If I had to guess, I'd say "american boy" worked for Mybizhosting.com. But despite this, I did some research, and found no negative feedback (deja.com). Probably because they are so new. I am a web designer, and have gone with such hosts as TriStar Web and ***** for either myself or my clients. That was before I thought enough to research on the forums. I'm still with them, but wouldn't recommend either (TriStar was bought out anyway). Thought I'd risk it and sign up for today for a basic account at Mybizhosting.com.

I was a bit nervous at first - I'd put in my client's yet-to-be configured email address by mistake, which meant that my account info wasn't going to get to him or me. I tried calling, and they apparently don't man the phones off-hours, another red flag. I also tried their "live chat", and it reported "no operators available at this time, try later", I later learned that this is only on-hours only.

But I was able to submit a message, and leave my phone number. I was pleasantly surprised to get a call back within 30 minutes, and he gave me all the info I needed to get the account set up. I was impressed by this. However, when I asked who I was speaking to, he said "Adam", which from previous posts I gather is the "CEO" himself. So, I don't know whether that's good or bad (could mean no support staff, he's doing all the support himself).

But from my experience so far, I do have a good feeling about it, I'm only paying monthly, so I can move if things get bad - the features do seem very good for the discounted price. Thought I'd let you know what I found. I spent quite a bit of time this time around researching a "good" discount host with good features and upgradability (looking at under $15/month, with 50 Megs, at least 3 POP boxes, unlimited forwarding/aliases, etc).

(I haven't built my client's site yet, but it will be at RogueDesignStudio.com if you want to check back to test how fast it loads, etc - it will be a fairly simple portfolio site, the client designs toys for big companies, and paints romance novel covers).

If anyone else has had good luck with this or other discount hosts, let me know. Until I find one that pans out long term, I'm always evaluating new hosts. (So far, I haven't found one I would want to become a reseller for)...

Carl

I took a look at their demo control panel. It appears to be the same as one I use elsewhere and like. I would like to know the name of the software if anyone recognizes it.

I hate to bother customer support with such a question but people on this forum seem to like talking about such things.

Gary

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest values of the WHT board is the ability to research the hosts -- via that Search thingy up at the top.

This is especially so for those relatively newer to this end of the industry, who haven't yet caught up on who the rogues and angels are.

Even for those of us who've been at it for a while, this is getting to be a first stop before trying out a new host. In several cases, a search here has guided me away from hosts that I would not have otherwise known were seriously problemaneous.

That control panel is from Alabanza, you can find more information at alabanza.com but I do not beleive you can buy the software.

nope, you most defenatly cannot buy the software from Alabanza ..

nope, you most defenatly cannot buy the software from Alabanza ..
That day will soon be upon us if the rumors are true.

Personally I think it would be agood thing for the industry to separate the CPs and server management software from the Dedicated Servers - giving the small-to-medium sized hosts full reign to shop around for the best of each (or the most affordable). Like what appears to be happening over at VDI. Just my $0.02.

I think seperating the two would be silli. Because, ultimately its the user interface that decides who the customer goes with. Its like the BIG bait. I think more then 75% of Alabanzas customers are with them, because of the control panel and nothing else. If they start licensing it out, it would be a silli move.

I think seperating the two would be silli. Because, ultimately its the user interface that decides who the customer goes with. Its like the BIG bait. I think more then 75% of Alabanzas customers are with them, because of the control panel and nothing else. If they start licensing it out, it would be a silli move.

Why is it so silly? There's a lot of $$ to be made licensing that suite of programs. It has been consitently rated high for both backside administration (in fact nothing currently comes close) and the user control panels. And you have to believe that the programming is the more profitable arm of the business if they license the DSM out. I wouldn't even be completely shocked if they gave up dedicated hosting completely in the future and focused on the software which really doesn't have a rival.

Also, for all Alabanza touts their great OnNet connections, we still experience downtime - just this past week a router died for about an hour knocking out sites on a particular IP block. And it wasn't the first time, and won't be the last. They're not perfect. But, there are plenty of dedicated servers available in quality NOCs that cost a *lot* less.

So why pay the exorbitant server prices that Alabanza charges if I can get the DSM and CP using another high-end server provider who charges less? Alabanza still makes $$ on licensing the premier software suite. Only now they have an audience not limited to their own dedicated server clients. So they make more license sales. And the customer can pick and choose the NOC they use. Imagine VDI's server prices with the DSM installed. Even if it cost more for the software than CPanel, it would still come out way cheaper given Alabanza's recent huge price increases - a server that was $1300 a month now costs $2265 if used to its reasonable capacity (1000 domains). Hell, even if they charged $500 a month for the software I still could get one heck of a rockin server with the money left over...

Or, (what I'm hoping for...)
They release the DSM and therefore have to reduce their own dedicated server prices to remain competitive with the other firms now offering essentially the same product. Either way, we (the customers) win.

We shall see...

Originally posted by shpilkus
[Quote]Either way, we (the customers) win.


Thats my whole point, the customers win and not them. I think they are making a lot more, and will continue to make more by providing servers rather then control panels. If they do eventually decide to start selling the control panels, they loose the monopoly on the dedicated server market.

Maybe in the near future, when a lot more cp's come up, they might start selling it. But right now, I dun think it makes sense to do so.

Hypothetically speaking, not saying this is what would happen, but...

What if...

Alabanza begins licensing the software, and sells off their NOC entirely to a 3rd party? It's not that far-fetched. They would still have a monopoly on dedicated server control software, they just wouldn't have to worry about running a NOC anymore which is costly and a pain in the a$$. There are big $$ to be made from licensing their software - it has become the de facto standard that all others (including CPanel) get compared to, and they already have name recognition and proven customer enthusiasm.

If they stay in the dedicated server business but lower prices, they are still making a profit on the servers they lease, plus they'll get their licensing fee. The difference here is instead of only reaching into the pockets of the companies that have their servers located in their NOC, they can get license fees from anyone who wants it. And people will want it.

I think this is the direction we're going to see in the coming months/years. Like I said, there are rumors that bear this out... like Alabanza hiring a bunch of new programmers and letting go sales staff for the dedicated servers. It makes sense when you add it all up.

But that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.... ;)

As far as hosting clients themselves, what is the great attraction with the control panels?

I have a few sites on Alabanza hosts, and frankly, the control panels suck.

If those were a product of mine, I'd hide my head in shame.

The main advantage of the Alabanza Panels, are for the host itself. It has inbuilt billing, and makes managing the server really easy. Thats what I have heard, never run my own server.

As for the cleints, I dun see the difference between the Ala Panel and Cpanel.

I hyave to agree with Shpilkus on this one. What he's talking about is volume, volume, volume! It is the software that attracts hosts, not the servers (which would be far overpriced otherwise).

They are in a terrific postition to market the software. They've got a solid test bed of users (guinea pigs, :)), and if they offered it, people would buy/lease it.

Like Shpilkus said, the biggest pain is running the NOC.

well, this is only true, if they dun wanna remain in the d-server business. If they do, it doesnt make sense to sell the cp. Else it does offcourse.

Carl,

We just recently switched to LiveHelper and have been having problems with their network. We get disconnected allot and it still shows us online. That is probably why you couldn't live chat with us.

Also, the 800 number you called is a call back number only. Basically voice mail.

We try to do everything electronically to keep costs down.

I hope this explains why you got those things, and I am certain that I will do my best to help you in any way.

Thanks :-)