I currently use CWI, it's been down (again) for more than a week STRAIGHT, I've finally learned my lesson and decided to switch. Why did it take so long (3 months) to decide to switch? Because stupid me paid a whole year's fee :(
Anyway, I will post more about CWI later on, because if I have a goal in my life now, that will be to make sure CWI DIES, so keep this in mind everyone and help me out later ok? :)
So for the big question for now, VO or Catalog? I don't care too much about pricing, since now I understand that reliability is the most important thing (I have over 3000 members to express my sincere apologies to...), even though Catalog seems to be more attractive for the initial pricing. I get close to 10,000 hits a day, it's growing very quickly but not enough for me to get dedicated server right away, so I probably will need virtual hosting for another 3 months before going for dedicated, and I hope to stay in the SAME company for the future, which is why it is important to find the RIGHT company, right?
What I need is a reliable hosting company, and I've seen all the praises about VO here btw, so now I want an honest comparison between VO and Catalog. I'm moving towards VO since I don't see too many comments about Catalog, so any help here will be VERY much appreciated.

i guess if you really want redundancy and the works, rackspace.com would be the way to go. out of the 2 companies you mentioned, i would go with VO.

Originally posted by teck
i guess if you really want redundancy and the works, rackspace.com would be the way to go...

Ironically, CWI's servers are at rackspace (as far as I know).

Thanx for the quick replies guys, I did a quick check on rackspace.com, but they didn't have any virtual server deals, just dedicated, and they seemed to be very good, but way too expensive when compared with VO? Am I wrong or missing something? I did say that I didn't care too much about pricing, but so far VO is pretty attractive, and with all the praises about it just in this website, I'm moving more towards VO than Catalog, even though it has the most attractive deals (at least for dedicated servers). I'm waiting for someone who knows more about Catalog... Anyone? :)

Originally posted by Vector@rmf
I'm waiting for someone who knows more about Catalog... Anyone? :) Most of what I know about them is secondhand, but I do work with a nonprofit organization that has had a site at Catalog for a while, more than a year. They have no complaints, and haven't noticed any downtime -- but they don't actively monitor that. I've helped them out with a few things, and personally I don't really like Catalog's control panel, but that's a pretty minor point.

Rackspace.com is a little bit more expensive; but they know what they're doing.

They're a model for a really good dedicated server program. I think a lot of companies (ourselves included) could learn a thing or two from them.

ahh okay, i thought you were looking for a dedicated server. i've heard lots of good things about VO's virtual accounts. as you know, they are dual 1ghz machines. pretty sweet. i would go with them.

Are you looking for virtual servers or virtual hosting?

Originally posted by WeinBar
Are you looking for virtual servers or virtual hosting?

Ummm, shared servers to put it simple? I think virtual hosting is like those free hosting where they put their banners on your site? No, I want shared servers, or virtual servers I guess, till my site grows a bit more, and I hope to switch to dedicated in the same company that I hope to switch soon, and it looks like all you guys are VO or RS.
So now for conclusion... I can see RS is damn more expensive than VO, any reason to use RS more over VO if all you guys say VO is damn good too? I mean, if both are damn good and one is so much cheaper, I should use VO right? :)

http://www.hostmatters.com
http://www.venturesonline.com

Good places.
Simply,
Zach
ICUServices

I am with Venturesonline and have been for over a month now - can highly recommend them. As mentioned before, their servers are dual 1 GHz P3 and even has 1 Gig of ram too :)

Recommended! Highly!

I plan to get a dedicated server within the coming year and am not worried, one iota, about having Ventures Online set it up.

Their virtual accounts are set up nicely and I LOVE the control panel. :) The dedicated server will have many more features than the account I have now, and due to the fine service I've received thus far, I am confident that any problems I have will be taken care of. (Perhaps the major problems will be at a fee but I'll take that out of my rackspace savings :) -- although I have talked to a couple of people who have new dedicated's with VO and they told me the experience has been smooth.)

Also VO has a new users forum where we customers can all pool our knowledge and resources to help each other out. It's been an outstanding tool so far and I think a great benefit to participants and lurkers alike.

Just my little .02 :) Good luck in making your choice! Kudos for checking out your options.

:D Bailey

I think your website is down again :( http://www.raremusicfinder.com

What i would do is find a host that is fast for your visitors. See you stats & find out where your visitors from. Few months back catalog.com have been having networks problem & i think it should be resolved now.

VenturesOnline, hosting4less seems to be fast host if you are based in USA.

aaron