I'm really really really super-duper happy with my adult host that I found on this board (http://www.ecommercediscovery.com --now no one should ask about those hosts again cuz here is your answer for a top inexpensive host ^_~) . However, now I'm hoping that folks could recommend their webhosts for regular non-adult sites.

I've been waiting for a specific host. But I tested their download times and I get about 2K for large downloads. That speed will *kill* my media section and my download section. Also I don't want to host on a W2K server and they don't have a *nix plan.

Does anyone here host with a *reliable* host that can handle 700-1000MB sites (my mainsite is currently 400MB but grows every month) with about 20-30 Gig transfer with multiple domains pointing to different directories, and a fast download speed. There are a lot of downloads on my main site, from applications, fonts, winamp skins, and full length subtitled media. Another site that I run is for a small independent film company and again this is short film streaming media. So I *will* use *all* of the bandwidth I'm asking for (not every month, but a lot of them). Please be honest about the pros and cons of your host ^_^;;

If you have a host with these options (not something that you've had for only a couple weeks, but someone you've been hosting with for a while) please let me know. I've been looking through these boards and I can't find any posts that are about hosts with these kinds of options:

Basics (what I need):

*Nix Server
600-1000MB+
20-30 Gig Transfer+
*Fast Download* <--My current host gives me about 50-100K
10+ Multiple domains that point to subdirectories (i.e., own content) *no extra charge*
Static IP
50+ subdomains (for each domain) *no extra charge*
50+ User FTP accounts
Anonymous FTP
Audio/Video Streaming (RealMedia and WMP/V)
Flash/Shockwave Support
100+POP Email (for each domain)
SMTP Email (for each domain)
CGI-Bin (preferably a cgi-bin for each subdomain/domain/etc and whereever else I want to stick my scripts... I think it's called a wrapper or something)
SSI
Telnet or SSH access
5+ Mailing Lists
.htaccess control (404, password protection, hotlinking, etc.)
reliable uptime 99.whatever% (if your host's server goes down everyday please don't recommend them)
*knowledgeable* Technical Support with fast reply (24 hour for non-vital/ 1-2hour max for vital i.e., dead site)
monthly contract with option to extend to quarterly/yearly for discount
30 day back guarantee (no strings)
no setup fee (cuz I'm broke)

Price: *Gearhost* price 14.95 <--seriously doubt that's possible LOL! to 30 bucks 50 bucks if the host has all the higher ends of my needs ^_^)

Extras (would be really nice to have but not needed)

mime type control
preinstalled visual counter script
Mailman application
Conference Room application

Ability to set me up right away (like today or tomorrow so that I can start testing the server) It's Feb and my contract with my other company expires in March, so I really can't wait anymore to find out if another host can suit my needs, so please don't recommend Gearhost although that is the host that I did want to go with so badly :bawling:

I would just upgrade my ecommercediscovery to their highest account but they charge for extra domains and I don't think they point to seperate directories.

Anyway, if you host with anyone other than GearHost and you think your host rocks, please let me know. And if anyone sees a recommendation that they've personally had that was horrible please let me know too! I'm moving to another country and I may not have hispeed internet, so I really need to move my site *now* so that I won't have to be stuck with this other company for another 3months to a year. Granted if no one can help, I'll just be stuck with them, but I'm praying at least one person on this board has a busy web site/community and can help.

As I've already done a search before posting this and I've already done research off this board as well as going from my own experience, please don't suggest:

HostRocket
LiquidWeb
Any host that says unlimited/unmetered

Also, please don't recommend your host if your site uses less than 15-20Gig a month ^_^

Lordie this was a long post. Thanks again for helping find my adult host, hope you can help me again!


desperately seeking,
ochiba

20-30 Gig Transfer

You're probably going to find a hard time finding many pre-packaged plans with this level of tranfer. I don't know what your expected monthly outlay is for this plan, but have you considered consolidating all of your domains and accounts to one dedicated server? Obviously you might not want a dedicated server, or might not feel comfortable with one, but there are managed servers that might take care of that. I also am not sure how much hosting is costing you (all added up), and how much transfer you'd need all together either.

I second Chicken. I would strongly suggest you look into a dedicated server. You can have everything you listed, and much more, with a dedicated server. With a shared hosting plan, expect to either pay alot for it, it be disappointed in server performance and possibly bandwidth performance. Definitely not a $14.95/mo thing, here. :)

It may not seem cheap, but it'll probably turn out in the end. If you aren't comfortable with your own server, maybe use a control panel like Plesk, or like Chicken suggested, a managed one (but those can get costly, administrative time is not cheap).

There's lots of providers here offering a server for almost nothing these days. Look through the threads. Rackshack has some for pretty low costs.

I can't afford a managed server (and I hate dealing with tech support) and I am not knowledgeable enough to run a dedicated server (and won't be for a few months because I don't have time to learn right now) Also, all my sites are non-profit so I don't want to pay a lot just to run a few my dog spot sites.


I'm currently hosting with CQHost.com. I hate these guys not for their services but because their tech support sucks and they ripped me off for a month. They don't acknowledge or fix their screw ups, and I hate giving them my money. However, to be fair the server that they had me one was crapped, and they fixed it last month (of course my contract is for 3 months so the other months that I was down, they won't acknowledge and they don't care). I haven't had any problems since then, and I can host all of my domains for free on their site using my TrueVirtual cgi script.

I have *everything++* I listed from them (except the reliablity until last month and tech support)

I pay 108 for 3 months which is about 35 bucks.

Honestly, I want to leave them because they did suck. I have to admit they are much better now, but if their server falls apart again for months, or if I ever need to go through tech support or whatever I'm going to pull my hair out. Also, I *hate* paying for their services just because of a necessity. I won't give them props for being better, and I don't encourage anyone to sign with them. However, for myself... if I can't find a host I'm stuck with them. I don't want to bounce my mainsite around ever again, I just want to find it a nice home... and later if I can upgrade to a dedicated server most likely I will, but between my move, my hectic schedule, and my bills... it's not happening anytime soon.

With all my sites, I'm currently paying about 65 bucks. Gearhost said they wouldn't charge me until their *nix server came up but I'm being charged anyway so this month my hosting is 80 bucks. I can't afford this x_x else I'll have to spend more time working and less time eating chocochip cookies and brain numbing on the internet --and to do that would just be sinful.

ochiba

Why dont you post this in the requests forum of this site? Maybe you will get a host customize a plan for your needs :)

I don't want to go with just any host who says that they can offer what they can. I'd rather choose a host based off of the experience of folks here. There are a gazillion hosts online who are offering what I need. And I'm sure I could try them all >_< I just don't want to bounce my site around anymore. I'd like a permanent host and I don't want to be rebilled for plans that I'm not using right now.

Actually I think if you care to email Josh at ecommercediscovery and tell him your new requirements he might be able to customise your plan according to your needs.