Web providers people like (that don't spam)

[Beware of Doug]

Every so often I notice that email to my redirect address (ie: [/i]beware@dougsdomain.com[/i], actual domain withheld to safeguard my identity) doesn't make it through. A couple years ago I had a near-total email outage and found my web (and redirect) provider was on a lot of spammer lists and thus a lot of ISPs wouldn't talk to it.

Anyway, my contract's about up with said provider, and I thought I'd solicit Doper recommendations of web hosting outfits that offer good value and don't depend on spam for so much of their revenue. TIA.

[Rico]

How much space and bandwidth do you need? And how many POP3 addresses would you like?

[Beware of Doug]

Well, my site's small currently, but I want to make it a lot bigger, with downloads and such available. So maybe 500MB? How about five addresses?

[Rico]

OK, here's 400MB of space, 20GB bandwidth, 10 POP3 mailboxes, and a lot more, for under $10 per month. And if you happen to go over, they will simply charge you slightly more each month. Full details on the site.

Linkety-Link (http://www.tigertech.net/cgi-bin/referhosting.cgi?aa-hbelks.com)

It's the service I've been using for years. Highly recommended. No spam and very easy to work with. The monthly fee includes your domain name registration, as well!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I would ask that if you sign up, you use that link. They offer referral credits, and I've given you a link that refers to a non-profit organization site I manage. If you sign up on that link, the organization will receive $10 credit toward webhosting. (Mods, I hope this is ok - if not, here (http://www.tigertech.net) is the main site link. I personally will make or save no money if the first link is used.)

[Absolute]

I recommend DreamHost. The cheapest plan is listed below:


$7.95/month
1 FREE domain registration
www.yourname.com
3 full domains, 15 subdomains
2400 MB Disk, 120 GB Transfer
600 Mailboxes, 75 Shell/FTP Users


I've been using them for years, and their service is great.

As with Rico, if you do register with them, please use this url (http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?avalys).

[MsWhatsit]

I second the recommendation for Dreamhost. I've been using them for over a year, with absolutely zero difficulty whatsoever. I really like their service.

[ZipperJJ]

You can also research the IP addresses associated with any hosts you consider by using some of these anti-spam resources:

http://www.ordb.org
http://www.spam-blockers.com/SPAM-blacklists.htm
http://www.dnsstuff.com/ (use the SPAM database lookup)

I use these pretty regularly to check my own hosting company's (the one I own) IP addresses.

[Beware of Doug]

Thanks all - I'll look into them and see what's what.

My current outfit offers yearly rates rather than monthly; I'm spending about half what I would be with the monthly basic plans linked above. Is this pretty much a you-get-what-you-pay-for kind of thing, ie: if you want better service, plunk down for a monthly plan?

[Rico]

Not at all, Doug. It just sounds like you've got a crappy host.

The outfit I linked to offers yearly rates, but you're not locked into them at all. If you wish to quit at any time they will refigure what you've used on a monthly basis, then refund the difference. No contracts, no "locked in," you don't like them, you're not stuck.

And like I said, the service is top rate no matter what plan you're on.