A few pre-sale questions ...

[Alan]

Hi! I've been hunting through the forums and am seriously considering signing up for an account, as ever with these things i have a few questions...

1. What's going on with webmail? i've read the thread and it seems no official decision has been made? i'm not too fussed if i can set up my own script for it but it'd be nice to know your guys plans...

2. I'm looking to use ths account mostly for my own business site (www.leftlion.co.uk), along with some dev work for other clients. What appeals is this cross platform setup as i am currently running the site using coldfusion and the forum / shop and mailing list software on php. Will i be able to share a mysql database between two different accounts (cf and php), at the moment i have 4 or 5 members databases and this is no longer acceptable?

3. Has the anniversary offer ended? if it was still going i think i'd sign up right now!

4. Does moving hosts effect search engine results? i'm hoping results are ranked on domain name rather than IP address...

Thanks for any help, deciding on who to host with is a right nightmare, there are so many people to choose from, it's very important to me that i choose a reliable host that wil be around for some time to come. Our site is fairly busy so reliability is critical. Our current host is actually doing a great job, we've just out-grown them. I now need a way of plugging more sites/modules into ours and this looks like the ideal solution (until we can afford a dedicated server of our own!)

The last thing i want to do is move and regret it - meaning i have to go through the whole process of transferring data and dns entries once again.

If anyone from Matrix / Vortech wants to contact me use alan at leftlion dot co dot uk. or just reply here!

[Curt]

Hey there Alan...

1. There is another thread around somewhere (might be in the customers only section) where Brad (Vortech's owner, aka "Admin") mentioned that the plan is eventually to install a plug-in for H-Sphere that will allow people to select different webmail options themselves. My guess is that this means we resellers are on our own to decide which webmail system we want to use and install it under our own accounts.

2. Yep, you'll have no problems here. You should be able to spread out different domains and subdomains across the three types of servers (Windows, Unix and ColdFusion) without any trouble, and they'll all be able to share a database, or multiple, if you want. Also, for the same reason, it's really easy to expand as you need to.

3. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the sale is over.

4. Moving hosts shouldn't affect your search engine position.

By the way, if you're actually happy with your previous host, you are outstandingly lucky. Most of us have interesting stories of the last host we had before coming to Vortech. Keep in mind that this forum is one of the best selling points here too. There aren't many other hosts out there that not only run a forum, but whose owners are very active participants in it.

As for reliability, you'll have the occasional blip pretty much anywhere you go - it's the nature of the business - but these guys handle things really well. They have someone physically in the office even overnight, so if things go wrong, you don't have to wait for someone to be paged, wake up, get dressed, drive to the office, have a coffee to wake up, and then finally get working on the problem.

I don't think you'll be disappointed if you sign up with Vortech. Hopefully we'll continue to see you around the forums. Take care!

[Alan]

Hey Curt!

Cheers for the response, you certainly cleared up a few things for me (the main one being point 2). I have no complaints with my CF host, however i also have a reseller php account that i am far from happy with, (my subscription to this one is up this month), i saw vortech as an opportunity to get everything under one roof.

Thanks again, hopefully see you around here soon!
Alan

[devorem]

Just as another "testimonial", I've been through several hosting providers and have moved on for various shortcomings in their service each time. I arrived here just short of two months ago and have been migrating my customers during that time. Vortech is dramatically better than the other hosts I have been with and I finally cancelled my account with my last host last night. Switching to these guys will likely be a good thing for you.

We don't get paid to say this or anything.

[Curt]

... but we should.

Hey Brad, what's the word on giving unrequested recommendations?

[Curt]

Originally Posted by Alan

HCheers for the response, you certainly cleared up a few things for me (the main one being point 2). I have no complaints with my CF host, however i also have a reseller php account that i am far from happy with, (my subscription to this one is up this month), i saw vortech as an opportunity to get everything under one roof.

Glad to be of assistance. It sounds like Vortech will be a perfect fit for you.

By the way, good luck with the move. Remember - lift with your legs, not your back.

[Craig_Smith]

Hi Alan,

Sorry about the wait on this. We've all been tied up with some Cold Fusion stuff, but i'm answering your email now.

[nelsonke]

More reassurance. I have been here almost 2 years. I am a small fry, mostly hosting small business technology consluting clients. I am still treated with respect, and the service is very good. I have learned alot just reading the forum. From what I can tell, and have learned from others, matrix/vortech has a broad range of hosting services, very good customer service, and competitive prices. The owners also take their laptop on vacation! Best wishes on your move!

[Alan]

Well i have no doubts about the qaulity of the service and support, i've been reading through more of the forum and am more than impressed, thanks to all you guys for leaving your praise as well, it really makes the decision making a lot easier!

Coldfusion is (possibly unfortunately) vital to my business, i am aware of the problems with the cf server over the last few days and hope you guys have it up and running stabily now. I can afford to not move for a few weeks so plan on keeping a watch on the cf side of things here and making a decision after that.

I found a possible alternative through http://www.webhostingst.com/ (a new spin off from hivelocity.com i believe). anyone ahve any experiences with either of them? (i'm sure this really isn't the place to ask but hey, why not!)

i could also do with some more reassurance that i can share a mysql database over mutiple servers (php and cf specifically) as craig sent me an email that led me to believe that may not be the case (i think/hope you just misunderstood craig!).

Thanks everyone,
Alan

[Curt]

Originally Posted by Alan

I found a possible alternative through http://www.webhostingst.com/ (a new spin off from hivelocity.com i believe). anyone ahve any experiences with either of them? (i'm sure this really isn't the place to ask but hey, why not!)

Yeah, you're not a customer yet, what's the worst they can do? Sorry, no experience with them though. I can however give you some great advice about my previous host, AIT... Stay away!

Originally Posted by Alan

i could also do with some more reassurance that i can share a mysql database over mutiple servers (php and cf specifically) as craig sent me an email that led me to believe that may not be the case (i think/hope you just misunderstood craig!).

Yes, you should be able to use any MySQL, MS SQL or PostgreSQL database on multiple sites and servers without any trouble. The database servers don't have any relevant restrictions on them that I'm aware of, and each site never knows that another site is using the same database.

[Alan]

how's the coldfusion situation? i'm still looking for a host but i'm going to have to move quite soon.

[cambodia]

guess vortech provide coldfusion host too you might can seperate it from other

[Alan]

I'm probably a bit eager with this but any thoughts on offering mx7 hosting? i'd be very interested in getting my hands on this sms gateway...?

[Silverbug]

sms gateway? got a link?

[mresell]

I have to say that I have only had a handful of hosts over many yrs, but no BAD ones. Just different features. I probably take awhile to choose, but I choose wisely. Vortech has alot to offer. As to whether YOU will be happy, only time will tell, but you stand a good chance.