I just wrote a 1 month review of DIYHosting.net at their user forums. Because I used WHT so much in choosing a host I thought I would also post here for those interested. Review is of their H-Sphere services.

I will warn you ahead of time - this is a long and in depth review.

- - -
I have offically been with DIY for 1 month now and thought I would share some of my opinions. (Plus they have these kick @$$ contests that they force you to write reviews. Good business strategy)

I own a firm that provides web soultions and we need to offer hosting with those solutions. Plus it is 100 times better to be able to control all your own hosting features and server options when design. I went to webhostingtalk.com and did a lot of research. We are talking 4-6 weeks of research where I read a lot of threads, asked some questions, and visited lots of hosting websites.

What brought me to DIY:
#1 - They had an active forum community and participated at WHT
#2 - They are regarded very highly at WHT and in the few weeks I watched them work they were constantly progressing their services.
#3 - A very well rounded package of services, that has only gotten better with the H-Sphere version upgrade. Note on H-Sphere: By far the best reseller control panel. H-Sphere is the ultimate in flexibilty and robustness. It is a no-brainer that being able to have seperate mail, database, dns, and web servers will create a more versatile, more stable, and overall much better performing hosting solution. Plus you get the flexibilty of dual-platforms, which to a web developer is a nice bonus.

So those factors were the main things in pushing me to go with DIY.

In my 30 days what have I liked:
#1 - Support is phenomonal. They answer the phones, they are available for online chat even more often than the hours they post on their website, they are available on this forum, and then also have a good support ticket system.

#2 - They CONSTATNLY INOVATE. In the last few weeks they have brought the control panel up to the latest and greatest, went from 1 webmail option to 4 or more, upgraded their DIY Reseller Kit, upgrader their phone system, upgraded their support ticket system, upgraded their Nework Status section and services. - I mean I kid you not I have almost started coming to the forum daily just to see what DIY is doing now. And make no mistake about it - these updated solutions are providing a much broaded set of features for clients and resellers.

#3 - They are honest. If it is not the best or it is broke, they admit it. They have the attitude, "yea that could be better" and then as I said above them make it better. Last week or 2 they have had some Network issues. Not entirely their fault, but they are correcting it by moving to the best datacenter on the planet (coincidently @ The Planet).

#4 - They bend over backwards for customers. Free phone walkthroughs, free component installs, and as much support as you need via forum or other matters.

#5 - Control panel works just as well as advertised - true flexibilty and ability for customization.

What has been dissapointing?
Nothing.

What could be improved?
#1 - H-Sphere is difficult and the DemoDemo videos don't always tell me what I need. The H-Sphere knowledge base needs to happen. I have had 2 instances where I didn't understand something, which I googled, and got walkthroughs from other H-Sphere providers. Not a huge complaint - and had I put in a ticket or asked on the forum I would have been taken care of - but good old help pages give more instant gratification.

#2 - Network uptime as I said has had a few issues lately. I am confident they learned their lesson with patches (will always do on test cluster first) and they are switching datacenters ASAP. But it is something I will be watching for.

#3 - Notifications and support when the network goes down has been a little hit and miss during the recent downtimes. They have said the last incidents communication could be better. They have already taken steps to fix this (moving diysupport.com to seperate server/network is great) so I am confident this as well will be much improved. But again watching this a little.

#4 - Weekly/Bi-Weekly newsletters should happen. I brought this up in previous posts. One of the problems DIY runs into is a product of their own success. Because they update and improve solutions SO frequently, it can be hard to stay up to date with everything that is provided and where to go to get certain info. An email newsletter giving an update on what has been changed or improved would drastically help everyone stay on the same page. It would also give them some time to showcase all of the things they are doing to make the service better, gloat if you will.

Overall Grade - 9/10
Not much to gripe about. Those places for improvement are all somewhat in the works. Get all those systems in place and operating and the service would be darn near perfect.

