Hi,

We have been enduring certain problems with Digiweb since a long time (problems sending email, slow response time, poor customer service,...) and we have therefore decided to switch hosts. From a search we have made according to our criteria, it appeared ***** had a competitive offer and we subscribed for an e-commerce account.

However, as we started moving stuff there, we noticed their customer service is hopeless and their servers seems to be down very often. As we then searched the web, we found out that this host has had a terrible history, specially with Y2K, and is really blacklisted.

My question is now: Is ***** still bad? And if yes, which host would you recommend that gives unlimited transfer (we offer software to download).

Thanks for your feedback.

Mariano Etchepareborda
Swar Systems, Switzerland

Originally posted by swarsystems
My question is now: Is ***** still bad? And if yes, which host would you recommend that gives unlimited transfer (we offer software to download).

NO host offers unlimited transfer. Rather than go into details why and flare up another unlimited thread lets just say this. If you offer software downloads, you really need to bite the bullet like all the other software depot's out there and pay for what bandwidth you use. Place ad banners, or whatever to pay for it. But if you keep going from 'unlimited' host to another 'unlimited' host you will just be disconnected when they realize you are consuming so much bandwidth.

Regards,

Mike

P.S. Yes, seems ***** is still not working too well

Unlimited transfer is really something of a marketing trick. Bandwidth is an expensive commodity; it's simply impossible to give away unlimited amounts of it for free (or even not for free). If you read the Acceptible Use Policy of a host offering unlimited bandwidth, you'll find they most always have a clause that says something like, "Your account can be terminated for excessive resource usage." In other words, the transfer is unlimited as long as you don't use too much of it. In many people's minds this is deception, and it stands to reason that this tatic is a red flag for trouble.

Mariano, if you post an estimate of how much transfer you think you'll need in a month, it will be easier to recommend a reputable host.

Mariano, *****'s Terms and Conditions of Use page is at http://www.*****.com/index.php3?zone=support/terms. Among other exclusions, they state on that page that "unlimited traffic" does not apply to "Sites offering download files or archives. (This is any site where 50% or more of there monthly traffic is from file downloads)."

As is typical with "unlimited" hosts, they rule out in those Terms of Use any activity that actually may cause you to use a larger transfer amount than a host that places a limit would allow you anyway.

As for whether they "still suck," it seems like you've answered that yourself: we noticed their customer service is hopeless and their servers seems to be down very often.That meets my definition.

Dear Mike and Chris,

Thanks for your feedback and from removing my illusions about unlimited bandwidth;-)

Currently we require about 4 to 5 Gb a month, but as we will be releasing new software soon, I would not like to put the bar too low. 8 Gb, with a reasonable price for additional Gb would be great. Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

Mariano

Thanks as well, JayC. We never read those indîgest terms and conditions. Luckily we haven't made the change yet.

Mariano

You should be able to find a lot of good hosts searching around these forums. I'll name a few

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

Im likely missing a couple of the better ones but those three come to mind.

Regards,

Mike

> Does ***** Still Suck?
Answer: yes.

Recommend a Web Host>
8 gb isn't bad! :) I work with Ventures Online http://www.venturesonline.com and their top package offers 20 gb transfer. I am sure they'd be able to help you, and for a very reasonable price.

Service is great, the servers rock, the connection is undergoing a pile of improvements as we speak. The commitment to customers, from the company level (Ventures Online) to the NOC level (VDI) is very impressive.

I get 2000x the service from VO than I ever had from *****. :) Run, run quickly.

:D Bailey

Originally posted by swarsystems
Dear Mike and Chris,

Thanks for your feedback and from removing my illusions about unlimited bandwidth;-)

Currently we require about 4 to 5 Gb a month, but as we will be releasing new software soon, I would not like to put the bar too low. 8 Gb, with a reasonable price for additional Gb would be great. Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

Mariano
5-8 GB/month is very resonable, you should have no trouble finding a resonably-priced host with these kinds of traffic allowances. You may want to check out this thread: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=3053 , which will give you a plethora of choices. My advice is to look for the hosts that post regularly on this board, as most regular posters here have good reputations.

