You (general "you", not directed to you, Jury) should read this one, too: http://www.scriptkeeper.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/001085.html

Looks like quite a few people got a similar email with the same lack of notice to shutdown.

------------------
Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

This is what my friend got today from CT:

After looking through your website, I have realized the .exe. and other file
downloads put your site in violation of our Terms of Service, as found at: http://www.communitech.net/hosting/virtual/policies/qos.cgi. Due to this,
the site will be immediately suspended and will not be re-activated on July
21 at 6:00 PM CST. The only way in which you will be able to have continued
services with our company is if you decide to go with a dedicated server, in
which the Terms of Service for this service with our company, does not
include file distribution. If you do not decide to go with a dedicated
server, we will keep the account open until the server is built, but other
than that there are is no other option with this matter. You can research
any of our competitors and you will find these same rules and regulations
within their Terms of Service as well. Sorry for the inconvenience, but
please respond as soon as possible, because if I do not hear back from you
by 6:00 PM CST this Friday, you will be permenantly deleted.

Be afraid of Communitech !!! When ne signed up to their service there were NO policy about zip and exe files !

Wehave received numerous requests for Communitech's hosting clients to transfer to hosting4less.com.

The major reason for transfer that was told to us was high cpu and/or bandwidth usage. The people have been upset since Communitech claims unlimited bandwidth as part of their selling features.

At Hosting 4 Less we make no such claims we tell our customers exactly what they get and how much it costs.

If you are interested in a company that focuses on customer service and states in writing exactly what you get then plese visit our site at http://www.hosting4less.com

Ok Mr Hosting 4 less, no one asked for a company recommendation or spam in this msg, he was simpaly warning people so I suggest you don't start down the path of advertising yourself everyone just because you found these forums.

Sincerely
Daniel Pearson
UltraSpeed USA~

The operative term in their policies regarding file distribution is "primary purpose". You didn't post your friend's URL so we don't know just how many files he had for download.

While such notices may not seem pleasant to receive, they are considerably better than what some hosts do, shut you down without notice. Consider that before you protest too loudly. It is actually a fair and responsible practice for those sites that have exceeded their fair share of shared resources.

[This message has been edited by Duster (edited 07-20-2000).]

Hosting4less is one of those "unlimited" host's...yah 600 mb and 25 gigs a month...really unlimited!

Quit spamming Eric

and PS: i like the way your dad put a "positive" review on hostsearch :)

Jury,
What kind of content do you have on your site?

Duster,

I would like to know what Judge Judy has to say about these types of actions/messages?

Gerard

Communitech has a terrible reputation for shutting down websites *without warning*. Duster, there's no practical difference between "without notice" and "without warning." In either case the webmaster is screwed. CT has been doing this for years. The loudest complainers are UBB users whose websites have been building interest for months or years, so it's not as if a sudden jump in traffic is catching everyone at CT by surprise.

"It is actually a fair and responsible practice"

No, it's not. "Fair" is a warning as soon as a limit is reached *in advance of* the termination point, so the webmaster has sufficient time to make a decision and move the website. That's how companies *should* treat their customers.

Today's morning I myself got this mail from Communitech too :(. So now I'm moving to another host and pray CT won't shut it down before I move it completely.

My site is site of two shareware authors, and yes, most of its traffic are our programs - indeed file distribution, while not warez, only our own programs. They are Chameleon Clock and ActiveSkin, URL is http://www.softshape.com.

Jury.

I have been with CT for just over a full year and during their really bad times this past year. I have supported them.

But my mind is beginning to change.

My site hasn't gottetn that letter but the way they are "reading" their TOS seems way out of bounds.

They are NOT shutting down for CPU usage--that is what they are saying. It sounds like they are shutting down for copyright reasons more.

They have added something in their TOS that states that sites like Pokemon, wrestling, RPG (games) are non permitted because they are not professional!

Photo archives are not permitted now. File distribution not permitted even with mp3.

According to one person the board, the sales or tech rep told him that it is okay to have that mp3 but once it is downloaded it is a distribution!

WHAT?!

As of this moment I am with CT, but have begun shopping around just in case my site is next. There is nothing copywritten on my site, and isn't even near the "unlimited" bandwidth (which is actually 17 Gig).

CT continues to say it is CPU usage and excessive usage, but after reading thru many of the complains, carefully studying the TOS, and seeing how CT is responding, soemthing else is going on over there.

Originally posted by CT USER:
soemthing else is going on over there.

