Welcome to KickSpamtm

Owned and Operated by StartRun Consulting, Inc.

KickSpam is a service from StartRun Consulting, Inc. to provide clients, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances with the ability to manage their personal and professional email on the Internet.

In the past, many have asked us about hosting email and webpages. Typically, these individuals are tired of spam and simply need some small amount of diskspace for a few web pages. Rather than purchasing a server and network operating system for their home, not to mention the hassles of network administration, StartRun has come up with KickSpam to address these requirements. KickSpam is NOT intended to become an ISP for the general public. In order to obtain our services, you must personally know StartRun staff or be referred by someone who does.

KickSpam services include:

EMAIL and DNS: Using any POP3 client or web browser, we will host your email. If you have a domain already, we will help you transfer your domain, free, to our Nameserver so that you will be able to read and send email from home and on the road. If you don't have a domain but wish to have one, we'll help you register one and set it up so that it points to our server. We can set up an unlimited number of email addresses and usernames for your domain.

ANTI-SPAM: There are several advantages to choosing KickSpam over the many free Internet services available. First and foremost is our spam filter. With the explosion of spam on the Internet (I was receiving 200/day!), Internet users are inundated with junk. If you're like us, you may or may not be offended by the constant attack of sexual and financial promises by faceless companies and kids. To combat this, we researched the most effective anti-spam tools available and decided upon the highly successful, server-based software, SpamAssassin. This software allows complete and total customization and runs on KickSpam's Linux server. SpamAssassin is completely, 100 percent, customizable by administrators and users.

It works by running hundreds of tests on an email message and "tagging" a Spam message with [SPAM] in the subject. While we can configure the software to autodelete these messages prior to them reaching your mailbox on a user-by-user basis, we suggest that you setup rules in MS Outlook to save them to a junk folder to ensure that the tests are working properly for you. Using this method, you can verify the integrity of your tests. For our novice users, we will configure tests for you and continue to refine them based on your requests. For our advanced users, we'll give you the access to design your own supplemental tests. We anticipate that our server-based rules, global for all users by default, will catch over 95 percent of spam.

StartRun has been running SpamAssassin for months and only one or two spam messages now get through each week! And, as soon as one does get through, I tweak the rules to prohibit the same sender and/or message content from reaching us again.

MAILLISTS: We recognize the need for email "groups" where anyone in the group can send to everyone else in the group. Whether it's for social networking, sharing a hobby, general announcements, or professional distribution newsletters, our users can maintain their groups; adding and removing members at will. Naturally, we'll maintain it for you if you desire. For those curious advanced users, the server-based software is MailMan.

WEB SPACE: We're running the latest version of Apache Web Server. You design your pages, including photos, on your PC and upload the files to the server using FTP (already on your PC) so everyone can view them. If you need help designing web pages, we can help.

SHELL ACCOUNT: If you know your way around the Linux OS, we'll give you access to your shell using SSH.

PERSONAL SERVICE: Continuing our tradition of devoting personal attention to individuals and small businesses since 1998, we are excited to offer the KickSpam services to our friends and colleagues. Conforming to our business model, we will offer as much or as little assistance as you need to make your personal computer networking as painless as possible. Talk to us about what you want or need from and we'll figure out how to make it work.

Some anticipated questions:
Q: Can I give up AOL?
A: Yes, unless you use any of their subscriber-only services. AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) can be used by anyone.

Q: Can I give up my Yahoo email address?
A: Yes, but keep your Yahoo userID for Yahoo Messenger, stocks, personals, etc.

Q: Can I give up my HotMail email address?
A: Yes, but you may want to keep a dummy address or two to be used very infrequently and never checked.

Q: Can I give up PacBell and will you install a new DSL line for me?
A: No. We cannot provide any access to the Internet; only useful tools after you are connected to the Internet.

Q: Can I dial into KickSpam?
A: No. You must reach KickSpam from the Internet just as users cannot dial into Yahoo and Hotmail.

Q: Aren't you more expensive than Yahoo and Hotmail?
A: Yes, but we're MUCH smaller and we know each other. You can call me and talk to a friendly voice for help. Also, SpamAssassin is significantly better than whatever antispam tools they're using. And, I won't take your credit card number. Best of all, no ads...ever. In essence, we're the Mom & Pop shop (minus the Mom) compared to the megacorp.

Q: How much will you charge me to register a domain?
A: Nothing. Keep in mind that we don't actually register domains; we just host them. You'll need to register a domain with a registrar (such as Network Solutions) and specify KickSpam as the Nameserver and Technical Contact. Don't worry, we'll help with this process for no charge.

Q: I already own a domain. What now?
A: We'll help you transfer it for no charge.

Q: Do I need to commit to a timeframe using KickSpam?
A: No. We are so confident you'll love us and never want to leave that there's no need. You can always transfer your domain to another hosting service at any time if you want.

Q: Will you give me a discount if I promise to stay for a lifetime?
A: Not right now but, hey, we're fair and want you as a loyal client. If it's that important, ask us in person.

Q: Do you perform backups?
A: Currently, we do not. You are responsible for backing up all your data including webpages and userlists under MailMan. We can help you if you need instructions.

Rates
There is a one-time $50 setup fee.
Individuals: For up to three email addresses in your domain, there is a $25.00/month charge. All incoming email is filtered through SpamAssassin. Each additional email address is $3.00/month.
For the ability to create up to two email distribution lists and one page for your webpage, add $10/month.
These charges include free telephone and email support.
For every two referrals we receive from you, you'll receive one month free.
You can pay by check (payable to StartRun Consulting, Inc.) or using PayPal. Ask for the details for the latter.
Corporate projects: Give us a call and let's talk!

©1998-2003 StartRun Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.