Host experiences and testimonials thread

[toddchris]

Dedicated Web Host Providor Needed!

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Vbulletin and most of my experience has been Windows based.

Can anyone recommend a dedicated web host provider that can support up to 30,000 subscribers and as many as 2,000 online at any one time?

I'm assuming I should go Linux and Apache. The site would also sells products so store options along with paypal and credit card capability is needed too.

One other nice-to-have requirement would be the ability to host multiple domains on the same machine. I thought this was a no-brainer, but some providors seem to make you choose one domain for that machine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

[Zidane007nl]

www.servage.net

Having major problems with Servage at the moment. Its getting to be a joke on our forums, oh servers down again, and off they pop elsewhere.

Is this normal for Servage.net ? We're actively researching moving now.

Same here. Lately I'm getting a lot of database errors (Lost connection to MySQL server during query) and sometimes my websites load as slow as hell...
When I contact the support of Servage, they say nothing is wrong every time and that I need to move the database to a different server, which also gives database errors...

I'm thinking of moving, but I need a host that can host multiple websites.

[Jingus]

I use Hostrocket and I can not even begin to give them the praise that they deserve.
I just started my second forum and they went out of their way to help me set it up and make all the adjustments that I wanted.
When they have a downtime (which are very rare) they always let you know in advance and it is usually very short.
Hostrocket gets my two thumbs up and I highly recomend them to any one looking for a host.

I'm thinking of moving, but I need a host that can host multiple websites.

Host rocket has a plan that will allow you to have up to ten different websites and it is on sale right now.

[Marc Smith]

Just as a heads up... I migrated to a dedicated server on Softlayer about 4 weeks ago. I had a problem a week ago and called them. They were very quick to tell me to do a ticket. They were not about to give me phone help.

I was on a server on the Planet for over 3 years. Over those years they never once told me that. They would try to help me on the phone and they would offer to start a ticket for me if they couldn't help right away. And I can tell you the people at the Planet always went out of their way to help on the phone like once when a memory stick appeared to be going bad - They started a ticket for me, did a complete diagnostic within an hour, replaced the memory stick and that was it. When I called the Planet with a problem they never rushed me and would typically stay on the phone while they tried a few things to solve the problem.

The Planet's phone support alone may be worth my migrating back to them in January. Tickets are fine, but a human on the phone when you need help fast is "priceless". I'm not saying they can solve every problem, but that they didn't just say "Start a ticket and we'll see what we can do" made a big difference to my peace of mind.

[StuRed]

Nightmare and a very pitiful service all around. More downtime than a sleeping dog under a shade tree. Customer support is one lie built on top of another. Just facts from my experience. I dumped them after giving them every opportunity to come clean.

https://dreamhost.com/

[MURRAY]

Forum Not Admin friendly

I have been running a small forum using this software for close to 12 months. (450 members) I feel the forum software is very lacking in the stats department.
How many guests visit in a day etc.
Also, There are patches and upgrades avbl that I have no idea how to install.
There is no help with the software which is not good.
I paid for the software and also to have it installed which I do not mind doing, but the following patches etc are a mystery to me.
I teach Photoshop etc so I am not computer illiterate, just php etc illiterate.
Have to log on here and try to trawl through heaps of threads trying to find an answer to simple problems.
Also the layout and headings in vBulletin Options in the admin area follows no logical sequence.
All in all I am not impressed with this software, especially the help.
Right now my forum is under constant attack by some low life individuals who sign up every day several times and attempt to post porn site links. I have all new sign ups set to moderation, so I am able to delete them at this point.
I want to be able to redirect the Register click on to a form which I will ask all intending members to fill in. I simply cannot find anywhere in the admin section to change the link for that.
I guess I just frustrated with the difficulty caused by lack of and at very best very poor HELP section that comes with the software.
Murray

[Marc Smith]

I have been running a small forum using this software for close to 12 months. (450 members) I feel the forum software is very lacking in the stats department.

You would probably be better off if you start a new thread (or threads) focused on your topic(s) and in the correct forum(s) rather than derail this thread.

As an FYI - All complex software has a learning curve, and no software is perfect with respect to everyone's individual expectations.

[talkbolts]

startlogic.com all the way! best I've seen so far. Been with them for a few years now.

