Webhost Suckage

[nfotxn]

So I'm looking for a new webhost soon to replace the one I have from the UK. Here's a list of what I need:

• A shared Linux or BSD server. As best I know Windows is still too expensive to get done what I do on my current platform. Although I haven't looked into Windows Server 2003 too deeply. Visual Studio .NET is still 'spensive.
  
• MySQL and php without stupid configurations. So many web hosts compile php without gd for instance.
  
• ssh access.
  
• A large amount of storage (>200mb) and no silly bandwidth limits (>=5gb/mo)
  
• Reliable email with an administrator who isn't retarded.
  
• A business with a track record of reliability and good customer support.
  

In the past I have been so terribly mistreated by web hosts. I've been shut down for hosting mp3s from a user of mine who knew no better and charged the bandwidth for moving 30gb in a few days which at their rate was $300USD. I've had webhosts that go down for weeks at a time without any sort of explaination let alone compensation for services not rendered. My current host is reliable but expensive at £15/mo for what are pretty stingy features.

Ideally I'd love to start or get in on a hosting co-operative and rent a dedicated server. However I really don't know too many people who'd meet the criteria I'd have. Such as being financially dependable (heck, I hardly am) and technically minded. Business DSL would be cool except nobody and I mean NOBODY will provide you with a static IP for less than an outrageous amount of money.

Anyhow, anybody who's had personal experience with a host I encourage to comment.

Comments

[soundofwater.livejournal.com]

I'm part of a hosting cooperative. We accept new members. And we should fulfill most of your criteria. Let me know if you're interested.

[cpratt.livejournal.com]

Jim Munroe is offering use of his server for C$80/year.

[iberianbear.livejournal.com]

I am with DDIHOSTING.NET right now.

For $10/month they give u in their linux plans

1000 MB Hard Drive Space
45 GB of Bandwidth
Dedicated IP Address, yes its true, for $10.
SSH access too

not sure about the PHP

Of course, they have been in bussiness for a year. Larry, the guy who runs this is pretty knowledgeable, and replies to customer support are pretty quick. Most time you can catch someone on the online chat system and they solve your problems right away. Uptime has been pretty good, they had a 12 hour downtime 2 weeks ago, but you could call on the phone and they would explain you what the issue was, they even gave me an ETA with was fulfilled as promised.
Speed is good too.

I cant complain so far...

[dizzi-d.livejournal.com]

I've had awfully good luck with cwihosting.com...

[mathan.livejournal.com]

www.powwweb.com - that's who I'm with. BSD based, I believe, 5G per day limit, 1G space.

BTW I do have Visual Studio .NET...

[mathan.livejournal.com]

And they do support PHP

Co-Host

[evanrude.livejournal.com]

Might I suggest you speak with Steve/0bark0. He may be interested in something as well. I know he is looking into some packages.

[backrubbear.livejournal.com]

he.net supplies generally good service, but I'm not certain about the gd extensions on php - I've never used them nor know what they're used for. (Yeah, rtfm.)

For my own stuff, I'm part of a cooperative.

I'm generally forgiving of bandwidth limits because I know what the cost of the actual service is. :-)

These days, disk is damned cheap, so lots of space should be a no brainer. Pity my former boss doesn't see it that way.

Dreamhost

[bigmacbear]

I got a reference to Dreamhost from greasybiker and others on the Bears Mailing List. I use it for my personal site, the Empire Bears, and even my church (which I just put up Monday night after our "free" hosting provider went to a pay system and "forgot" to send us a bill, so they kicked us off). Their best points are:

• they're cheap (basic plan $9.95/month when paid annually)
• they give you lots of space (500 MB last I checked, haven't run into the limit yet)
• they don't care if your content looks like pr0n (i.e. they do not censor). Dunno about mp3s though...

They also have a very lighthearted approach to things but take service interruptions like DDoS attacks very seriously.
Hope this helps.

Candid Hosting

[bearsgonewild.livejournal.com]

Free BSD, php (with gd), good cust service, mySQL, mail for your domain that you can configure yourself (sorta) and a dedicated IP address. $25 a month on shared server. Lots of space and lots of bandwidth. Can't remember the exact amounts.

http://candidhosting.com Call and ask for Mark Memmer. He's been good to me.

[bcbud.livejournal.com]

http://www.servermatrix.com/

if yer a datawhore like myself, the tb/month included will make you giggle.

[xkot.livejournal.com]

Check out hostmatters.com. They're my former employer and are well-known for providing amazing levels of support.

[deafeuphoria.livejournal.com]

For detrimental.net and technodump.com, we use nomonthlyfees.com. They're not bad, but you'll probably be able to find somewhere better.

[sinnabor.livejournal.com]

I'm on readyhosting.net.

They seem to have random flakiness, but nothing more than 20 minutes. Unlimited bandwidth. 500meg of space, $100/year.

All MSFT servers, though. And I don't give a rat's ass about CGI/ASP stuff, so I have no idea if they're any good for that. I'm a client-side geek for some reason.