I think DIY provides a tremendous value for the money and a great set services. I look forward to a long relationship.
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Anybody interested can also view this review at DIY's own forums at: community.eirca.com/showthread.php?p=2415#post2415

denlight.net, that's a very nice and very detailed review. It's good to read that Simon and the team at DIYhosting are doing a good job.

Congratulations DIYhosting and thank you denlight for taking time to post this review!

Okay so I mentioned how quickly DIY updates things - well today they released the 4th update to their DIY Reseller Kit. (1.04)

Included in that kit is a much better set of H-Sphere tutorials. I had not installed or viewed the kit when I reviewed. I mentioned this was a point for improvement and it is actually something they have already made better. Better since I reviewed them half an hour ago - how do they do it? lol

Anyway, just wanted to correct that statement. The docs still have a little room for improvement.

Thanks for the review, Denlight.net

A very quick note on #4 on what could be improved; This was implemented about 6 hours ago :) (see customers only section of the forum)

RE: The H-Sphere knowledgebase - that is in the works, yes. It's unfortunate for H-Sphere users that the order of implementation wound up with H-Sphere being last of the 3 :(

Thanks again,
Simon

Great review denlight.net, thankyou.

In respect to the 4 'could be improved', I know that number 4 was initiated yesterday, and diysupport.com's move to Atlanta went nicely, so that is now very much "off network" :)

The process we were aiming for with the knowledgebase, was to get the reseller kit out before the end of next week, and then complete the knowledgebase(s) in conjunction with it, and to compliment it.

I am doing bit work on the knowledgebase with Stiofan this evening, the current 'offline' number of articles is 117, we hope to get that up to 200/300 and then publish the HSphere articles within the next 4 days.

Again, thankyou for the review, it is sincerely appreciated to hear suggestions tied in with the overall review, and I assure you that any point brought up in your review on our forum (and here) will be addressed immediately.

Regards
Callum Donaghie

Good to know that there are great hosts out there like that. Glad to hear about your great experience.

Originally posted by denlight.net
(Plus they have these kick @$$ contests that they force you to write reviews. Good business strategy)


Is this the reason why you have written this review. Seems like very well drafted and excellent proof done on this review. Hmmm no doubt any one can understand why such a wonderful FIRST post.:D

Great work Simon:D

Originally posted by iAngel
Is this the reason why you have written this review. Seems like very well drafted and excellent proof done on this review. Hmmm no doubt any one can understand why such a wonderful FIRST post.:D

Great work Simon:D
Actually, the prize draw is for anyone that gives us feedback (good or bad) via our own customer forum. The only way we can improve, is for users to tell us what is lacking, and what is not.

More often than not, users will not take time out of their often busy day to fill in such extensive feedback forms, or post extensive feedback. By offering an incentive to users to take 30-40 minutes from their day to help us improve, it urges them to shuffle things around.

If denlight.net wishes to post his review elsewhere, then that is his perogative.

I know what you're trying to imply however, and it's offside. FYI: unless 5 just became the first number, I don't think this is Denlight.net's first post on WebHostingTalk.

Normally, I would ask that you edit your post and take note of the be polite rule, but what the hey, if a review of DIYHosting bothers you so much to insinuate such things, then I won't even bother.


Simon

Originally posted by iAngel
Is this the reason why you have written this review. Seems like very well drafted and excellent proof done on this review. Hmmm no doubt any one can understand why such a wonderful FIRST post.:D

Great work Simon:D

Yea, not my first post and I have about 30 over in the DIY forum. And as I said in my review I sat in these very forums for a number of weeks listening. Only posted a few times.

That review was written straight, I didn't go back and proofread - and I wasn't drafting PR copy for DIY. Yes I write that coherently on the first shot, and I did have a couple errors.

I assure you I am only giving my honest opinion on the service. Had DIY not been having a contest I would have still posted a review, except I might have waiting a few months instead. I think if anything DIY's contest policy is a just plan great idea. DIY gets feedback + or - and customers have a chance, only a chance at a prize for their time. It is simple good business.

= I also want to say, my suggestions for improvement we're fairly picky and as I said they are a 9/10 operation as to date. I agree that in the past 24 hours 2 of my 4 suggestions have been worked upon - but that is because they were already in the works.

