I've been pulling my hair out trying to make a good decision on this. I wish I had found this board about four hours ago :)

I switched from Mindspring/Earthlink a few weeks ago because I needed MySQL and PHP. I chose www.avidhosting.com based on a recommendation from someone I later found out doesn't know much. I can't really complain about the service there though, they have been great. The only problem is my site is way to slow, so I have to move on.

I need about 100 megs of space, a couple of gigs of bandwidth, MySQL and PHP. My site has a vbulletin board just like this one and I use vbportal for the main site now, so it is almost entirely dependent on php and mysql. So, could someone recommend a host that isn't so slow? I'm looking for around $25 a month or less, but could spend a little more if the speed of the site is better.

woops, forgot a sig in my profile :)

John Miser

<<Please set up a signature (see PROFILES above)>>

I'm gonna give Aletia (http://www.aletiahosting.com/) a shot, since they seem pretty good and a ton of people on here recommended them. They've got some really sweet deals and seem to have pretty much everything I'm looking for (php, multiple mySQL databases, lots of bandwidth and server space and cheap)... if they're even half as good as they claim to be, I'll be happy.

Wow, they look great, I've decided to go with aletia. I found a few reviews on them, and there plans are very inexpensive and have everything I need and more. I think the thing that settled it for me though is that they actually have an active discussion forum. None of the others I checked on had a forum, which makes me think they are hiding something. If you have a forum you are risking letting dissatisfied customers have there say in public.

Thanks again, I'm going to sign up for them tonight.

P.S. To those of you who sent me private emails recommending a host, my reasoning for skipping you is the same as the reason for choosing Aletia. I get the feeling that you were scared to post here for all to see.

The hosts that PMed you couldn't post here for all to see because its against the rules.
from the rules:

Participants may not use the forum to publish or discuss any information regarding their product or services, or any product or services they are, or have been, associated with. This includes suggesting your own services.

Also I know of a host that pmed you and had a forum ;) .

Good luck with aletia

I wouldn't rush into Alieta. I'm there now and want out. Four days in a row of considerable downtime. GOing on 2 hours right now :(.

http://aletiaforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1556&pagenumber=2

If anyone know of services comaprable to Alieta, let me know.

Guess I should read the rules before spouting off, sorry about that.

It seems aletia is really having troubles after all. I think I will be giving my PM's and email a second look.

I think you should contact eCommerceDiscovery.Com and see what they can offer you. I've only been with them a few days but have found them MORE than friendly, professional and worthwhile. I truly believe they are one of the best hosts out there, especially for the price!

Kind Regards and Good Luck, Jack D.

Damn it. Aletia is down again. Over 3 hours total today and thats in addition to the last 4 days that had downtime :(