Are you kidding? I have a VPS account with startlogic right now and they are terrible. It's so bad that they normally don't even answer their phones. The server is so slow that it has taken me over 10 minutes to even log into the control panel. The server once went down for almost 6 days with no explanation. I called and called every day it was down. when I did reach someone in support he was unaware there was even a problem. I could go on an on about how terrible this host is, but you'd be better served to check out http://www.startlogicsucks.com/

[greenchicken]

Softlayer.com has been very good for me

[TalkPhotography]

www.globalgold.co.uk

Can't recommend them highly enough.
Worked out a custom VDS with them to host our forums.

OK, theyre not the cheapest out there, but IME you get what you pay for and we've certainly received excellent service from them.

I'm quite new to some areas of server management etc, but I've had nothing but help and guidance, and theyve answered every query I've had with a smile. Can't get better than that.

Would definitely recommend them to other people.

Not only do they host us, but they also host the AVForums, which got my ears pricked up when I first heard of them. Big forums, and if they know how to host forums of that size, then thats experience enough for me

No question or request has been too small.

Thumbs up from us so far!

[petacat]

servage.net

Pros:

1. Bandwidth (never a problem with even 20Gb a week)
2. clustered servers - near 100% uptime
3. speed - blindingly fast until errors start
4. goodish control panel - many features but basic traffic analysis and firewall support
5. price is super cheap

Against:

1. Not really a PHP/forum host
2. low end support staff with poor knowledge of php and forums
3. One size hosting only - this means that you cannnot get better service if you need it

They were quite helpful at first and tried to improve performance but, as our forum grew they were not up to the task of hosting. We got thousands of database errors a day due to inadequate php resources and possibly even apache config issues. I gave them a link to the vBulletin recommended configuration settings and it seemed to overwhelm the tech support

I got escalated to the support supervisor who promised immediate action but then got no response.

The next thing that happened was that I was able to identify attempted DoS by someone(s) constantly loading graphics to use bandwidth. This high bandwidth usage seemed to coincide with a rash of database errors so it was worth investigating.

I asked how to check the IP of those using the most bandwidth and was given the following answers:
Tech: Go setup the anti-leeching protection.
Me: I have and it is not leeching but it is someone deliberately using bandwidth through the forum to attmpt to deny service (i had provided a link to the page which was getting 95%+ of the page requests)
Tech: Get yourself a programmer and fix your script.
Me: #$%@ ....

Lesson=get a hosting provider for forums.
servage is great for my static web pages with small pieces of php to do dynamic includes. They are not at all good for production forums.

[Deimos]

Zone.net = Very good host, their VPS's truly are the best imo. (Sas/scsi as opposed to SATA/IDE drives, never oversold, so their servers are damn fast for VPS')

bionhosting.com = .........bloody...awful, heh
I was only with them for a month, I just moved away due to their ultra poor support
They only SEEM to have two guys covering support (The co founders)
My server went down at 7:45am my time, was responding to pings, but nothing else
I lodged a ticket straight away, it went unanswered for 8 hours
The server was finally brought back up and they didn't even issue an apology, just "Oh the DC had a power surge"

[AJouse]

I use Hostrocket and I can not even begin to give them the praise that they deserve.
I just started my second forum and they went out of their way to help me set it up and make all the adjustments that I wanted.
When they have a downtime (which are very rare) they always let you know in advance and it is usually very short.
Hostrocket gets my two thumbs up and I highly recomend them to any one looking for a host.


Host rocket has a plan that will allow you to have up to ten different websites and it is on sale right now.

I want to use host rocket for my forum, and just want to make sure that I'm getting the right package. Will the one on the front page of Hostrocket.com that says "$4.99" a month work??

Thanks

[Mark.B]

http://www.wirenine.com

I moved to them in April 2007 after I outgrew my previous host, they are pretty good. Support responses are usually within a few hours, if not sooner.

I don't work for them and if they ever go rubbish I'll come back and say so.

Talking of which, I *used* to recommend imagelinkusa.net, but they were sold a year or so back and became so rubbish I had to leave after five years! Avoid them now.

[baghdad4ever]

hostican.com

they are really thieves

we take vps 256 mb ram for 1 year

and we take only 3 months and then they terminate our account without any warnning

presale team is very very good

but support team is very very bad

they r cheat customer

you live with hostican pretty good life for 2-3 months

after that the frustration occur

be aware from this sucks company