Windows Hosting Recommendations

Posted by Jerry Stuckle on April 23, 2006, 10:59 am

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Hi, all,

I just picked up a new customer, a US based non-profit. For several reasons I
need to move them from their current provider. Since I haven't done much with
Windows hosting (I'm a Linux guy!), I'm looking for recommendations.

System requirements are fairly minimal:

1GB hard disk
10GB transfer/mo.
Cron jobs (actually Windows equivalent)
MS Access
10 email accounts

Other non-negotiable requirements:
US based
24/7 tech support

Also preferred:
24/7 Phone support
SPAM filtering
200+ email aliases

They would prefer someone who owns their own data center due to previous
problems with support from resellers. Their current host is quite stable, but
expensive and does not support cron jobs (needed for the discussion forum which
allows email replies).

I've been looking at shared hosting - but I'm thinking a Windows VPS may be more
flexible. Any suggestions are welcome.

Tia.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================

Posted by William Tasso on April 23, 2006, 10:31 am

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Fleeing from the madness of the jungle
news:alt.www.webmaster
and said:

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go ask Allis

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tricky - owning/managing a datacentre doesn't sit comfortably with
managing the needs of shared hosting customers. There's a few notable
examples of spreading resources too thin over this side of the pond.
There's plenty mileage in sticking to the knitting.

show/hide quoted text

Ahh - yes. they typically don't have much control over and above panel
resources. I think you need someone with their own servers and related
infrastructure rather than a datacentre operator.

Have fun.

--
William Tasso

http://williamtasso.com/words/what-is-usenet.asp

Posted by Jerry Stuckle on April 23, 2006, 12:21 pm

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William Tasso wrote:
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Thanks, William,

Yes, I understand the problem with control. Their previous problem caused a
three day outage where they finally had to change to a new hosting company. The
reseller had started out good, with several employees. But within a few months
it went completely downhill - to the point they couldn't even get hold of anyone
for over 12 hours despite "24/7 support".

They're currently with Verio, and while the support is excellent, cron jobs are
not supported. Also, they were paying a lot for member email aliases (Verio
charges $1/ea. over a certain number).

So - service/support is the number one criteria. Cost is important (we're
trying to save money, after all). But what they're having to pay Verio for
hosting plus email would almost buy a dedicated server other places.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================

Posted by Martin Harran on April 23, 2006, 8:00 pm

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I've been happy with www.webstrikesolutions.com - they are an Australian
company but their servers are in USA if you could live with that.

Posted by Jerry Stuckle on April 23, 2006, 9:37 pm

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Martin Harran wrote:
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Thanks for the suggestion, Martin. Looking at their site, I see no information
about cron jobs (Scheduled Tasks in win-speak). This one is critical - it's the
main reason we are looking at other providers.

As for them being an Australian company. I can talk to them about it - but they
did specify US owned and operated.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================