The things you get in to…

Ever feel like you know just enough about something to really screw it up?  Yeah, thats me with just about everything, but tonights episode involved this site.  To make a long story short, I basically set up the database wrong and for a short time thought I lost all of the data for both this site and for Nat’s blog.  It seemed like my database probably went up in smoke with a website I allowed to lapse and it appeared that all was lost and that we would both have to start anew.

I didn’t expect much, but I thought I might try the tech support for my webhost, dreamhost.  First off, the nice thing is that they allow you to not only explain the problem but also your level of expertise and comfort level.  This allowed the tech to cut through the basics and get right to the issue and to explain it in a way that didn’t waste his time or make me feel stupid.  The coolest part is that his first reply came in under 5 minutes.  They advertise 24 hours, but that has to be some sort of record.  I responded with another question and the same person replied again a few minutes later with clarification.  I got my sites back up and running and was able to do it without feeling (too) stupid or getting frustrated waiting for support to contact me back a few days later with some generic response.  The responses I received were fast, catered to my knowledge level, funny, and effective.

Who else does that?  At about $100 a year, dreamhost isn’t the cheapest host out there, but I’ve been with them long enough to have unlimited storage and bandwidth, as well as enjoying their owner’s funny and perpetually late monthly updates.  I’m hooked.  For as long as I need a webhost, they will be it.

If you are interested in a new webhost, check them out here and save $50 if you sign up for a year or more.  (disclaimer: I make money if you do)