Reading all these posts about CT, has really made me wonder the same thing. Does anyone else think it's strange that all the sudden people are getting notices that their sites will be terminated by the end of today? So many people, and all have until tonight... Makes me wonder if CT is in jeopardy somehow, maybe they have been bitten by the "unlimited" bug and their provider has given them the same ultimatum? I don't know, it's just a thought. Although it could be any number of other things too.

p.s. Don't get the impression I'm siding with anyone; although I do think giving more notice would be the more professional way to go if someone's business is important to them.

------------------
tk

Whoops! There goes another $.02!

[This message has been edited by tk (edited 07-21-2000).]

tk, maybe CT just got too big too fast.

Well, watching the board for the past few hours today while at work things seem to be about the same. It seems like those that didn't get the email are getting kinda nervous.

I honestly can't figure out who is right and who is wrong in this. CT is known for doing this and about a year ago this happened hugely. Now it's happening again. CT says it is mainly for CPU usage, and a few case of copyright materials and breaking the TOS.

I do believe it is something else. Not sure what, but it is something else going on. Supposedly the CEO gave the word and boom it's happening!

It's kinda nerve racking. But I think I found a hoster that I like and now beginning to research it and see what others think of it.

For anyone thinking of going with CT, they are good overall (we have never had problems with them) but their business tactics are a little to be desired.

I've read a lot about these types of companies... ***** is one of the worst about shutting people off =( .... Though, I'd like to make a shameless plug for the people that do my hosting... domainbuilder.net ... I've received better service with them than I have with anyone else to date. I think it's a smaller company ... a dozen people or so, but it's just like the utility companies, the larger the host provider, the harder it is to get anything done right! Just my 2 cents!

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.petflytrap.com

Oh," TARGET=_blank>www.petflytrap.com

Oh,</A> C'mon, You'll LOVE
'em!

jaie, Why is your ip the same as PhUnBOi?

Originally posted by Jury:
My site is site of two shareware authors, and yes, most of its traffic are our programs - indeed file distribution, while not warez, only our own programs

Am I wrong in thinking that this type of site (unless they use a cgi file protecting script), would NOT use up much CPU resources and that bandwidth is about the only thing it would consume?

Seems to me that CT is, probably always has been, and possibly always will be, the best example of a host stating something they don't offer?

NOTE: please see the NEW topic I started that tries to address this issue (on this same board :) )

[This message has been edited by Chicken (edited 07-21-2000).]

Hi, I host my site on CT, and after reading this forum, I'm a bit scared :), the problem is I quite satisfied with their feature such as control panel, web based email, many stats software, subdomain and others. Please please don't think I'm promoting this hosting! So if they closed your site, have one of you found other hosting that gives the features like CT does ? It would be better if it got lower price, I'll move my sites also :)

Well.. CT has a hard time getting their clients to understand their policies. Also I am a bit stunned by the discrimination against pokemon sites, rpg sites, etc. To me, a professional business site should NOT host with them since I have heard numerous complaints about slow service, communication issues, etc. etc. A business depends heavily upon uptime, good tech support/communication, etc. etc. If anything CT is made for a personal site not a business.

I will be moving soon to vservers.com. CT was great for my non-business site but if they are going to discriminate against mine, I will pay more to get more elsewhere.

Wait... Update!

Did CT really say that they are banishing fan and rpg sites in their AUPs?! I see no mention of it...

Awww shoot! never mind I see it! Major bummer...

CommuniTech.Net prohibits websites which primarly promote Pokémon, professional wrestling (WWF,WCW), photo archives, software distribution, and gaming (RGP). Websites of this nature are considered non-professional and are not welcome.

Just to make sure it wasn't a typo, I called and asked if all RPG sites and clan sites for games like Half Life are not allowed.

The woman I talked to said that on virtual servers, you can't have that, but that she "would be happy to quote a dedicated server price".

Communitech, what happened? It almost sounds like they are trying to get out of the hosting business and go with dedicated servers.


------------------
Mike Astin
WebAuthorities
http://www.webauthorities.com

I have read many threads with regards to their business practices and I wouldn't recommend them for any type of hosting, whether personal or business oriented.

Check out http://www.scriptkeeper.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/001085.html for more details on how they treat their customers.

------------------
"I AM!"

[This message has been edited by tabernack (edited 07-31-2000).]

I had this thought whilst in bed last night watching yet another re-run of robocop im glad a pay a T.V License so that they can put re-runs on and not make new programs lol.

Maybe there trying to change there company completly and stop offering Virtual hosting and just do dedicated hosting?. if so i think there going about it completly then wrong way about it. What do others think ?

This was a big concern for me as the webmaster of Hostglobal.com, another webhosting directory. Communitech hosts my site as well as has an advertising campaign on the site.

So when I started getting complaints about Communitech, I emailed Gabe, the president of Communitech to ask him what was going on and that if he didn't have a good explanation, I would have to remove his campaign.

