Seeking Hosting Recommendations

This site is currently hosted on my own server, running off my cable modem connection at home. I like the flexibility it gives me, but I’m beginning to see the bandwidth usage increase. I’m after recommendations for competant, flexible, well-priced hosting providers. Any tips?

This site is currently hosted on my own server, running off my cable modem connection at home. Running my own server is nice, I have full control over the databases, apache configuration, users, etc. However, this flexibility comes at a price. Being based in New Zealand means two things:

  1. That my server is slow & far away from the vast majority of readers
  2. That bandwidth costs me an arm and a leg.

My current usage is still below my monthly allocation, but usage is increasing and extra traffic is expensive.

Because of this, I’m in the market for a hosting provider for this site. Basically just enough to run my WordPress setup, provide file downloads and do the odd bit of coding. So, if you’re currently hosting your WordPress site somewhere, and you love the service. I want to know about it

I’ll also start doing some market research and as I talk with potential providers, I’ll update this entry to include their information. So, onto the features I need.

Requirements

  • Apache on Linux, the distribution doesn’t really matter, but fedora is a plus.
  • PHP
  • MySQL or PostgreSQL, the more databases the better.
  • SSH access, FTP isn’t enough, I like to query the DB directly.
  • mod_rewrite support, so I can have nice WordPress URLs & also handle my old URLs.
  • Access to raw access_logs, I load them into a database on my PC and do some simple ad-hoc queries.
  • Clued-in support staff.

Nice-to-haves

  • Subdomains & virtual hosts.
  • Multi-drop pop accounts for when my primary MX is off line
  • DNS management.
  • AWStats or similar.
  • Jsp/Servlet hosting.
  • Cheap
  • Lots of bandwidth / disk-space.

So, mention any good hosts in the comments and I’ll start hunting on my own. When I choose someone, I’ll be sure to let you all know

Update: I went with Textdrive the best place to host wordpress blogs

Posted on July 7th, 2004 | 1 comment | Commenting Closed
Jason

Jason July 7th, 2004 @ 10:08 AM

Even though I’m talking to you in IRC, I’ll post this as a reminder.

InsiderHosting.com has MySQL, PG, no SSH by default, if you give the support staff a good reason, they may grant you SSH access. WordPress is an auto-install script through the cPanel Control Panel, reasonable package sizes In My Opinion, EXCELLENT support, RH7.3 (this may have changed over time, I don’t know anymore), AWstats, Analog Stats, and one other I think, raw apache logs are downloadable at any time, mod_rewrite I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it is on. A nice host.

I’m quite sure though that you’ll be better off with DreamHost. They give you SSH, tons of DNS options/abilities, only MySQL :-\, and tons more. Check them out.

These two have high recommendations, compare, decide, have fun, hope for the best :).

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