Help! Webmaster Quit, Now What?

[PTL]

Hello. A friend of mine owns a nonprofit organization and knows nothing about computers. His website was designed and is managed by the same lady. It turns out that she has some issues and informed him that she is quitting. What does he need to do to keep the website going? Suppose I take over those duties, what will I need to make the transition as seamless as possible? (I am a QA Analyst and have never designed a website before.) Will he have to start over from scratch? If she is disgruntled, what will he need to do to protect himself and his website? Any suggestions?

Also, the lady that is managing his website informed him that she has gone into all of his deleted emails and read them. How is this possible? If he changes his email password, can she still do this? Thank you for your help.

[Jan]

First he would need to ask her for all files related to the website. I am assuming she organised the hosting for him also? If so your friend will need to make contact with the host to organise future arrangements such as monthly payments. The host might be kind enough to give him a full backup of the site.

[alley]

These situations can be very bad because she probably manages his domain as well. No offence, but if you know nothing about web design, web hosting, and domain management than you can't really help him.

The best thing to do is to have him hire another webmaster/designer that knows what he is doing and to have the new webmaster contact the former webmaster. He will know the right questions to ask to regain controll of the domain, and site/host.

I had to do this for a new customer recently. It went smooth because the former webmaster of his site knew that I knew what I was doing.

I can help your friend if he really needs help? ... he may have to pay me for a new hosting account/design though if his dues are in the rears with his former webmaster/host.

[PTL]

Thank you both for the great advice. I will keep you updated as the situation unfolds.

[PTL]

I am sure that this lady has done and is doing everything pertaining to his website. Is there any way to prevent her from accessing his deleted mail? Can she still access it even if he empties the Deleted Items folder?

[iLucas]

I am sure that this lady has done and is doing everything pertaining to his website. Is there any way to prevent her from accessing his deleted mail? Can she still access it even if he empties the Deleted Items folder?

She doesn't have any business accessing his email, anyway?

[Keagle]

If he emties the deleted items folder, I would assume that's it. The mail has gone. Unless backups have been made, which would likely contain most of the emails and then your screwed if there was anything really important in those emails.

Lucas - nope, she doesn't. I would assume the webmaster and PTL's friend had an argument or the like.