Deth

Over the years I’ve used quite a few different hosts but this domain has been up for over twenty years. I’ve never had any bad experiences with hosts but I’ve come close. I’ve left a couple right before they were sold and some took a shit afterwards. I like to try out different hosts sometimes if for no other reason other than I can. It’s fun to me.

I went from a single domain to cpanel when I needed multiple ones to webmin when I first switched over to FreeBSD. Now I just use the ssh. It’s been fun to learn this stuff over the years. I used Linux for quite a while then eventually went strictly to FreeBSD when I got tired of the inconsistency of where stuff might be installed and stuff. I like FreeBSD because you know what will be where because it’s all. It’s almost a bit crazy to think how I used to pay nearly the same amount for so much less.

If the host is still in business, I included an actual link. If not the name is there but no link just for the completeness of this list.

I’ve also written a brief description of what is what like when I used it. In most of the cases, it’s been a long time since I’ve used it, so I’m sure many things could have changed with the service and such.

Web

• Interland - I’m pretty sure that’s what it was called. That was a long time ago. Who knows if they’re still in business. I think there was a setup fee for that and I remember getting a printed manual in snail mail from that. I wish I still had that manual because it would sure be interesting to look at it.
• httpme - When I originally did my brother’s business website I had to be able to host multiple domains and this was what I’d discovered and it was managed and I was not in a place to manage things myself then.
• Known Host - - httpme was sold and that usually gives me a bad feeling so I switched to known host. That was managed again and to this day they seem to be highly rated. I’d recommend them if you wanted managed.
• powervps - I moved on to them next. I dodged a bullet as they were sold I think shortly after I left them.
• MakoSolutions - This was my first time using a full dedicated server. It was managed since that was a new thing for me to use. It ran Centos and I didn’t like that OS. Too many breaking changes if I remember correctly. It was also in BurstNET whicfh was iffy at times.
• razorservers - I went with them next because they were in Philly. I like to support Philly companies if it fits what I want to do. Left them just before they were sold and things took a shit.
• ARP Networks - I went here when I had read about them supporting FreeBSD. By this time I was more or less managing things myself and got sick of dealing with Linux’s inconsistencies. The only reason I left them is because they’re on the west coast and I wanted something on the east coast for no other reason than I could.
• rootbsd - I switched to them next because they were on the east coast and supported FreeBSD. I was with them for a few months then jumped to a really good deal.
• Database By Design, LLC - This is where I went next when I saw a really good deal on a VPS that supported FreeBSD. I used them for quite a while until an update didn’t boot the VPS up. They didn’t have a way to access it like you do nowadays and support wasn’t home. It was my fault and with the deal I got I didn’t expect support. It worked great when it worked. I’d recommend them if won’t need support. They’ve gone out of business now.
• Ramnode - I used them for a while with no issues at all. The only reason I’d left is to go to a dedicated server.
• Reliable Servers - I wanted to try out a dedicated server and saw one here for a decent price. They had FreeBSD as an option for the OS so I went with them. Used it for a while then wanted a cheaper VPS. Great network when I was there and never had a problem with the server itself either.
• Vultr - Vultr is great. You have your choice of plans for cloud and they’re instant. I have used it for my hosting at times and more than once as a temporary host when I needed one. I always keep a few bucks in my account in case I need to start up a server to test something or if I break something on my main one. Highly recommended.
• LaunchVPS - I originally switched to them to give them a try since they’re in Philly. It worked great and was cheap for the couple of years I used it. I don’t remember any down time other than when I couldn’t connect due to Level 3’s Marge outage. To be fair with that outage I couldn’t connect to a majority of the sites out there so it’s not a knock on LaunchVPS in anyway. Highly recommended. I only left to go to a dedicated server for bigger toys to play with.
• ReliableSite - Great hardware and network. Good prices and support was fast the one time I needed it. I used Them in the past and went back to a VPS. Now I am back to using them.
• Hop One Networks - They seemed to be decent in the time I used them. I had something going on where my network speed wasn’t what it was supposed to. With some back and fourth. They also had a fairly long outage for power issues. After that it was fine. I’ll keep an eye on them if I want to switch back. They’re in Philly and their prices are too good to be true. They didn’t offer FreeBSD so I had to do it myself. That was a fun experience. It’s cheap enough I may use it for backups.
• SmartHost - I switched over to SmartHost late last year. I’ve had no downtime at all with them and haven’t needed to contact them for anything. It just works. Just had the first outage that I’m aware of from them and it was about a day long. For the price I’m paying though, shit happens. I’d still recommend them.

Email

After a while I got sick of managing email servers. I decided to let someone else deal with the hassles.

• Runbox - I used Runbox for quite a while and it worked well enough for my needs. I liked the privacy aspect of it just for the point of it. The only problem is they charge by account and it did add up a bit. I would definitely recommend them.
• Mxroute - I saved a good bit of money picking up a Black Friday deal for Mxroute. It’s worked great for my needs ever since then.