I thought that BlueHost webhosting got it. Disk space is cheap. Let the developers develop.
I thought that Unlimited meant just what it said. I could finally have a platform to create my own projects...whatever I could think up, without limits. I wouldn't have to spend time removing older projects to make room for new ones. I wouldn't have to worry about creating the web hosting logistics of a future "web empire" that I could create. BlueHost was my vehicle for that. I thought I had finally found it. The people I would be with for the rest of my life.
Then, the warnings and fine print started coming.
I moved all 90 or so of my websites to BlueHost.. All of them. And why not? There was nothing to worry about. I had found my web host for life and I could essentially put all my eggs in one basket with BlueHost. I even looked at some kind of Business Upgrade since I was so dependent.
Then, the warnings and fine print started coming.
So, I moved all of my clients to BlueHost, too, under my account. Everything, and every part of my life is tied to this BlueHost account.
Then, the warnings and fine print started coming. Then I saw bluehostsucks.com and their nightmare tales and I almost wept. Had I been duped? This can't be true. So, I wrote to this Abuse department hoping, praying, that I had somehow been a target of some 'automated' message that was just a precaution.
Nope. Everything I have and everything I have invested in my life is tied to a company that has targeted me for termination on 5/26/2009 if I don't somehow prune my life's work into some arbitrary file storage number. This includes MY CLIENTS emails folders and now I am expected to contact each and every one of these clients and make them prune their mail folder in time for this deadline. The penalty. I love everything. Everything.
So, this really hit home just now. I was getting ready, excited, to work on another cool project and went to launch my FTP when a wave of warm-blood rushed all over my body: "You can't use this account for that anymore."
That's why I'm sad. It's not that I will now work feverishly (with a family camping trip planned tomorrow through the weekend) I thought to start moving sites. Since I will not be able to force a client to prune their mailbox. I just have to start moving everything. You guys have thousands of customers so it's not like I'm sitting here telling you 'I'm so upset, I'm going to leave." It's the fact that I thought that BlueHost got it BlueHost's stance was (finally) 'Let them have their webservers, disk space, and bandwidth. Let them create without limits."
Apparently, that's not the case. So, yet again, I will start packing up my BlueHost campsite and find another place to create and that's not the end of the world, but it just makes me sad that another company just doesn't get it.
Let them create.
I am now moving stuff, whole sites and databases, and it really sucks. SSL certs on 1 site, so much to now worry about now that Unlimited Hosting has some fine print.
A Bluehost 'abuse' policy that targets perhaps .001% of the users has caused 100% stress in my life now. I understand that web servers have finite resources but gheez, let me upgrade to some kind of business account or something and let me create without limits.
If anyone knows of a web hosting company that has truly Unlimited 'everything' at a reasonable price, please let me know.
UPDATE: So, I just broken down and purchased a 2nd Bluehost account and notified their ABUSE department to take me off of their KILL List. Their response, "you're free to open another account if you want to." No resolve, whatsoever. You see, even HOSTGATOR pulls the same fine-print T&C crap...(read the iNodes terms.)
I just don't want to be suspended or terminated or even down for one second. Further, I guess BlueHost isn't the only ones doing the "unlimited - as long as its limited to 50,000 files" webhosting program with fine-print T&C's (iNode). Everyone else in the hosting business is taking advantage of this terminology/legal exploit, too. Hostgator, etc. Everyone has a license, it seems, to say 'unlimited' then T&C them with the fine-print. Saddening, the levels that US businesses seem to be stooping to. Deceiving and tricking customers into thinking their getting something that they're not. I'm sure it's very effective. It got me.
So, rather than battle, I just gave Bluehost money. I am praying that I get off of the kill list. I paid my protection money and am hoping that I am left alone now.
We'll see. Judging from the non-specific response to their ABUSE department, I'd imagine that some $10/hour croney just wanted to get through his emails.
UPDATE: JUNE 23RD, 2009
BLUEHOST suspended my account today for 'excessive files'. I contacted all of my clients that now have 'THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED' instead of their corporate website. And for what? Because I had too many files on my account. Yet, I was free to transfer my files to another BLUEHOST account.
I had to transfer and re-create email addresses and aliases and forwards and domain and database transfers for 90 domains. It took me 20 hours and I am only 85% done when Bluehost shut down my account saying they had no choice that the 'system wouldn't let them extend the date'.
THANK BLUEHOST. YOU'RE A SWELL COMPANY. /SARCASM
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Hello,
I am requesting a 1-week extension for my domain ARTICLECHECKER.COM.
This domain is flagged for a HIGH FILE COUNT. I am in the process (60% completed) of moving the domains out of this account and into another BLUEHOST account.
I plan on 'decommissioning' this account as I did not know about the 50,000 file limit and this domain is WAY over that limit. I need to start over on a fresh account and keep mind of the file count. I have already purchased this account (GARRYEGAN.COM).
I am please asking for an extension of the WHITE LIST status of this account and ask that you do not interrupt my service. Service interruption would be very hard on me...not just revenue wise but I have 20 clients on that (left over from 40 clients, 20 I have moved) account. I am doing the best I can to move the accounts but there's email, files, and database, then testing afterwards.
Thank you,
Garry Egan
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Hello,
Thank you for contacting our Abuse Department.
Your current file count is 308,654. You were already given an extension until the 19th. We have extended that even further to the 23rd of June. Our system will not allow us to give more than one extension. Your account will automatically be suspended tomorrow if your file count is not at 50,000 or lower. Thank you.
Abuse Department
1958 South 950 East
Provo, UT 84606
P: 888.401.4678 | F: 801.765.1992
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