Windows or Linux Hosting

[atco]

Does it matter which system Actinic runs on?

[Chunkford]

Linux
It's cheaper and does what you need for Actinic.
The only time you really need Windows is when using .asp based pages

[atco]

Thanks a lot. Can you recommend a good hosting company for Linux - currently with Webfusion and sick to death of them. Lousy help and admin.

[Mark H]

Not only does it do what you need, but Linux has generally been regarded as better for Actinic.

[Mark H]

Webfusion's shared hosting does have the advantage that the servers are based in the UK, which is difficult to find with the larger (cheaper) providers. This can have SEO benefits, particularly if you are not using .co.uk.

PS plus you will find that most of this type of provider suffer by trying to save money on admin/supprt etc.

You will have to spend somewhat more to get really good service.

[Chunkford]

Personally i use vi.net and find absolutely nothing wrong with them. They even reversed a minor update to perl recently because it effected the cart process.
But they are expensive compared to others on the market (but then the extra goes on support when you need it)

[Goz]

There are a few of us on the board who do Actinic specific hosting including DarrenB, Pinbrook etc.

If you want to use a big player then you could try Heart Internet - I know it works with Actinic and has servers based in the UK.

[atco]

Thanks everyone - I'll look into them.

Heart Internet appear to have gone downhill somewhat -

http://www.webhostingstuff.com/revie...tInternet.html

[Goz]

mmmm... interesting.... it's certainly not my experience of Heart. I do find the support mechanism frustrating at times (i.e. it being form based) but their knowledge is usually good and so are response times. A few of their older servers are serving web pages up a bit slower than the new servers but not unacceptably IMO.

[atco]

Having looked at a few company reviews, most of them are complaints - nobody sems to post any good reviews so its not a fair representation of what they are really like. For every complaint you read there may be 10 happy customers.

[plantshop]

I've used WebFusion for many years and found thier technical support to be excellent.

[parklifeclothes]

I've used WebFusion for many years and found thier technical support to be excellent.

Same here. If you're using a co.uk domain you really should try and get a UK based server.

[carbontwelve]

Same here. If you're using a co.uk domain you really should try and get a UK based server.

Overall the hosting enviroment you use shouldn't really affect the quality of service you provide to your customer so long as your hosting provider is of sufficient quality. I have held a number of hosting accounts, however I also host my mission critical stuff at home ran off a buisness line, if anything goes wrong I am there to fix it in minutes and it gives me freedom to ensure the server is secure and runs all the services I require. While this is not the route to go for a number of people as it requires a professional level of technical knowledge it is one route, I would reccommend contacting the hosting service before you purchase a package as a personal email response will show its run by people who care about their customers and you can guage how good they will be at future support.

[carbontwelve]

Same here. If you're using a co.uk domain you really should try and get a UK based server.

Overall the hosting enviroment you use shouldn't really affect the quality of service you provide to your customer so long as your hosting provider is of sufficient quality. I have held a number of hosting accounts, however I also host my mission critical stuff at home ran off a buisness line, if anything goes wrong I am there to fix it in minutes and it gives me freedom to ensure the server is secure and runs all the services I require. While this is not the route to go for a number of people as it requires a professional level of technical knowledge it is one route, I would reccommend contacting the hosting service before you purchase a package as a personal email response will show its run by people who care about their customers and you can guage how good they will be at future support.