[I figure this post is probably safest in here, since it's pretty self-promotional. I certainly wouldn't want to risk the wrath of the CDS. :)]

Check out http://www.hostkarma.com

I'm starting yet another hosting review site. There are a few crucial differences here, though, and hopefully they're enough to be worth some of your time.

The site has a really solid review engine, and I'd like to see it put to use. There is also a simple meta-moderation system that will help to sort the useful reviews out from the chaff.

Both hosting clients are providers are welcome. Clients, review the services you've received, without fear of filtering to please advertisers. Providers, get exposure for your services from a site that will be known for its integrity. When critical review mass has been received, we will be ranking providers based on customer reviews.

What about ballot-stuffing, bogus reviews, etc.? We're bringing some good technology online to stop these practices. This is combined with good, old-fashioned human review of new postings. Let's keep this on the level and provide a good resource to everybody!

Thanks for your time...

Just a suggestion...you may want to have the ***** search open to another page. The last thing you want is for someone to do what I did...did the search and started roaming around on HostSearch (I hadn't been there in ages...forgot about the site actually). This is rather a low blow, but you may want some people to write a review on their site about ***** (my fiancee would be more than happy to do so) to prove they were submitted blah blah day and never posted. That way you have PROOF, not just a slanderish statement.

I do have a question...how can you filter out reviews without filtering out good reviews. For example...people might post a review on AOL because they are still stuck with the host, want to share their experience, and do not want it traced.

I also think, to support your integrity, you should put your important disclosure out on the table...not in the small print, per se. I think it would work more in your favor than against you. Matter of fact, in my opinion, you should have the blurb on your disclosure page on your front page. Just like the PigHost thread in the other forum...he had the integrity to admit what he did and I have to respect him for that. For you, you are obviously doing something that many would feel is a DIRECT conflict of interest, but you are putting it on the table and saying hey, I did this because I am tired of people getting cheated, NOT because I am trying to promote my company (which of course you will be doing in a positive light), and you would be earning the respect of your viewers.

Ok, just my two cents...now it is coffee time! :)

That's a good suggestion in regard to the ***** link... thanks. There's (hopefully) nothing slanderous about what's being said about HostSearch, but I do have several anecdotes to back it up. It would be nice to have a few concrete cases to post there, though, if anybody doesn't mind submitting a ***** review and watching for it to fall into the bit bucket.

I actually thought long and hard about whether to include this reference to *****/HostSearch at all, but I want people to see the kind of twisting that's going on at these sites.

I'm a little confused about your filtering question... HOSTKarma doesn't filter reviews at all.

That's a great suggestion regarding the "cards on the table" section - I had wondered if the link at the bottom of the pages was sufficient, but it can never hurt to be too straightforward about things.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Yep Travis, anything promoting a site you run should be put here (this is what it is for), and you are welcome to use this forum for this purpose. I actually wish more members would list their site here as well, since I'm some people have some mighty helpful sites.

Thanks, Chicken - and I'll echo what he says... promote yourself if you have something of use! :)

By the way, an addendum to the above post... HOSTKarma is now paying for host reviews - seriously. Visit the site for details:

http://www.hostkarma.com

For $3? lol..

How long does it have to be?

What the hey, I need a pack of smokes :)

It doesn't have to be very long... just make a reasonable attempt at letting people know what your hosting experience is like. If it's good, you probably won't have a lot to say. (But mention at least a few facets of the service, if you can.) If it's bad, you might have a *lot* to say. :)