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View Full Version : New to the hosting scene, help requested


Lucifer1337
Thu 25th Jan '07, 12:18am
Well, as the topic states, I have virtually no knowledge of all the technical mumbo-jumbo that goes into hosting sites, what most of the features mean in terms of a site/forums, and for that matter what host is best for me. I've been creating a forum game which I anticipate will grow upon completion and advertisement, but it currently isn't pulling in many members due to it's In Development status.

My old Co-Admin created the site it's currently hosted on, but it's a freebie phpBB crud site, and they don't even let me access the scripts for a transfer, so I'll end up having to re-create it all on vB(not too huge a problem). I'm yearning to switch over to vB, and to have a website that the forums would be based off of. But, as stated before, I'm a complete newbie at advanced forum/website management. Heck, before a couple days ago I couldn't even tell you the expanded names of PHP or mySQL, and I still couldn't explain what they do or edit them.

I've looked at places like hostmonster and other places that have been mentioned here in various threads, but none of the statistics make sense to me, so it doesn't help me to know they have ____ bandwidth, or FTP Access, or whatever else. So, I'm looking for a place that will be able to handle a good amount of growth, but that doesn't leave all the behind the scenes stuff to me, or at least explains it in n00blish(like literally instructions your grandma could understand).

I'll try and explain what I need in terms I can understand, and hopefully you guys can translate that and help me out:

- Host needs to be reliable. I've had friends who've had their hosts interfere with their forum/site actions, and even take over at times, claiming ownership. Can't have that, especially with all the intellectual property being put in.

- Host needs to be able to support a website and a vB forum. I'm looking to have a website for this game and the future expansions that will be created which is user friendly(somewhere mid-level, where there's lots of advanced options but not really much dealing with coding). Also wish for that site to be able to to co-exist domain-wise with the vB forums for it.

- Host needs to be able to support increasing growth. At this time I can't project growth very accurately, but we are drawing members from sites with thousands of registered and hundreds of active users. So when it gets fully up and advertised, I expect in the hundreds of active users at least.

- Host needs to have good Support. Obviously I can take up all vB support issues here, but I need a host that is willing to support my incompetent knowledge of other things that come up.

- Host needs to manage most of the technical background workings efficiently. Like I said, I'm willing to learn over time, and pick things up easily enough, but currently I have no knowledge beyond face value AdminCP/Website Creation and either need the background stuff managed or support in figuring it out.

This is individually run, has nothing to do with a company, and I doubt I expect to receive any profit from my endeavors in the future. All of these decisions fell on me rather quickly, and every time I think I understand how to make the switch, another more complex thing always comes into play. So, I'm inquiring for your help, since vB is the forums I am inclined to buy, and hope that you guys can help me figure this all out without too much difficulty or major monetary damage.

Regards,
Chris

Floris
Thu 25th Jan '07, 8:56am
You're currently showing up unlicensed, if you are running vbulletin already, please set yourself up for priority support, otherwise we can't help you.

For hosting .. any hosting provider will do, that has the experience of running vbulletin forums. On webhostingtalk.com and our hosting forums you can find reviews of respected hosts that have been in the business for a long time.

I always recommend to stay away from "newbies" hosting companies, as they always have issues in their first two years.

Lucifer1337
Fri 26th Jan '07, 6:31pm
Well, I think I've found a suitable host in:
http://www.b-powers.be/

Should be purchasing hosting service and the license tonight or tomorrow, so this thread can be closed, any further questions I have I'll ask in the necessary places when the time comes. Thanks for the help.

Chris