Does it make sense to get a dedicated server now?

[Alphawolf]

I could use some opinions.

I know what server I want and what management company I want.

If I don't feel like paying the $199 setup fee it will be a total of $184/mo

OK. Not so bad, but thing is I will be going to Vietnam in about 4 weeks for a period of 2-3 weeks.

So, basically if I ordered it now and got it within 2-3 days I'd have about 3 weeks to dive into TGP traffic..then I'd not be able to submit anything for at least 3 weeks after that.

Now, if it was September or October I probably wouldn't hesitate so much.

However, as it gets closer to Xmas I see sales slowing down from what little free sites I have.

Does it make sense to launch full steam into TGP traffic right near Xmas?

On one hand I could just say 'fuck it' and give it a whirl and I know I'd get some sales.

On the other hand, the bulk of any galleries submitted would be week before, during and after Xmas. Then nothing for at least 3 weeks as I'm out of the country during that period.

Is it worth it to launch this now or simply wait until I'm back from Vietnam?

I keep flip-flopping. help me make up my mind.

[Cleo]

Last time I looked M3Server didn't have any setup fees on their $200 a month dedicated server.

Having your own server is very nice and you can move the domains to it that you have now on shared hosting which will reduce your monthly server expenses.

I would get it now and try to get a bunch of submitting. Some places take a month or so to even list you. You could even build and place a bunch of your stuff on your server and then submit it from any computer while you are in Vietnam. I'm guessing that you can get some kind of internet access while you are there.

I resell space on my server to my art type non adult friends so they can put their portfolios on line and a few other non adult people. I basically don't pay anything for hosting due to this.

[Alphawolf]

Hi Cleo.

Good point on moving my domains (just 1 active) to the dedicated. That would save me $50/mo.

m3 server have nothing close in bandwidth/cost and what you get hardware wise:

https://www.servermatrix.com/solutions/ss24_server.html

I was including the $35/mo management fee as I just don't have the skills to properly admin Linux.

I'm not sure why I didn't think of being able to move my freesites to the dedicated.

[serverprovider]

[Ramster]

Wait until you get back. Also at the Vegas show there is ALWAYS deals offered. Just post after the show about hosting deals and I'm sure you'll find something.

Also be sure that whatever you get is managed and has good support. And they know what they are doing.

[Useless]

My very recent move to a dedicated server was a decision based upon a few factors.

1. My host decided a few months ago that it was no longer going to host adult content because someone loaded cp on one of their virtual accounts. I had to reassure them that I only deal with legal adult content and I gave them a whole lecture on 2257. They told me I was safe with them, but what if someone gets a hair up their ass one day and decides to void that agreement and shut me down? I'd be screwed.

2. I felt a desperate need to start moving myself to the next level and realized I couldn't do it with the bandwidth and resource restrictions on my hosting account.

3. I was damn tired of the four million other sites on the host's server slowing my sites down. Even if I was to purchase a larger account for space and bw reasons, there'd still be hordes of other schucks consuming server resources.

4. The wife said, 'start making more money or get a job.' I've been at this too long, enjoying it too much, and I'm finally making money. In other words, I'm beyond the point of no return.

[Alphawolf]

Hmm OK. 1 for and 1 against.

Ramster, I feel pretty comfortable with the servermatrix choice right now + http://www.acunett.com/management/ to take care of it.

In searching forums (they both have one) it seems like a combination everyone is very happy with.

Servermatrix is opening another datacenter late December and they will have some specials..what I dunno...

Thanks for whoever deleted the spam. I posted a note a while ago asking for spam and got nothing. Now they come. Too late! I did my research and unless there's a very compelling reason to pick another company I feel comfident in my choice, just not in timing.

You know what. I just made up my mind. I went to the gym and my head is clear.

I will wait till I get back.

That way I can get more free sites out there and make a few more $'s before going to dedicated.

I'll also be mentally fresh and ready to go full steam ahead.

I really won't be able to submit anything from Vietnam on a regular basis nor do I want to think about it while I'm there.

In the meantime, I can start working on some galleries to have for when I do get the server.

[Alphawolf]

Originally posted by Useless Warrior

2. I felt a desperate need to start moving myself to the next level and realized I couldn't do it with the bandwidth and resource restrictions on my hosting account.

That's a big part of it for me. But I can deal with another month of free sites only.

