I want to advocate for Rob's offer. We'd be getting a dedicated server all to ourselves that we could tweak to our heart's content for $129/month (or even $99/month if a slower processor isn't a big deal). We wouldn't need to worry about Kristen's other Fangeek customers. Although we haven't dealt with this provider, Rob has, and he seems to have a good relationship with the company similar to Kristen's with Steven. I don't think we'd be taking the same risk as we took with HR or would take with the place Astarte mentioned.

I'm with Jon on this.

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.

Absolutely. We got a service -- even if it's not a long-term solution for us, we absolutely should pay for it, and even if Kristen and Monique don't want to take our money, we should give it to them regardless.

One other thing -- With a dedicated server, where we have root access, there would be much less need for customer support. I'm not saying we don't want a provider who'll be quickly accessible and helpful, but It's less critical than it is now where we rely on the provider to change our MySQL/PHP settings.

t edit And another, "yea" on paying Fangeek for our usage until we leave!

Yeah, I'm not a Geeky here, but Rob's place's offer does sound pretty darn good.

I'd hate to see our demandingness (cause we SO are) cause Kristen to either get horribly bitter (well, more bitter!) or screwed over.

Several points.

1) IMO, being with Fangeek for the last six months has been a million times better than those HR bastards. Even these fatal errors we've gotten the last couple of weeks are pleasant compared to the sudden and capricious suspensions that shut down our board with HR. So I hope Kristen doesn't regret putting us on the FG path, because we certainly don't regret it.

2) I know Kristen has our best interests at heart. I assume Steve does too, although he's not "one of us". But I think the deadline is too close, and we should pass on the opportunity. I also think it may be in Kristen's best interests not to be the customer rep and complaint department, and just to be "one of us".

3) If Steve thought it was financially viable to purchase a server and charge us $200 a month with a one year committment, why can't we buy the server, sublease space to other Buffista webhosts to recoup some of the costs (just as in Kristen's offer) and have our own techistas run it? I'm asking the question out of complete ignorance of the work involved and with no way to contribute to the effort since I am lo-tech guy.

I agree that the dedicated server at Istrata really seems to be the best of both worlds (cost v. control).

Not only should we pay Fangeek for the services we've used, we should get Kristen and Monique a lifetime supply of chocolate, just because they're so wonderful to us.

we should get Kristen and Monique a lifetime supply of chocolate, just because they're so wonderful to us.

Seconded!

we should get Kristen and Monique a lifetime supply of chocolate, just because they're so wonderful to us.

Or possibly a lifetime supply of Photofinish!

We're ticking close to closing time, and no decision is clear.

I have to leave for lunch ten minutes ago.

I weigh Kristen and Monique, and I don't think it's worth the money to stay with Fangeek. There are too many unknowns. If we had a sweetly tuned board, I'd say, let's pursue that path. But I don't want us to be a millstone around their necks. It's stressful enough already -- I don't want it to get worse for them.

So, I vote Rob's suggestion. Let's make someone new miserable.