Sandbox

Hi to all,

It is my belief that a very large percentage of hosting providers are providing very poor levels of service to users and have
not configured their servers correctly. This has been seen in a number of posts at Joomla.org. many of the problems
which have occurred during the installation process bear this out. I am wondering if it is possible to create a hosting
provider list which details those providers who provide poor levels of service to users.

Also, I note there is no international listing for Australia for Australian Joomla users. I am willing to moderate for an Australian listing.



Please advise.



regards


Redx

While this is a good idea, in theory, it really isn't possible. Having this type of list goes against the "wall-of-shame" rule. Not to mention the fact that any hosting provider that got listed as "bad" would strictly be that posters opinion.

Just because community members have issues installing or running Joomla! does not mean that a hosting providers servers are mis-configured. That hosting provider could have their servers configured a particular way so that they can run their own proprietary software or any number of other reasons.

What if a particular poster was offering their own hosting services and used this list as a way to make their competition look bad?

What if a user had an axe to grind against a particular hosting provider, just because they refused to give a refund. Who's to say which party is correct?

There are many resources available on the net already to assist a user with their decision if a particular hosting provider is for them.

http://whreviews.com/
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/

Hi thanks for reply,

I understand your point you are making but I think some positive action must be taken. Some of the examples you have cited
seem fine on the surface but lack an understanding of the hosting market place. I don't believe that having an axe to grind because of
no refund is what I am saying. I am talking about poor service levels to users and in particular Joomla users who can't get a fair go from a hosting provider.

In any case I think this matter requires further discussion and debate going forward. It would be good to hear from Joomla users of their
experiences.



regards

Redx

And who would regulate and investigate these "reports" of poor service levels? Because if you asked the hosting provider their take would probably be that they went above and beyond to make their customer happy.

Who determines what is a "fair go"? What one person considers fair can be totally different from what another person considers is fair. What one person considers poor service can be totally different than what you or I think of as bad service.

There are 2 sides to every story.

What member or members of the community would step up and take on the role of Jurist / Jury - listening to every side of the story, sorting through facts and then making the determination of who is correct - the customer or hosting provider - and then adding that hosting provider to this "bad hosting" list.

And once a determination is made then what? Would this "jury group" contact the hosting providers and try and make them aware of the needs of the Joomla! community? Would they try and make them change they way they do or run their business, or how their servers are configured and set-up? Would this list stop at just hosting providers? Why not include 3PD's or the third party service providers that are listed in the Joomla! Professional Services forums.

There is just no way, IMHO, to have this type of listing on the Joomla! forums. There just aren't enough hours in the day now to take care of everything Joomla! related.

MOD NOTE: Members are free to discuss their experiences, but please keep in mind that the forums are not to be used as a 'wall of shame'. Any posts deemed to be of this nature will be removed from this discussion.

Hi,

Good reply. I am not interested in a wall of shame. I believe a good or bad experience is based on how the individual  is treated.

I live in Australia which is founded on a fair go for all. Perhaps a code of conduct may be in order for hosting providers.



regards

Redx

Making hosting providers adhere to a code of conduct falls outside of Joomla!'s perview. 

If we could make people think a certain way, then I'm sure it would be that OpenSource (and Joomla!) is better than gold. 

Hi,

Some times the current way people think needs to be challenged to bring out the best for all parties concerned.

At one time the earth was flat until some one proved this thinking was incorrect.



regards

Redx

Hi

As far as I am aware Micro$oft do not have a department that deals with issues concerning hosting providers that give the users of their software a raw deal, so if a multi-billion resourced company does not do it how can Joomla! - a voluntary, unfunded, project be expected to?

Yes it would be nice to think this possible but so would many other things in life...

The nearest Joomla! is able to achieve is to listthose hosters who are themselves Joomla! users but even this is not done on the basis of having passed any quality testing, but there are a set of minimum requirements before they will be considered being added to the listing.

As with anything involving money it remains a case of buyer beware and doing the research before committing to a contract.

Andy

Hi,

Thanks for your post.

I guess maybe a suggested minimum standard check list which Joomla users can use to help them make
an informed decision before signing with a particular hosting provider.

As the saying goes there are many ways to skin a cat.



regards



Redx

Are these not minimum requirements?

http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,6856.0.html
http://help.joomla.org/content/view/34/279/
http://help.joomla.org/content/view/1935/300/