Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Any hosts as competitive as Fuitadnet?

[krem]

The $10 package I have gets me 5gb space and 40gb of traffic a month. I barely reach 500mb, let alone 40gb.

In any case, I've read throught these forums and now have a better understanding of what has happened to Fnet: the owner is the problem. From what I read, Bit Stream or something was also average to good but has gone haywire since the new owner took over. Surprise then that the same as happened to Fnet. What once was great is now laughably inept.

BUt, one thing they do have going for them is the most competitive package I have seen from any host. It's jus ta shame that the service has gone to hell, and now I need to change hosts.

I've searched for several hours and read recommendations, but honestly, I can't seem to find anyone that can provide a similar or close to similar package for about the same price.

That's a lie, I found one, but it's just my luck that they don't serve international customers (Uk here). So, I'm in a bit of a quagmire on what to do. I need to get out, but I'm tight on cash, and now Fnet is not the place I want to be at, but who can provide a similar deal that also sells to international customers?

If you visit their site, you can see their packags are quite excellent in terms of features and on cost, but thanks to the new owners, it's almost worthless

[SASSINC]

Krem,

This is what happens to hosts that offer unrealistic plans. I mean, think about, what would happen if you actually did use up or close to those disk and bandwidth limits? Also, with those kinds of limits, how many customers do you think they can get on one server? Disks are only so large, and net pipes are only able to handle so much. Now at $10.00 per month - how would they make any money? It is impossible of course. Just add up the numbers.

What companies like these do, is offer you the world so you will beleive you are getting a great deal. They are counting on you not to use all that they offer - which by your own words, you are not. This way they can fill the server(s) with several hundred customers and still make money.

But of course, it is dishonest.

Anyway, there are many of us honest and reliable hosts out there today - that do accept international clients. Look for hosts that offer 'realistic' plans and excellent support. You will be much happier in the long run, and not going through this sort of rude awakening again in the future.

I wish you all the best in your search!

- Mike

[DDT]

What I don't understand is why you think that is a "deal" and are looking for something similar?
Why not look for a good, dependable, host who does not oversell like this and look for what you need?
You said you don't even use 500MB a month. Most hosts, like us, have more "base" plans with 2 GB to 5GB for less than you were paying. So why are you looking to "match" a 40 GB transfer for $9.95 when you never even use 1 GB?
I am not being critical of you in particular but this seems to be the "buying attitude" that gets so many people in trouble with undependable hosts. They see huge amounts of storage and/or transfer that are based on the common marketing tactic called overselling (or worse yet "unlimited) for an unrealistically low price and think it's a better deal somehow.
Wouldn't it be easier to find a high quality host you can count on and choose a plan that is closer to what YOU in particular really use?
Should you decide to stop by our site we have a page called "The Educated Hosting Consumer" that might better explain what I am talking about. Other companies offer services based on the same premises so I'm not pushing us in particular, just companies that do business in a more reasonable manner and serve you better in the process.

[krem]

I see what you guys are saying. But at the same time, I have an existing e107 site which takes up about 200mb of space on its own, plus I write reviews and take screens, and 30k screens soon adds up to several mbs.

I guess the reason I went with them was because it offered, or suggested that it offered, the flexibility that as my site gets bigger, I'll have enough space to stretch my legs in.

Now I haven't mentioned that these guys were my first hosts, I was young, alone and needed love. Ok, it was just my first host, and I picked it on a whim when I was just looking around. If yuo take away the space and bandwidth, they WERE a reallly good host. Now I;m not saying they were perhaps flexible with the truth, but the dung only hit the fan very recently when things swapped hands from previous owner to new owner.

I take your point that I should be looking at something more realistic to fit my needs. But then by that token I guess look at 2gb for $10 is also pretty unrealistic isn't it?

And you're right, big numbers do attract every joe nobody, including myself. At the same time, general prices seem so expensive, and when looking in the UK it's almost too expensive.

If i was being realistic, I guess I would be looking at say 2gb (I write a lot of reviews, take lots of pics, and also host a general gallery you know for friends and stuff and that takes up sapce as well).

Then again, that space is quite useful for hosting multiple sites. I just have to damn the owner for screwing everything up, and myself for getting stuck. Now I'm just completely confused, and not quite sure what would be a realistic and reasonable cost/service.

If you guys can give me some idea of what I should be looking at, in terms of my goal, it would be much appreciated.

[SASSINC]

DDT,

Here, here! Excellent way to put it! I could not agree with you more.

- Mike

[ldcdc]

For $10 I think you can easily get about 1GB of space and 10GB of bandwidth from a reputable host. There's absolutely no reason to price match if you only use 500mb of transfer. Do your research on this board and you'll find plenty of quality options. Be glad that your budget can get you a good host!

Good luck!

[SASSINC]

Krem,

Consider what you need and what is important to you. Be realistic. Make a list for yourself. Think about items like:

• How many domains do I want to host?
• How much total space do I currently use?
• How much total bandwidth do i currently use?
• Knowing the above, how much more will I realisticly need in the future?
• Do I need databases? If so, how many?
• Do I need sub-domains? If so, how many?
• How many mailboxes will I need?
• Do I want virus and spam protection?
• What else is important to me? PHP, CGI, SSI, SSL, and so on.
• What operating system am I comfortable with, if it matters?

You get my idea. once you have this figured out, you will have a blueprint to use when searching for a new host.

Hope this helps!

- Mike

[krem]

Yes, you guys are right. I'm just playing cry baby I guess now that the reality has hit me of what's realistic and what's not.

