much.
Martin:
Is the link in the email notification still broke?
Arik:
I feel bad that I don’t agree with the changes to DNSstuff…like I said before, I understand the need to monetize the site, heck, I monetize this site (though very little). However, feedback that I have received both on this post page & off is pretty negative. I suppose people never like change, but the site was definitely more suited to the user before, whereas now it seems to have moved away from the user & toward monetization, so much that people are searching for an alternative.
Again, I understand your plight, but a little more subtlety may have been a road better traveled. Let me know what you think.
PS…I drive a 1998 Mustang (6 cylinder) with a cracked front bumper & scratches all along one side (from falling asleep & hitting a guardrail)!
Thanks to all for the input.
PSS…Martin brought to my attention that the link in the notification email is broke, you just have to take one of the “dots” out after the “www”. I’m thinking this may have been caused by my translation plugin, but I’m not sure.
ok, your car is 1 year newer than mine.
You guys are making good points and this is why we’re taking the time to respond. We’re listening. We don’t wany anyone to leave the site. We want to take DNSstuff to a whole new level and so we’ve had to change the way we do things a bit. We haven’t done everything right and we’re far from perfect. But now that we’ve gone through this transition, we’re well positioned to deliver cool new technology. It won’t be tomorrow, but it is coming. I ask you to bare with us. Email me directly and I’ll give you a free membership (akeller@dnsstuff.com). And anyone else that wants to take the time to write well thought out emails like this, I’ll give them a free membership as well.
Thanks again,
Arik
Matt,
> Is the link in the email notification still broke?
unfortunately yes it still is.
btw, I drive a 1996 Toyota Corolla, keeping that thing going is _real_ work!
- Martin -
Arik,
I recognise that neither time nor bandwidth is free. We are in the hosting business ourselves. (And bandwidth is hundreds of times more expensive for us.) However, the cost per lookup is tiny fractions of a cent - if not, then you guys are doing something very wrong. Ads can very easily cover this level of expenditure, especially with a targeted audience and the volume of visits you get.
You mentioned that anonymous users get a [very] limited number of lookups. So do registered users… in fact, the number is so low it makes registration seem merely a ploy to collect info, maybe lower the psychological barrier to paying for continued access.
I’ll cut to the chase. You are well within your rights to make changes to the site to generate revenue - it’s your site. But taking away something which has always been basic but free, watering it down, whacking a new coat of paint on and offering to sell it back again ‘for a very reasonable price’ leaves a foul taste in the mouth.
The level of services available and usability has eroded while it seems the main priority is gussying the site up and turning it into a revenue-stream. Nor is the ‘creeping death’ style of service reduction for non-PAYING users any reassurance. Has the site changed hands in the past few months by any chance?
The writing was on the wall as far back as the graphical re-design. Our CTO exclaimed ‘Have you seen what they’ve done to DNSStuff?? They’ve f***ed it!’ at the time. Every change since has just been more confirmation. I am disappointed, though not surprised.
If the original techies are still in charge of the site: go back. You have made a wrong turn! Fire the marketers and be honest in your financials!
In closing, Arik - I take the train to work.
(sorry to hijack your blog page, Matt!)
Vince - I agree with some of your points. Your clarification about registered users getting limited look-ups is correct, but they get 60 look-ups. We thought if someone uses us 60 times, they are a heavy user and would think the $3/month is well worth it. Again, I don’t think we’ve watered it down, but rather added some new tools (have you seen Nearby IP tool - very cool) new services, and a resource center.
Do you walk to the train?
Email me and I’ll give your team free membership for a year. Keep the feedback coming.
FYI - we do have some happy customers and get emails like he below each day. We take your comments to heart, but we also know people having been using us for years and we don’t think $36/year is greedy, but rather it is equitable.
“I just want to say that I am very excited in joining your “family”.
After using your tools for few years, i must say that there is no other web sites that serves so many useful tools in one place.
Amazing job people.
