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SolidWebHosting -- frustrated

 
Sheriff
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Android IntelliJ IDE Java
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So... I'm trying to find a new company to host a site I built for my dad's non-profit org.
I originally used IMHosted. My first 2 support calls were responded to ok, then when all my JSP's stopped working, and I opened a support call -- I was totally ignored. I cancelled the service later that week.
So now, I'm looking for a new host, but am being more careful before I sign up -- asking a bunch of questions -- about their app server, and about their service.
I found SolidWebHosting and they looked pretty good. The major thing I noticed was that they offered Live Chat support but it was "offline".
On Friday I submit a support call to ask some pre-sales questions. "When is your live chat support available?" "How many applications run in a shared JVM?" "What Servlet/JSP spec do you support?" stuff like that.
They promptly replied (within 30 min!!) that their live support is available 9-6 EST business days -- along with the answers to my other questions.
I was excited to get such a quick response, so I then created a 2nd case stating that I'd visited their site several times during those given hours and that the live support was offline each time, and when would the support be available? Today, when I checked the status of my new case, I found that it had been deleted
I gave it the benefit of the doubt... maybe it was an accident... maybe I was smoking crack and never really opened that other case....So I went to my original case, reopened it and added another note -- again asking when the chat support was available and asked a couple other questions. A few hours later -- that case was deleted too. ... Ya know... if you don't have the live support, just say so -- that's fine -- but don't just delete my questions. That's just rude.
Needless to say, I won't be opening an account with SolidWebHosting. I've found another hosting site that looks promising, but I fear stating their name 'cause I might jinx it. However -- if the service is good, you can guarantee I'll let EVERYONE know.
I'm getting quite frustrated though... is this the kind of treatment I should expect from hosting companies?
 
Sheriff
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I'm getting quite frustrated though... is this the kind of treatment I should expect from hosting companies?
I've tried several, and in my experience there are two sorts:
Type 1 (marketing-led), fantastic packages, glossy web sites, cool prices, answer basic sales calls in minutes. Crap technical support
Type 2 (geek-led), curious out-of-date web pages, no advertising, weird pricing structure. Little or no basic sales support, but if you can get them interested in some technical question you can have a whole conversation.
There is potentially a third type, the "corporate" type, but these are so expensive I've never had a chance to try them out. :roll:
I've never seen any activity from any of the sort of "live support (currently offline)" thing you are complaining about, although several hosting operations seem to offer it.
My suggestion is that you try your technical questions on some of the companies without flashy modern web pages. Send out a dozen or so emails with the same set of general questions and see what you get back.
 
Sheriff
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I've used CWI Hosting to some degree, and never seemed to have any problems. I should add two caveats: I was not the actual paying customer on either of the two accounts I had used with them, and I never had the opportunity to try deploying JSPs and servlets, although they do support them. But for what it's worth, my experience with them was pleasant.
 
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I posted a similar question in the JSP forum.
What advice can people giv me - for this issue =>
My worries about a web hosting provider for JSP/Servlets can be summed up as this one question ==>
How do I know where to put my stuff?
Background Story:
I know how to run JSP/Servlets on my own computer here at home. No problem. I have had my own domain for years (just using the basics HTML and CSS). No problem.
But with a new JSP web hosting service how do I know where to put things? I have looked at all the sites recently mentioned here, like:
www.mmaweb.com
www.myservlethosting.com
www.ejip.net
www.wantjava.com
but I don't see anything about instructions to install/deploy?
Where are instructions to get my own jsp/servelts running - WHEN USING A WEB HOSTING SERVICE?
Something like:
Step One: do this...
Step Two: do this...
Step Three: do this..
thanks!
Kevin
 
Jessica Sant
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Android IntelliJ IDE Java
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the problem I have is that most java hosts are still only supporting JSP 1.1 and Servlet 2.2....
I don't wanna have to rewrite my app to support an older spec. :roll:
 
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Jessica,
2 hosting companies that I use that support Java are ImagineIS
and KGB Internet and I have great service with both of them.
Just to let you know...I think they would fall in Frank's second category. I've used the first one the longest and they have that live support but sometimes aren't on. They do answer emails fast though. The second one I started using a few months back because a client was already hosted there...and they are really great at getting back to you quickly via email.
-Pat
 
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I've used CWI Hosting to some degree, and never seemed to have any problems. I should add two caveats


OH MY LORD NO!!!
I have had the misforutne of dealing with this so-called servlet enabled hosting comapny for over a year. My GOD RUN FOR THE HILLS!!
These people think Java is a hot cup of coffee. I have documented downtimes of up to....are you ready, 48 hours! Their "support" , he said laughingly, Will email you back 4-5 hours after reporting a down site & say "We can find nothing wrong with this site" Oh course not, that was 5 hours ago....then you go into the log files & see they re-booted the system.
With these people the developer is ALWAYS to blame. I webmaster 6 Servlet sites & have NEVER seen such lying by tech support in all my life...absolutely the worst I have ever witnessed. I even talked to caucho (CWI uses Resin) to let them know how bad these people are because they were recommending them. Go to servlets.com & look at the hosting ratings....you'll see what I mean.
On a brighter note I found this guy in Malaysia. www.uniqhost.com He uses tomcat but really takes care of his people & get this, How about $3.5 a month US! Yes you read that right three dollars & fifty cents a month. Look at what they offer...you will absolutely freak. I have 4 sites with him right now & can happily report a total of 1 hours down time on all sites COMBINED in the last year.
 
Pat Wallwork
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DC,
I thought I'd check that site you suggested but either the link is wrong or the site is down.
If the link is right that cannot be a good sign! :roll:
-Pat
 
Jessica Sant
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http://www.uniqhost.com/ worked fine for me!
So it turns out I've gone with www.cqhost.com -- I'm trying to get my domain transferred over... hoepfully I won't have to do it again anytime soon.
 
DC Dalton
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Yes the link works fine for me too. I forgot about CQHost Ive heard mostly good things about them & they are using Resin (my personal fav) Only thing Ive ever heard bad about about them was slow response to tech support questions but that was over a year ago, besides that Ive heard nothing but good! Good luck with the move, they are almost as bad as having to move (as in your home that is)
 
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