Hosting

[PeteF]

It's been awhile since I've had a site (two years or more). I'd like to post my work, including reel. Any recommendations on some reliable hosts? Anybody doing blogs? What works, what doesn't? What are todays clients interested in seeing? Care to share some pointers? Thanks.

Pete

[riki]

Dreamhost are pretty good, there should be a link in my signature below, they've got some kind of special deal running at the moment. Works out around US$7.95 per month, 20Bg storage and 1 TB of monthly bandwidth.

[billmi]

I will note, as a former Dreamhost customer....

They canned my "unlimited bandwidth" shared hosting account, that was pulling 300 Gigs a month, because it was "putting too great a load on the server." This was just serving web content and streaming video. I countered that the server was inadequate for them to deliver the bandwidth they promised in the contract. They said that their contract specified "no downloads" and that HTML streaming video was a download, so regardless of the actual bandwidth used being nowhere close to their limit (the unlimited limit) the site was unacceptable for hosting under their program.

[John Perkins]

You can say that again ;)

EDIT:
I have nothing for or against Dreamhost. I've never used them.

I was making a joke because billmi somehow had multiple posts with the same text at one point.

[PeteF]

I gather it's pretty much hit or miss then -but I'll shy away from Dreamhost.

I'm not looking for dedicated server, just a shared hosting plan that won't shut me down when a hundred folks download my stuff in day.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about a blog or free site where I can hang my hat and show a few pics until I'm ready to commit to a contract. Any advice on that? Thanks.

[sadkkf]

I've used Cedant.com in the past. Absolutely the best host in my experience. I only switched because they're a bit pricey.

I'm using hostingplex now. Overall they're great and have great prices ($3.95/month) with tons of space and bandwidth. Their web-based email is a little dicey during peak hours, but otherwise I fully recommend.

[riki]

Mmm interesting to hear about problems with Dreamhost. I've never had any problems myself and several clients hosted with them. Admittedly though I've never tested the bandwidth limits.

[mgrusin]

I'm in the market as for hosting as well. I'm considering Laughing Squid because I know they're good guys, but Dreamhost blows them away for price (minus the aforementioned bandwidth bait and switch...)

The forums:

http://forums.webhostdir.com/
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/

...have discussion on providers, but remember the rule that people who are satisfied are less likely to speak up than those who aren't (never seen that around here! ;) )

Let us know what you decide! -MG.

[riki]

I wouldn't be too quick to write Dreamhost off. I've been with them since 98 and they're consistantly adding new features and improvements.

Also a "BIG" plus for me is their rewards program which pays US$97 for each referral, a fairly generous perk, if you think about it :)