Fasthosts! Need a new host and i need it now!!

[theeldergeek]

Stupidly, I took up an email hosting plan with Fasthosts (hereafter known as 'Farcehosts') and because of a mix up with the IPS tag, 17 of my domains are in limbo.

In a nutshell, I wanted to move away from 1&1, just for a change as much as anything as my account was due for renewal; I had no problem with them as hosts, so it is a move I now regret.

So, I elected for Fasthosts.

The domains were transferred in using the IPS tag that Farcehosts own downloadable support document gives, namely FASTHOSTS

To cut a long story short, that document is out of date, and the tag should have been LIVEDOMAINS!!

I had to contact Nominet to bulk transfer the domains from FASTHOSTS to LIVEDOMAINS as Farcehosts told me they couldn't (or wouldn't) do it. Nominet charged me £11.50 for the pleasure but told me that Farcehosts could have easily done it for free.

However, because of some technical issue with Farcehosts control panel, my .co.uk domains are still sitting as pending. They have been like that for almost a week!

OK, problems are problems, but Farcehosts are doing NOTHING, and my support tickets are going unanswered! The matter has supposedly been escalated, but that ticket has now sat there for 2 days.

I am unable to use email on any of my domains and will have lost a lot of enquiries for private work that I do.

To the point of my post then - I need some recommendations for a DECENT email hosting company that I can transfer my domains out to, who have a good list of features to boot.

I would transfer back to 1&1, but I am now reluctant to again use a big company due to the lack of support, and would prefer to use a more specialised and personal service, with an ounce of reliability thrown in! I also need free transfer in, as I have 18 domains to move over.

Also, if anybody knows someone within Farcehosts who can pull a few strings to get the technical support puppets to sort out my domains, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks folks.

DON'T USE FARCEHOSTS!

[EduTech]

How much hosting space do you need? is it just for 1 domain? or multiple

If it is just email you need why not use google apps as it is free...

[theeldergeek]

How much hosting space do you need? is it just for 1 domain? or multiple

If it is just email you need why not use google apps as it is free...

I need somewhere to put the domains, I don't need any hosting (such as a web site)
I want to be able to use my .co.uk domains for email, i.e. me@mydomain.co.uk as opposed to a free offering.

[EduTech]

Yes you can, and it is free.

Sign up for Google Apps

as well as you getting the email, you also get the other free options such as document storage, calendar etc

POP and IMAP is also supported.

James.

There is also the same options available for Windows Live Mail. https://domains.live.com/Signup/SignupDomain.aspx

[Batman]

My friend uses Gandi.net and seems pretty happy with them. They would do what you're after I think. I think his vps is hosted by them too, but I'm not sure. They're a bit vague about transfer prices.

I've been using Low Cost Names for about 6 years for my domains. Never had a problem, their transfers are free for .co.uk and a fiver for anything else by the looks of it.

[theeldergeek]

Yes you can, and it is free.

Sign up for Google Apps

as well as you getting the email, you also get the other free options such as document storage, calendar etc

POP and IMAP is also supported.

James.

OK, but the domains still need a 'host' registrar, and I don't want that to be Fasthosts.

I have to find a home for 18 domains, and as that is going to cost me anyway, I may as well find a provider who offers mail as part of that service, and will be efficient.

Google Apps is great, but it still involves altering DNS with the domain host, so doesn't solve my need to find a new hosting provider.

I also want to have my mail handled by a provider which is small, friendly and easily contactable.

[EduTech]

Oh yeah sorry brain is not with me at all today, i use 123-REG to manage my domains and i don't have any problems with them. i also have a few personal domains with Name.com - Domain Name Registration and again i have never had any problems.

And then i just use google as the email provider.

If you get the domains managed by a domain registrar, i can provide you with some mail storage for the domains at no cost if you need it.

James.

[theeldergeek]

Oh yeah sorry brain is not with me at all today, i use 123-REG to manage my domains and i don't have any problems with them. i also have a few personal domains with Name.com - Domain Name Registration and again i have never had any problems.

And then i just use google as the email provider.

If you get the domains managed by a domain registrar, i can provide you with some mail storage for the domains at no cost if you need it.

James.

Thanks for the offer, I'll see how it goes.

Does anyone know if there is a minimum transfer out period? The domains are all 'established', in that they are not new, just that Farcehosts haven't had them for more than a few days.

Can I initiate a transfer out from Farcehosts after such a short term or will I hit problems?

[EduTech]

i don't believe there is, but it is something you will probably have to check with them.

if you go to who.is what is saying with regards to name tag? find out who there managed by at the moment for definite and then change the ISP Tag to your new provider.

you shouldn't hit any problems.

James.

[rh91uk]

I know people who have used Hostway MS exchange services before .. from what I have heard they seem pretty reasonable

[CSNM-Carl]

Are you after any special requirements for email (push, syncing contacts etc?)

Most providers should allow you to transfer your .UK domains to them free of charge (make sure they are a Nominet member & TAG holder). For other TLD's .com etc they may be a small charge however you will find an extra year will be added on top of the domain.

[kmount]

I'd recommend CSNewMedia above if they meet your requirements. (Lots of happy people on here have dealt with Carl)

[GrumbleDook]

The other option I have done is transfered them to Network Solutions, use their DNS and then point at relevant hosts. I tend not to use the same company for hosting and DNS. It can add to the problems but also gives me the flexibility to move from a naff host.

[john]

Must agree with Kim, Im a CS New Media convert Talking of which, Carl I need to talk to you about a problem at work which you at CS may be able to help solve for me

[CSNM-Carl]

Must agree with Kim, Im a CS New Media convert Talking of which, Carl I need to talk to you about a problem at work which you at CS may be able to help solve for me

Thanks guys, feel free to drop me a PM/Email with your problem.