Hey Pentagon...I decided to give webpipe.net a shot. I've been with them only a few days and this is what I think:
Things that I like about webpipe:
1. They run the latest PHP (4.0.3), at least on my server.
2. It's so much cheaper than VServers.
These 2 reasons alone are enough to defeat the negatives I will mention below.
3. Their architechture is simpler too. For example, when you first log in, you will see only 2 directories: one for your web documents and the other for MySQL. You know what to use right away. On VServers, so many directories that I have no clue what they are for.
4. It seems like you can customize your host almost anything you like, not rigid like VS. But that's maybe because I'm using a dedicated MySQL.
5. Email response has been pretty quick, sometimes less than 1 hour but mostly a few hours, or the next day if you send it at night.
6. Just like this site, it also provides a board for users to post questions/comments so you can always look up for answers.
What I don't like about webpipe:
1. No documentation!! If you're used to reading the extensive manual from VServers, then you might go crazy like me. When I tried to install the w3t demo, I spent most of my time waiting for my questions to be answered from webpipe or, well, wwwthreads when I was stuck. I think I can remember the Gore and Bush's speeches by heart now after doing nothing but watching TV and waiting.
Also, I'm using a dedicated MySQL, so things are a little bit more complicated. I had to configure the username and password and privilege for each database--something that I'd never done before. On VServers, you don't need to do all this. But I assume if you use a non-dedicated MySQL, it would be a lot easier. But then you might lose some performance and flexibility.
2. Some unusual settings. For example, all directories don't have 'write' permission by default. So when I tried to install the demo, it gave me an error saying something like 'cannot open a session file. permission denied'. It took me a while to realize that it basically tried to open AND write a session file into a directory.
3. No web-based email access. Again, I'm spoiled by VServers. But they told me I could install it myself.
I've been satisfied with webpipe. I think it is perfect for people with some technical knowledge who know to get around the system. Once I'm familar with their system, things will be much easier for me.