He called me right away, pretty upset. Anyways, the bottom line is that he admits that they haven't been monitoring cpu resource usuage for the last 7 months and as they have grown very large, they have many clients that violate copyright. He told me on the order of 2500 sites. Things like MP3 etc. I read the policy and it said Pokemon and wrestling which is a little dubious.

He also claimed that about 250 sites or so were using up too many CPU resources. Bandwidth wasn't really the issue but when a site takes 30% of the server's resources, it's unfair to the other 500 (I think that is how many websites are on a server) websites.

Anyways, I know it is a business and business is about making money so I let them go on that but I told him that there didn't seem to be enough warning.

I find that in this webhosting industry, the good hosts are the ones that excel in customer service and keep that service in place as they grow.

That's my two bits on the situation.

Sincerely, Kevin

------------------
Hostglobal.com (http://hostglobal.com)
Over 1600 Reviews

Some people at CT are very ignorant & arrogant.
I moved ALL my account else were and I am very happy about it.
my 02 c

------------------
TICOVISTA - 1Costa Rica Search Engine & Directory (http://www.ticovista.com)
info@ticovista.com

I've never visited hostglobal before so I checked it out. The owner of Communitech whines so they keep their campaign and they are a featured host. I won't go back. You mentioned making money Kevin, gotta be honest, seems like that's all you are in it for if you maintain their position as a seemingly favored host. They belong in the Consumer Alert category based on recent actions and their CC fiasco.

------------------
Chris Marks
KBS Web Hosting (http://www.netfronts.com)
http://www.netfronts.com

Kevin, your BS attitude towards a host that's been closing busy accounts *without warning* for at least a year that I know of has earned your website a "stay away" rating on my own how to find a host page:
http://www.forumhosts.com/hosts.htm

What a load of crap you wrote, ignoring CTs actions because the owner is "upset." Their practices should put them on your "Consumer Alert" list instead in your "Featured" category. I hope you realize that your post here has destroyed any credibility you might have had in *this* community!

I quote Kevin's message below, in its entirety, in case he tries to go back and edit it as other's have done after putting their feet in it:



This was a big concern for me as the webmaster of Hostglobal.com, another webhosting directory. Communitech hosts my
site as well as has an advertising campaign on the site.

So when I started getting complaints about Communitech, I emailed Gabe, the president of Communitech to ask him what was
going on and that if he didn't have a good explanation, I would have to remove his campaign.

He called me right away, pretty upset. Anyways, the bottom line is that he admits that they haven't been monitoring cpu
resource usuage for the last 7 months and as they have grown very large, they have many clients that violate copyright. He
told me on the order of 2500 sites. Things like MP3 etc. I read the policy and it said Pokemon and wrestling which is a little
dubious.

He also claimed that about 250 sites or so were using up too many CPU resources. Bandwidth wasn't really the issue but
when a site takes 30% of the server's resources, it's unfair to the other 500 (I think that is how many websites are on a server)
websites.

Anyways, I know it is a business and business is about making money so I let them go on that but I told him that there didn't
seem to be enough warning.

I find that in this webhosting industry, the good hosts are the ones that excel in customer service and keep that service in
place as they grow.

That's my two bits on the situation.

Sincerely, Kevin

------------------
Hostglobal.com
Over 1600 Reviews

Hi Deb,

Just one thing I wanted to clarify about your page you have Kevs site listed on.

The part where you said "Don't make the mistake of assuming our problems were specific to the specialty software we're running. Incompetence, under-staffing, and/or dishonesty affect every website on a server. The complete list of hosts we have tried and left, and recommend you avoid, are *****, AbleWebs / SecureWebs, Intersessions, Tri Star Web, Hurricane Electric, and Virtualis / Virtualisys."

I actually on a Virtualis server - And I was curious as to why you didn't like them.

I realise that they have gotten a bad reputation due to the fact that they run an affiliate program - which leads to people hyping it up in the hope of making a sale.

Did you leave them because of the reputation that the affiliate program has created, or did you feel that they weren't up to scratch?

They have really improved in the last 3-6 months, and I feel they should be off the list.

Anyway - if you have had a bad experience with them I understand you having them on your list, and you are well within your rights to do so :) -&gt; They are a host I feel comfortable recommending though.

Cheers

------------------
Webhost Area Forums! (http://www.webhostarea.com/forums/)

Hi Michael. I warn people away from Virtualis/Virtualisys because it took so long to hear back from tech support when I needed more than simple information, and when I did hear back the e-mails were relatively unhelpful. I have continued to see complaints about this, so I doubt anything has changed since I tried them out.