I will become your member this week.”
hey guys - is the email link you are referring to an email from one of our notifications? i was confused about that.
arik
No…it’s the email notification you all get when someone posts a new comment on this article’s comment thread.
it has an extra “dot” after “www”, at least it does for martin anyway.
Interesting and honest discussion here.
I drive a 1978 volskwagen Kombi transporter(Van) A new motor was installed 3 years ago, so I feel it has like 70,000 miles to go. I can be called a senior on the car department.
My point is I live in Mexico and some times $36 bucks we simply can not afford, I believe this is the case for many people.
Nevertheless, I agree and disagree with both Mathew and Arik.
I got here on a google search for “DNSSTUFF alternative”, ¿Why?….
Well, in third worl countries, you run with many hats, so I am President of my company, web designer, programmer, network analyst, marketing chief, salesman, CTO, COO, PR, Marketing, and graphical design, I do as well, office boy, purdchasing and what ever is needed.
The Internet has become a place where you can get the information you need in seconds, and DNSStuff, used to be simply that. Not any more, as my google search indicates.
On the thread I see, kind of a “personal” discussion”, whereas my feel is the following: “Marketing guys took control”?, I do not belive so, I feel Arik answering ont that personally, idf there are such “marketing guys”, in such case, CHNAGE aGENCY.
I understad DNS stuff deserves to make money on their services, so (I am no asking for “agency fees”) go to basics, Understand your customers!!, this is not different from a Brick and mortar operation, undestand and serve every type of customer as a special guy, and get him to return.
I would change your standard website page to the following:
“DNS, has revamped it services to better serve the comunity, please choose one of the following user levels:”
1)Premium user, uses “New and professional servieces as alerts, etc) $36.00 a year
2) Small network enterprises:
Uses DNSStuff regularly (up to 30 times a month, but does not need premium services or alerts. $18.00 a year
3) Casual user, uses it occationaly, under 30 times a month, Advertizing supported.
4) Very casual user, not registering, limited access (I believe this was like 3 basic searches, that could fly on a session)
Imoprtant to mention:
Choose your level now, and we will rembember your “selection”.
Finnaly, get your systems guys with the newer cars, hopefully due to their expertize and set the appropriate cookies on the user browser. So the users feels confident their time invested is worth something.
Also I notice that probably you do not understand thet when a system guy searches for an ” A” record, he probably would like to search fot all other stuff thah might be “know” or not for a DNS or doimain, so base your tracking not on searches made but on visits made.
Hopefully this helps both sides, If you are willing to contribute for a “transporter” update, put that on your intentions for the month, and existence will provide,
Regards,
Abhik
ok, I’ll bite.
I think the challenge for users is not understanding what goes into making DNSstuff what it is. We’re not just a 2 man shop. We have employees working in all departments now to expand our business and deliver the best DNS web app out there.
Abhik - thanks for your input, we value it very much. But I think the main difference in our approach is that you think 360 lookups per year is a casual user and we think that over qualifies as a heavy user.
Most of the community is responding positively to our approach, but there is certainly some dissent. We’re considering membership programs and levels both above and below the $36/year so this dialog is helpful.
I do enjoy when someone emails us saying they’ve used us every week for the last 5 years and think that $36 is too much
Arik
I drive Alfa Romeo, may I speak?
DNSstuff.com simply does not have unique features or services which warrant paying a fee. Bandwidth for text based site when you gzip content can simply not be that high, one 10mbps unlimited dedicated should do it nicely. Limited usage even after you have paid the fee, no thanks! Arik’s need to get paid so they can hire more people to market it: all I can say is LOL. And the most important letdown is the snake oil feel marketing jargon that I really hate.
DNSstuff has always been a webmaster’s tool, I do not need to hear about “membership programs and levels both above and below the $36/year”, I only need to check some IP now and then. If http://www.iptools.com/ provides the same for Google Ads then it’s a no-brainer decision.
Sad for you.
Jo - thanks for the comments. We never mentioned bandwidth, that was another user. I think we\’ve tried to communicate our path in this blog, sorry you don\’t agree.
