you've gone way above and beyond, and done so with a kind of grace you don't generally see in the hosting biz.

Yes, this.

that whole no opinion thing? I take it back. I have an opinion.

Since the people who keep the accounts and asked for funds last time think that we can raise the money needed for a year with little problem, I'm not worried about money.

Also, as a shopper, I tend to know exactly what I want and I have no issue going in and buying it without shopping around. In this conversation, I sense we are more concerned wtih paying more for some stuff (like storage and bandwidth) we don't need to get the mysql connections and control of the server we need. I think that I'm okay with having more than what we need to get what we do need.

I'm also a firm believer in repeat business, or going with the merchant we do know over the one we don't. While the $200 month buys us a lot of space, it also ensures that we stick with a provider who has demonstrated a willingness to work with us as opposed to pulling the plug. To me, that is worth a lot.

So, I'm advocating that if Kristen hasn't taken the offer off the table that we go with it.

I agree with Kat -- we *know* that Kristen/FanGeek is willing to work with us, rather than pull a HostageRocket. And that is significant to me. We really don't know how other providers would deal with us, *despite* what their service plans say. Because HostageRocket sounded good before we went there, IIRC.

However, I'm still willing to leave the evaluation of needs/demands and the subsequent decision up to the Geekies.

I'd like to ditto what Cindy said here: Cindy "Buffistas Building a Better Board" Oct 24, 2003 4:38:49 am PDT.

And also say that I can see it being worthwhile for us to stay with FG for this next year, and in the meantime continue to do research on what we really need, and where we can best get it from. I can't imagine a better working relationship than the one we currently have, so I can see it making sense to continue it, even at a financial premium. Because I DEFINITELY see that what we need is worth more than $20/month. I mean, that just seems ridiculously cheap for the resources we use.

(Note that my awkward phrasing is meant to represent the fact that I'm not actually trying to pitch one side or the other, just that it seems to make sense.)

So, I'm advocating that if Kristen hasn't taken the offer off the table that we go with it.

In my total-ungeekiness, I'm feeling this way, too, for reasons stated by Kat and Steph.

Although I'll still stand by whatever the final decision ends up being.

I can't imagine a better working relationship than the one we currently have, so I can see it making sense to continue it, even at a financial premium. Because I DEFINITELY see that what we need is worth more than $20/month.

I completely agree.

I'm with Kat, et al. The FG solution still sounds ok to me.

On one of the other candidates:

The guy confirmed that there is no pre-set limit on the simultaneous MySQL database transactions/connections

Can someone clarify for me that this is not the same thing basically as HR had? No pre-set limit sounds good, but when we come in and start throwing connections all around, what are the chances we hit a wall?

I'm not saying that anyone is intentionally beating me up or even unintentionally beating me up. What I'm saying is that some of the posts I've read here - and to be fair not most, not even specifically yours and not just tonight - make me feel that way. I'm not saying it's anyone's intent but, as the sole spokeperson for FG here and a member of this community, it's been very hard not to take certain comments a little personally.

I'm so sorry to hear this, but not at all surprised. It's hard to hear this kind of discussion and NOT take it personally for anyone-no matter how hard we try.

That actually, I think is an argument for moving the hosting. Going to a VPS or dedicated server should give us the kind of clout to get decent response. HostageRocket was also a shared server, right? So we're talking apples/oranges as far as that's concerned. The hurdle is accepting that we need more than the level of hosting we've been getting by with. That need's firmly established in my mind, certainly.

I'd much rather have Kristen here as a co-member, giving out beauty secrets and snark than to jump into a situation that already carries some strong emotional baggage and get the foaminess that is Kristen (and Monique, for that matter) in a mostly official capacity because all the glitter's gone out of it for them.

Also, I agree that we should pay for the months we have been with Fangeek. There's absolutely no reason Kristen and Monique should be out the money that's been spent on our behalf. We've gotten a lot of benefit from this hosting situation. Kudos and thanks to everyone who helped to get us this far. It's never easy.

No pre-set limit sounds good, but when we come in and start throwing connections all around, what are the chances we hit a wall?

Okay, if that is the same thing HR said, then I'd be interested to hear what the problem was from their POV. My impression was that there WAS a limit, which we regularly exceeded.

My impression was that there WAS a limit, which we regularly exceeded.

Nope. The terms of our account were "unlimited" MySQL usage. When we used "too much," they kicked us off.