I stay pretty close to but still below the 46GB per month on my virtual account.

I'd probably start to out grow that pretty soon though.

4. The wife said, 'start making more money or get a job.' I've been at this too long, enjoying it too much, and I'm finally making money. In other words, I'm beyond the point of no return.

Yeah- I'm not there quite yet.

Will continue free sites next 4 weeks and build some galleries with the better content.

Then let them hang out and perhaps ask for a couple reviews, etc...

I don't really want to go about trying to get / getting partner accounts then not submit anything for several weeks.

I'm all good now that I resolved it in my head.

[DangerDave]

AW... the move to dedicated is certainly a good one...


My 2c..


As Ramster said.. go managed, go reuptable.

and dont move you existing free sites there ... yet...

Leave them where they are, and work to make the 50$ to cover their cost.. If all goes well that 50$ shouldnt be a prob.

DD

[Alphawolf]

DD,

So you like http://www.phatservers.net/hosting_p...ted/index.html ?

btw, whois.sc shows DANGERDAVE.COM as expiring Feb 2005.

[DangerDave]

I Phatservers

In fact I want to marry Mike the Tech
(just dont tell Deb!)


"DANGERDAVE.COM as expiring Feb 2005" and it will be renewed in Feb 2005

DD

[Bill]

Wait till you get back. Shop around, study, and think in the meantime.

[Cleo]

Whoever you go with I would go with managed.

[Alphawolf]

okie dokie. Sounds like good advise all around.

Looks like I have some time now to do just what Bill says.

[Alphawolf]

Originally posted by DangerDave
I
"DANGERDAVE.COM as expiring Feb 2005" and it will be renewed in Feb 2005

DD

With GoDaddy?

[Bill]

Oh, I forgot to add... unless you want to expense it for 2004.

I'm always very aware of my expenditures in december- gotta keep an eye on the tax situation, and planning to keep as much of my profits as possible come april 15th.

And pay upfront for the setup, if you have to- you'll be using that server for years, and you'll spend too much overall if you let them charge you extra monthly for the "setup".

[Alphawolf]

Well, if I did go with them you can pay the 'setup' fee anytime to knock down the price.

Like you stated though- look around, etc...

Nope- don't need it to be an expense.

[GeorgeTH]

Originally posted by Alphawolf
I really won't be able to submit anything from Vietnam on a regular basis nor do I want to think about it while I'm there.

I can understand that! Mostly when away you're really in a holiday mood and removed from all day-to-day-hussle...
But every time I had been travelling I had sites prepared, not knowing what I would be doing... Then it happens that one day you're coming down with a stomache bug, you feel like shit (double sense) and you really want to be near a toilet all day, so you sit down in an internet cafe with clean facilities and make the best use of the situation. Or it's a grey day with heavy tropical rain... ot too hot around lunch time... or... You don't have to do all in one hit, either - at least you get something done! And if not, you arrive at home all jet-lagged and are ready to start without too much preparation... Just uplaoding from unknown locations is usally quite difficult!

Originally posted by DangerDave
I Phatservers
In fact I want to marry Mike the Tech

I second that! ...and no set-up fee with phatservers (though an up-front payment towards your account), and I believe they'll be even moving your current site (saves a headache)!

[plateman]

I too just went to a dedicated server and also like phat servers and they gave me a heck of a deal on a older server and I like mike wesson the tech and he even gave some help on questions on auto gallery pro install that I done.. I also can say Its a pain to keep moving servers if you have scripts and phat is in adult big time so they know the biz..

[Alphawolf]

OK. I e-mailed phatservers to see what they could offer.

[plateman]

Alphawolf get ahold of sly his ICQ # is on there contact page somewhere and he will hook you up

[GeorgeTH]

ICQ 62 · 834 · 006 - - - Moose from Phatservers

Good Luck!

[Alphawolf]

Well, Sly shot me an e-mail and added me to ICQ already.

I'll hook up with him sometime in the next few days. He seems a cool dude.

[Alphawolf]

Well, I hooked up with Sly on ICQ and it seems we'll have a good deal done by tomorrow on an older server.

I also got a very prompt reply from their general sales e-mail.

I was very heavily leaning towards the solution I had above.

Now- I'm very confident in going with Phatservers.

Will update when I get all the details tomorrow.

Thanks for chiming in folks.