I guess half the annoyance I have is that I have to move everything from one host to another, which is in itself a pain and I hear that Fnet tend to stick their claws into your back, until you give in and say you won't leave.

Well, I've seen Hostgator.com and they seem a tad more realistic, and from what I've read here they're pretty good.

My other question would then be (now that you've set me on the straight and narrow) what should I be looking to do BEFORE I cancel my account with the existing host?

Should I sign up with the new host first, and then get them to transfer everything or should I cancel then upload all my content (when it comes to back up I'm paranoid so I always download my files). It's the database side that willl perhaps cause the biggest problems.

Do most hosting companies provide the transfer of domain and content as part of the service or is this usually left to the user?

Thanks again or clearning my head!

[SASSINC]

Krem,

• Find a new host first
• Get your new account setup
• Load your new account with your site(s)
• Make the necessary nameserver changes
• Wait for your new sites to resolve on the net - usually 24 - 72 hours, depending upon your registrar
• Once your new sites have resolved, go and cancel your account at the old host.

Most hosts will ask you to transfer your sites yourself; however, many will give you a hand at it.

- Mike

[krem]

thanks for the tips, will give it a shot. Though it'll be a couple of weeks before I cancel I have a tonne of other things to do, but I'll get it done.

I guess I should avoid everyone that offers unlimited anything. to answers your other qs:

* How many domains do I want to host?
Just the one, plus subdomains

* How much total space do I currently use?
About 450mb as I just checked, i expect this to grow, particular if I add another site

* How much total bandwidth do i currently use?
Not much, having just looked, about 320mb

* Knowing the above, how much more will I realisticly need in the future?

Bandwidth, probably not much, though I have "ideas". Space is more my concern, I could live with 10gb a month of traffic

* Do I need databases? If so, how many?
I liek to experi,ent and test different software out, currently I use 5 mysql dbs, though I may need more or less depending on circumstances

* Do I need sub-domains? If so, how many?
Yes. 5 at most I guess

* How many mailboxes will I need?
4 or 5

* Do I want virus and spam protection?
I don't get spam or viruses, on that front at least I'm rigid

* What else is important to me? PHP, CGI, SSI, SSL, and so on.
PHP support, mysql, shell access, SSI a couple of other things

* What operating system am I comfortable with, if it matters?
Windoze? Come on, I;m joe Nobody....

Cheers again to everyone who responded

[sharkman]

If you take a look at my posts I have always been honest on this message board and never denied when I was wrong or did a bad job. We had some tough times and we are finally getting through it by recruiting and training the right staff and implement proper procedures. Considering that, I honestly don't understand what led you to make such a statement. "Tend to stick they claw in your back." you can criticize us for providing unresponsive support but we never done anything viscous towards our client whether they stand or live. Actually more than often we admitted our mistake and assisted clients with their departure

Originally posted by krem

I hear that Fnet tend to stick their claws into your back, until you give in and say you won't leave.

On another note, where it comes to keep this great packages and great support it is very much possible and not so far out of reach. The only reason why we are not at top of our game is because we made some bad decisions which are being corrected. The performance of the previous CEO have shown that it's very much possible to run this company with good support and we are planning to do the same

[krem]

Originally posted by sharkman
If you take a look at my posts I have always been honest on this message board and never denied when I was wrong or did a bad job. We had some tough times and we are finally getting through it by recruiting and training the right staff and implement proper procedures. Considering that, I honestly don't understand what led you to make such a statement. "Tend to stick they claw in your back." you can criticize us for providing unresponsive support but we never done anything viscous towards our client whether they stand or live. Actually more than often we admitted our mistake and assisted clients with their departure






On another note, where it comes to keep this great packages and great support it is very much possible and not so far out of reach. The only reason why we are not at top of our game is because we made some bad decisions which are being corrected. The performance of the previous CEO have shown that it's very much possible to run this company with good support and we are planning to do the same

Sorry if you took offence at my comments, it was meant as sarcasm and should be taken as such. So sorry if it rattled your bones (just the way I talk, sorry again!).

Still, I sincerely hope you get things sorted as everyday I vist the forums and all I see is the complaints pile up.

[net-trend]

Originally posted by krem
* How much total space do I currently use?
About 450mb as I just checked, i expect this to grow, particular if I add another site

* How much total bandwidth do i currently use?
Not much, having just looked, about 320mb

* Knowing the above, how much more will I realisticly need in the future?

What you need *right now* is a plan with 1gb of disk space and 2gb of data transfer to be safe.

What you should look for in a host is one that can accomodate plan upgrades at anytime.

As you use your account and as your requirements grow, upgrade to a larger plan or what our clients usually do is, they just sign up for another plan, so as to not put all their eggs in one basket.

With a reseller plan, make sure you get one with unlimited features available. That way you won't have to bother with email,ftp or database numbers.

[krem]

thanks for the tips.

now i just had an email from fnet about my host domain i think. basically i pay $10 a year and it mpretty much works fine.

my question is, would it be sensible to move the domain as well, and if so who would you suggest and what are the realistic deals on this? Do domain hosts vary from one place to another? IS there anything in particular I ought to look for?

[2Grumpy]

Why buy 40 gigs of transfer if you need less than 1? Spend the same money, buy a plan that is "reasonable" and your money outlay is still around the same, but I suspect the service level you get is much better when your host isn't trying to sell things below cost (knowing most people are just like you and don't use a drop in the bucket of what they're sold).