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Well.... looks like our host (Startlogic) has really put the screws on us.
We went to Startlogic because they advertised unlimited storage and unlimited bandwidth. When I looked further into it the main theme was unlimited everything means unlimited everything. This was also confirmed with a phone call placed to them. So we made the decision to go with them.
Now their story changes.....
According to Startlogic we have violated their Terms of Service (ToS).... which states in part that hosting of videos can exceed their hardware and bandwidth capabilities. So, to their new definition, we must be of "normal" usage... which means unlimited means with limits. Here is what their new description is....
"Normal usage means that you operate a personal or small/medium-business Web site that utilizes resources in a manner similar to most of our other customers. For example, the system requirements of large corporations are not equal to those of small businesses and their resource requirements would not be considered normal for our architecture. Another example would be the storage of large numbers of video or audio files that may be associated with a Web site, but require more resources to support than a normal personal or business Web site would."
We HARDLY classify as anything other than a small business (even thats a bit of a stretch). We had roughly 550,000 hits for the month of April (total stats are screwed up because their software has been glitched for over 2 months.... during this time we have been fighting with them over the lack of reporting they have been able to give). We had roughly 100GB of bandwidth. These are all ACCEPTABLE limits for 90% of all paid plans with other hosts. Yet according to Startlogic we are "shutting down their servers" with 50GB of video hosted there and that bandwidth. HUH? They change their ToS and now need to shut us down. WOW. Great business eh?
There are some of you going "Why do you get on here with this news. I don't care." You may not care about us or the website.... but I am on here telling this because if you start a website you might want to seriously consider if this is a company you wish to do business with. If you go beyond what THEY classify as "normal" usage you may well face the same thing. You are at their mercy with definitions of "normal".
I have had a few people from this board whom used to deal with Startlogic tell me stories with many similarities.
My intent is not to malign this company.... merely tell you what happened to us in an effort to make folks who may be looking for a host to seriously consider if they wish to go with the host we did.
I also ask this from folks out there....... can you give advice on hosts to go with?
Bill, you sent me a PM a while back giving me suggestions on hosts..... I have lost that PM. If you could oblige me again with a post here or a PM I would greatly appreciate it. I have 3 days to get the site backed up, new host in place and everything uploaded.
Any advice on hosts is greatly appreciated and I thank you ahead of time for your input.
If we experience site downtime during this stretch, you know why.
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