Quick question, please help! Is having control over files in cpanel the same as shell access?

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I had been using templates for my sites while learning how to design websites. Well, of course when I realized how I was limiting myself I immediately built my first website from scratch. My mother (a website designer who gave me great books and software to learn from) recommended I use Omnis for my hosting and of course I did.

With Omnis I was able to look into my files directly in the cpanel files manger area and make any edits to the html and even view the changes before I saved them. I have not used any other host for running a non-template site so I have nothing to compare this (what I thought was an excellent) experience with.

My question is: Is this feature called "Shell Acess"? I was so used to doing this at no extra charge (Omnis does not upsell any of the features, they are available to everyone for the same price) and therefore have no clue what are considered industry standards. I ask this because I have run across a term which is new to me (shell access) which other hosts are charging extra for.

I am basically trying to decide if I am going to stay with Omnis or go to another hosting company (for economical purposes). I don't want to get less than what I am accustomed to but I also don't want to pay extra for features that are considered standard.

Any clarification would be welcome.

Thank you in advance.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #access #control #cpanel #files #ftp #question #quick #shell #shell access
  • No - CPanel access and Shell Access are two different things.

    Shell Access allows you to get at the Linux command prompt using an SSH client. Not all hosting companies permit this, some (i.e. Hostgator) will provide it if you specifically request it but by default leave it off (Hostgator does not charge for this feature).

    Unless you are a software developer or are configuring a very advanced script you likely will never need this feature.

    Bill
  • Shell access is where you are given the ability to login to the server typically through a ssh client. Ssh is a secure shell and just provides a comand prompt. Mainly it is a command line terminal balck or green screen window in which you can really control the server, compile code, run scripts, etc... However, you need to type all of your commands. It trypically grants you much great access to the server and you really need to know what you are doing or you can cuase problems for yourself and others if it is a shared server. What you are currently using is considered a GUI or a graphical user interface and is not consdiered shell access. This wiki article shows a picture of a terminal window.

    Shell account - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I hope this helps.
  • Thank you both for the swift and insightful comments. I am convinced I DO NOT need this feature.

    Thank you for the clarification!
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    Quick question, please help! Is having control over files in cpanel the same as shell access?

    I had been using templates for my sites while learning how to design websites. Well, of course when I realized how I was limiting myself I immediately built my first website from scratch. My mother (a website designer who gave me great books and software to learn from) recommended I use Omnis for my hosting and of course I did. With Omnis I was able to look into my files directly in the cpanel files manger area and make any edits to the html and even view the changes before I saved them. I have not used any other host for running a non-template site so I have nothing to compare this (what I thought was an excellent) experience with.