These guys are good.

Originally posted by denlight.net
[B]I(Plus they have these kick @$$ contests that they force you to write reviews. Good business strategy)



Not insinuating anything, but from the rules:

Participants may not solicit any external source to post on this forum regarding their company, services, or products; or any company, services, or products they are or may be associated with.

It's a good review though and I hope more users will write detailed reviews like that as it really adds value to WHT.

Originally posted by idologic_dh
Not insinuating anything, but from the rules:

Participants may not solicit any external source to post on this forum regarding their company, services, or products; or any company, services, or products they are or may be associated with.

It's a good review though and I hope more users will write detailed reviews like that as it really adds value to WHT.
Please read the thread.

We did not ask him to post here, nor even point him to WHT. The review is for our OWN FORUM, and off his own back.

I do not see how that excerpt from the rules has any place in this thread. It's very sad to see members get all uppity over a good review. Very sad indeed.


Simon

Originally posted by IHSL

We did not ask him to post here, nor even point him to WHT. The review is for our OWN FORUM, and off his own back.


Ah, allright, that wasn't clear to me. I thought you asked them to post all over... either way, it's a good review.

It's very sad to see members get all uppity over a good review. Very sad indeed.People are often skimming. Time is short. ;)

Now, this is OK when you're just reading a thread/post for yourself. However, when replying, and especially when making allegations, I think people should take the time to carefully read what's been said.

(Plus they have these kick @$$ contests that they force you to write reviews. Good business strategy)


I personally know that Simon is completely against coaching someone to post a review at WHT.

However, without implying anything, I think the client themselves implied, without realizing it, this very thing with the statement I quoted.

I think this is why everyone continues posting about it.

Although I know Simon would not condone that type of behavior, that statement from the client (even when reading the whole post), if taken for exactly what it says alone, implies a lot.

DIY is indeed a nice company. I've had the pleasure of working with them, and have only good things to say about their hosting, when we tested the Windows™ market.

Well, I think this has been beat to death pretty well, but I thought I would chime in one last time.

I can see how those of you were confused from my post as far as the writing reviews part, I didnt specify. I wrote the review for the DIY forum and I noted that in my original post.

DIY doesn't ask anybody to go reviewing all over the internet. They do ask for a review on their own forum, in order to enter the contests, and as I said before that is completely legitimate.

Also - I did not miss understand where I had to write a review or anything else. It was originally posted in the DIY forum and then since I had taken my time to write it, I decided to come back to WHT and post it here as well.

You hear people all the time on here saying how many people come to WHT, get some knowledge, pick a host, and never come back. I came back.

You hear people all the time on here saying how many people come to WHT, get some knowledge, pick a host, and never come back. I came back.


Yes you did, and some of use wish we had more clients like you. You found your host here, and came back to let everyone know.

Some clients will only come back if there is something bad to tell. :)

Your current bandwidth reading is:

3.68 Mbps

which means you can download at 470.51 KB/sec. from our Houston datacenter.



http://diyhosting.net/bandwidthmeter/initialmeter.php


:)

Not entirely their fault, but they are correcting it by moving to the best datacenter on the planet (coincidently @ The Planet).

Interesting... I experienced great performance and uptime in their existing datacenter. I wonder what could be the reason to move to The Planet. Anyway, good luck to DIYhosting and congratulations!

Originally posted by Anomium
Interesting... I experienced great performance and uptime in their existing datacenter. I wonder what could be the reason to move to The Planet. Anyway, good luck to DIYhosting and congratulations!
For while, the new private DC was an awesome option, 10 and 100mBit into each server was of course inducing awesome speeds.

But, like many companies as of late, we've been getting hit repeatedly with DoS attacks, and just after averting that, the network began to slip.

We will be keeping some servers at the "old" DC for a while and testing as to whether they learned their lesson (TWTC could not get "in" to the datacenter for 8 hours). However, based on the past 6 weeks, it's not fair to resellers to keep them on what has now become a test network.


Simon