Best,
DNSstuff
I have been a long time user of DNSReports and now DNSStuff. As a small business owner, I can understand your need to cover your costs. It make no sense to provide a free service that causes a financial drain on other aspects of your business. I am sure you have explored all your options and have found charging for use of your DNSReport tool is the only way to keep providing it and improving it.
I am sure the cost to do a lookup is measurable but it has got to be fractions of a penny. I use your service in spurts. Not at all for days or weeks, then two or five times in a day. If I did a hundred queries a year and that is unlikely, then your asking me to pay at least 3.6 cents per query for something that I can get for free elsewhere. And that is my where my problem lies.
I can see charging big time users a usage fee based on volume but what of us small time users who rarely use your service? As wonderful as your site is with all the information one needs on one screen, I can get virtually the same information using command line tools and/or via other online resources.
DNSReports is a powerful tool that historically did not cost anything to use. Maybe that time has passed and as such it may be time for your legacy users to move on. As your site fulfilled my needs perfectly, I abandoned my personal project that did for me what your site does for others. If it is going to cost me an annual fee to continue to use your site, I will be forced to resurrect my old tools and add the functionality I need to support my customers. It make no sense for me to pay annually for information that is available for free with command line tools or other websites. Were it not for the time it would take for me to improve my own scripts, I would have done it long ago. Your free site postponed that project.
May I suggest you consider one of the following alternatives:
1) Restrict usage to a few requests per hour and/or a limited number per day unless they subscribe
2) For non-subscribers, consider routing their requests to a slower channel. Reserve faster responses for subscribers.
3) For non-subscribers, consider (like online newspapers do) showing a video ad for 10 to 30 seconds before displaying the results. If the free users do not like the Ad’s they can become subscribers.
4) Reduce the cost to subscribe and create usage tiers such as 100 queries for $5 or $10, 200 for $15, unlimited for $29.95. If you adopt the $5 or $10 plan, permit the plan to last as long as needed till the total number of usages is consumed - with my usage, 100 queries may last me two or three years.
What I liked about your original site was the ease of use. Just type in the domain name and go. I have tried other products like the DNS Expert from Men and Mice, but your website made even that product unnecessary. If I am going to continue to use your service, I need to be able to access it quickly and effectively. Having to login in order to use your service would be a hindrance just like some whois sites that once required you to enter in a code displayed in a mangled image - truly a pain in the butt. I have since found whois sites that did away with such silliness.
I support sites that use banner ads and sites where the usage fees are in line with the value of service provided. As virtually everything your DNSReports provides is freely available on the internet, your subscription fee should mirroring that fact. I feel you have a great site and you have an opportunity to collect a reasonable fee for it continued use.
Hmmm…it\’s sure interesting to see the growing conversation on this blog post.
The input is very appreciated.
Hi:
Use http://www.net-toolkit.com , there is on of Alternative of Dnsstuff.com .
Thanks Ali, I’ll check it out!
do you have an alternative to dnsReport.com ?
If you run out of free uses, go here http://www.seoconsultants.com/tools/dns/. It will bypass DNSstuff’s cookie’s and take you automatically to the url above.
I am a paid DNSStuff member. I purchased a membership because my company has some serious dns issues right now. We are trying to get them fixed.
However the DNSStuff.com website has locked us out. We did not do automated queries. Not exactly sure what we did wrong either. We kindly sent a message to support asking for a resolution.
Well a day later and they will not get back with us. Nobody has responded to our forum post either.
I think if you are going to block PAID members and not help them, you should just call it quits.
You cannot thrive as a business if you ignore your source of money. I\’m rather pissed out the whole deal. I moderate at a very very large forum and I will strongly discourage anyone from purchasing a membership at DNS STUFF.
I might even make a sticky for them. Wow that is really absurd. Oh well DNS STUFF is not acting very nice either.
Oh and if a DNS STUFF Staff reads this, my name is the same on your site.
DNS Stuff is history, I will person