One more thing, if you're releasing a new product and you're expecting a temporary surge in traffic, you may want to let the company you're hosting with know this. Some will give you some leway, especially if it's only a temporary (1-2 month) situation.

Originally posted by swarsystems
We never read those indîgest terms and conditions.If you're going to be offering files for download, you certainly should. A lot of hosts do have similar exclusions.

For that matter, everybody should always read those things; it can prevent nasty surprises later!

Originally posted by JayC
Originally posted by swarsystems
We never read those indîgest terms and conditions.If you're going to be offering files for download, you certainly should. A lot of hosts do have similar exclusions.

For that matter, everybody should always read those things; it can prevent nasty surprises later!

Yup, read those terms!!! I can't even begin to imagine how many people's souls I have taken from people who don't read the terms :)

http://www.Tera-byte.com have quite generous bandwidth limits on their budget account $10 for 20GB per month from memory. However, you are hosted on a RAQ. I haven't used them or read their fine print.

Just check out these reviews:

http://corporations-nevada.com/hosting/*****.htm

http://www.webhosters.com/web_host_feedback/customer_reviews/index.html?option=Display+Reviews&comment_id=1209&company_id=3

***** is the worst host I have ever used. **DO NOT** use them. If you have already signed up, try to get your money back. We are stuck there for the next 10.5 months unless we can find a way out of the contract.

I wasted 4+ days trying to get these idiots to restore some files that I deleted. After 5 phone calls, 2 MonsterTickets(tm), 2 MonsterChat(tm) sessions and 4 e-mails to the MonsterSales(tm) Manager, I had to recreate the files because they could not figure out how to restore them. There are several tech support links that do not work on there site. The control panel is a joke. Their online hosting manual is incorrect. Just let me know if you need more proof.

Regards,
~Chas

I would like to thank all the participants in this thread for their kind and gracious help. I have never experienced such a helpful, reactive forum as this one.

I will be going for Wizards Online (unless anyone warns me agains them;-), as they answered my request very professionally and in a very short time. I also looked at their reviews and they seem to be very good. Ventures Online was also a candidate, but they are 9 hours away from Switzerland (West Coast), so I got their reply the next morning.

Thanks again for your help and keep going!

Mariano
Swar Systems, Switzerland

I meant of course Wizards Hosting!..

I believe you have made a very good choice. Carlos is very helpful and if you have any problems, he will help you out.

http://www.tera-byte.com i use them and i find them very helpfull e-mail resoponses within 8 hrs and very resonable pricing 20 gb for 10 $

Originally posted by Chas
I wasted 4+ days trying to get these idiots to restore some files that I deleted.

Hm... Does linux/unix has the ability to do so once the files are deleted? (note: of course, you can do so if you have backup, but otherwise?)

cheers,
:beer:

Originally posted by dektong

Hm... Does linux/unix has the ability to do so once the files are deleted? (note: of course, you can do so if you have backup, but otherwise?)

cheers,
:beer:

No. Once you delete it, you can say 'bye-bye' to it forever.... Unless you get the FBI to use their super-duper programs to recover it for you ;)

They say that they back up their systems every day. They have a form you can fill out to get your files restored but that is another one of the things that doesn't work on their site. They charge $50 if the files are less than 15 days old and $75 if they are over that. They will also burn a copy of your site onto a small fee. That was one of the reasons I chose CI. I learned my lesson. I did not do my homework.

Regards
~Chas

i went to ***** because i thought they're very cheap. i didn't have enough money so i took the dedicated server 0 ($99). this was 3 months ago.

ohhh, they still suck!!

i ordered ram 6 days ago, opended several trouble tickets, was several times in the 'monsterchat',...

they haven't installed the ram yet! my server would have now more swap as ram if there were no limitation.

i'm waiting now more than an hour to come in the chat...

really great support! yeah! i love them!

I have to say that it`s incredible that a mega company like that have`nt been sued "back to the stoneages" with all the unhappy customers and lousy services they provide.

I feel sorry for you guys, and thank heaven that they required me to send them a written confirmation back when I signed up with them. That was around newyears, a year or two ago, when they had their blackout. Needless to say, they never saw my signature.

Wazup

yes they still suck big. stay away from it like a disease. we just moved away one month ago.

yes! i'm too. went just to e.freeservers.