Update: This is an old archived post on this site and is only kept online for my own archival purposes. The content and images on this post this might be outdated, incomplete, or no longer relevant in today’s discourse. Please do not sue me if the Internet breaks because you read this and tried to do whatever was on here.
I fell in love with the grid (gs) back when I signed up and up to the last minute. It was easy for me to ignore the issues with loading times, downtime and other problems as I was one happy customer. Mediatemple is family, but you just can’t stay at home for the rest of your life.
Before this article was written, Archon Digital took eons to fully load which I find to be really frustrating a lot of times. It has been on a Mediatemple Grid Server ever since the domain was bought in January 2007 and moving away from their lovely control panel was like moving away from home for the first time.
Evolution by Choice
As far as I can tell, I’ve already outgrown the Grid. I’ve outgrown not the capability and limitations of the system, but more on what else I can do and learn from it. I craved for root access and the freedom of being able to fully configure my own server.
The next step was definitely going to be a VPS for me and back then I was choosing between Mediatemple‘s DV hosting and Slicehost VPS. The decision was made early last week, where I concluded that learning how to setup my own box from scratchwould be more beneficial to me in the long run.
I enjoyed using Mediatemple’s Grid Server (gs) hosting and have had good experience with their tech support and all their friendly staff as well. While there were indeed numerous outages, I still consider Mediatemple a great hosting company and their upcoming Cluster Server (cs) will most probably a better successor to the Grid.
Other problems I encountered with the Grid were related to certain TXT DNS entries which I badly need for domainkeys and others to work. Those who regularly visit my site can probably tell the difference on how much the loading time has improved. From a previous 1.0 to 8.0 seconds to a speedy 0.56 seconds
Why Not Shared?
You really can’t make me go back to shared hosting. I have nothing against it as it works real well for a lot of people, but I really feel more like I’ve outgrown it long ago. Even tried reseller hosting for a few sites last year but to me it’s still just shared hosting with a few added perks.
I also run a few other sites that require more resources and you would probably hate to be my neighbor in a shared hosting box.
What Next?
So that’s about it. I just need to transfer a few sites off to another hosting account and will then officially close my grid server account. I have documented how I set up my NGINX setup and compiled most of the information on a new article which will be posted here soon.
29 comments
bendz
Someday, when my online ventures turns BIG, I’m gonna get a dedicated hosting plan. Hehhe
Deimos Tel`Arind
Dedicated hosting is too rich for my blood for the time being, plus my blog / site is not generating that much income to cover the expenses for a dedicated hosting plan. -_-
archondigital
It’s a VPS account not really a dedicated box, the setup is similar but on a smaller scale. $20 just like my previous Mediatemple host. Getting a dedicated box is very expensive for me at the moment and would have no need for it right now. Follow archondigital on Twitter
Car Blog
I’m in the same predicament right now, actually. I have Mediatemple’s Grid Service, and to be honest, I’m not very happy with the excessive outages. I’m paying more for *good* shared hosting, and the down time is more than my $8/month Hostgator account? Give me a break. Anyway, I’m thinking about going to VPS, but I’m not sure with whom yet. I was considering WiredTree and LiquidWeb; I heard good things for both. Any recommendations?
Jaypee
So you’ve decided and moved to VPS. Good for you! All the best and hope it works out for you. If MT doesn’t work for me, then I know who to ask. Hehe Btw, its my first time to visit this blog and I’m impressed. Great job with the custom theme. I’m adding you to my blogroll and will be visiting often. Follow jaypee on Twitter
Cynthia Blue
I just got a VPS and I really like it. I outgrew my shared hosting. It’s the 2nd (well, 3rd or 4th if you count crashes) time I’ve set up a *nix server so was fun!
archondigital
It’s never too late to learn Follow archondigital on Twitter
archondigital
I remember trying more than eight times before finally getting it. Particularly the FastCGI thing. and yes, it was a lot of fun setting up NGINX Follow archondigital on Twitter
Mike Huang
You should check out Hostgator for dedicated servers, but if you want VPS there are a lot better ones, but I just brain farted and can’t remember the name. I only recall it was about $40/month, which is a steal for a VPS server I don’t have the money to pay for servers either, but if you talk to hosting companies about getting sponsored, you may just get it -Mike
archondigital
I am now with Slicehost. My site now loads much faster and haven’t had any downtime since moving. Follow archondigital on Twitter
archondigital
Thanks for visiting, I read your blog as well Follow archondigital on Twitter
archondigital
I went ahead and signed up for Slicehost $20 per month. Follow archondigital on Twitter
bendz
Someday, when my online ventures turns BIG, I’m gonna get a dedicated hosting plan. Hehhe [Reply]
Deimos Tel`Arind
Dedicated hosting is too rich for my blood for the time being, plus my blog / site is not generating that much income to cover the expenses for a dedicated hosting plan. -_- [Reply]
archondigital
It’s a VPS account not really a dedicated box, the setup is similar but on a smaller scale. $20 just like my previous Mediatemple host. Getting a dedicated box is very expensive for me at the moment and would have no need for it right now. [Reply]
The Aries
Hi… You have a nice blog template and content. I like it I will subscribe you, hope you want subscribe my blog also Oh, yea, how I can put widget “Advertise Here” like in your site? Where I can find it? Can I get one? thanks [Reply]
archondigital
55 am: Thanks for visiting… I use OIO Publisher for my advertising you can click on the banner ad I put up [Reply]
Cynthia Blue
I just got a VPS and I really like it. I outgrew my shared hosting. It’s the 2nd (well, 3rd or 4th if you count crashes) time I’ve set up a *nix server so was fun! [Reply]
archondigital
04 pm: I remember trying more than eight times before finally getting it. Particularly the FastCGI thing. and yes, it was a lot of fun setting up NGINX [Reply]
sogeshirts
I had never even heard of dedicated hosting. I am such a noob. [Reply]
archondigital
01 am: It’s never too late to learn [Reply]
baldeagle
I’ve had my service go down a couple of times (I’m still on shared hosting), so it is good to get info on the alternatives. Thanks! [Reply]
archondigital
50 am: Running your own setup involves a lot more work but it’s worth it. So far, I’m still having fun and learning at the same time. [Reply]
Car Blog
I’m in the same predicament right now, actually. I have Mediatemple’s Grid Service, and to be honest, I’m not very happy with the excessive outages. I’m paying more for *good* shared hosting, and the down time is more than my $8/month Hostgator account? Give me a break. Anyway, I’m thinking about going to VPS, but I’m not sure with whom yet. I was considering WiredTree and LiquidWeb; I heard good things for both. Any recommendations? [Reply]
archondigital
46 am: I am now with Slicehost. My site now loads much faster and haven’t had any downtime since moving. [Reply]
Jaypee
So you’ve decided and moved to VPS. Good for you! All the best and hope it works out for you. If MT doesn’t work for me, then I know who to ask. Hehe [Reply]
archondigital
09 pm: Thanks for visiting, I read your blog as well [Reply]
Mike Huang
You should check out Hostgator for dedicated servers, but if you want VPS there are a lot better ones, but I just brain farted and can’t remember the name. I only recall it was about $40/month, which is a steal for a VPS server I don’t have the money to pay for servers either, but if you talk to hosting companies about getting sponsored, you may just get it -Mike [Reply]
IITJEE
Nice design.. and nicely written content… you hav a nice blog dr….. [Reply]