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.
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.
Huh. Looks like dedicated servers are the new black. I just got an email from my current host (hostway.com) offering linux boxes for $95/month with no setup fee. They've been a good host for me but I wouldn't recommend them only because I've never had extensive dealings with Customer Support.
t edit
Thanks ita. Now go eat.
I've worked with hostway customer support, and they drove me nuts.
Can someone give me a link back to Rob's suggestion?
I appreciate the posts from you guys. Since we're half an hour away from decision time, I'm just going to say the following:
The concern for my well being is sweet. I actually think that, had you moved to a FG dedicated server, my stress level would've dropped drastically. One of the biggest frustrations in this scenario has been being the monkey in the middle. With the proposed plan, that wouldn't have been an issue.
Should you decide to go elsewhere, I would understand. However, I would urge you not to go with a virtual server. The concept makes me very uneasy and I don't think it will improve your current situation.
Also, the company that Rob is suggesting sounds great. It's clearly a very sweet deal and he has had good experiences with them in the past. But I would still recommend that you have some serious talks with them about limitations on the account and investigate them carefully. I think I'm just a naturally suspicious person because when I see someone offering something for half or one-third of what everyone else is charging? Warning bells go off.
So that's my two cents.
