On today’s show we have The Planet’s General Manager of Storage and Data Protection, Rob Walters, to discuss cloud storage.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 188!
Running Time: 8 minutes | File Size: 3.60 MB

Here are some of the topics we cover in today’s interview:

• What is and what are the benefits of cloud storage?
• How is The Planet’s cloud storage business different?
• Why is creating the “shortest path” between clients and servers important?

There are five things customers should evaluate when choosing a cloud platform.

• Performance – It is important that you match the platform with the performance needs for your application.  Many cloud storage platforms only provide 2-3 Mb/sec, which is fine for most backup and archiving use cases, but is likely not sufficient for production data.  It is also important to run multiple tests and measure the variability between tests, as cloud storage platform performance can be inconsistent.
• Ease of integration – The ease of user access is critical to product adoption in web applications.  Most cloud storage products provide proprietary APIs for integration.  This means you will need to specifically develop for that cloud storage platform.  This makes integration more difficult and increases switching costs.  Check if the platform offers any standards-based integration software that allows access via CIFS, NFS, FTP or HTTP.
• Where you want your data – Most cloud products do not offer specific locations for data to reside.  In fact, these companies offer the data “in the cloud” as if “the cloud” were a location rather than an access medium.  While in many cases the physical location of data is unimportant, there are occasions when being able to select a location is beneficial.  For instance, if you are building a disaster recovery plan; working to reduce download times for a specific customer; or attempting to pass strict security audits, then where data resides is critical.
• Flexibility – One of the most appealing features of cloud storage is the flexibility of its on-demand design, which manifests itself in two primary traits: scalability and elasticity.  Most cloud storage products should free you from the task of capacity planning, hardware budgeting and upgrading.  Capacity is available on-demand, as required.  Watch out for commitments for minimum usage levels as these can negate this inherent benefit .  Cloud storage products should provide elasticity, with capacity that grows as your business requires, and scales back as soon as this excess capacity is no longer needed.
• Usage-based billing – Paying only for what you use is certainly appealing.  The primary aspects on which to judge the pricing of a cloud storage product should simply be: how much storage capacity you used and how much bandwidth was used to access your data.  Keep a sharp eye out for “hidden” fees, because in many use cases they can add up quickly to be as much or more than the primary elements of your bill.  “Hidden” fees to watch out for include: connect fees, account maintenance charges, and “puts” and “gets” charges.  Cloud platforms should offer simple and predictable monthly bills.

More Interesting Links from The Planet:

• The Planet’s Ever So Excellent Blog
• The Planet Provides Highest Performing Cloud Storage
• The Planet’s Storage Cloud Infrastructure Explained

For the second show in a row, we have the chance to talk with one of the big names in the web hosting game, so I hope you tune in to hear more about cloud storage and how The Planet is serving it up to you.  If you would like to come onto the show to talk to the entire hosting industry about what you do, how you host or anything else be sure to drop me a line at mitch@mitchkeeler.com.

Those questions, and many more, will be answered for you on this week’s edition of the Web Hosting Show.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 187!
Running Time: 5 minutes | File Size: 2.14 MB

Here are some of the questions we will cover in today’s interview:

• Why does Fasthosts centralize around reseller hosting?
• What is the biggest misconceptions about reseller hosting?
• What unique reseller hosting tools does Fasthosts provide?
• What is the history behind Fasthosts?
• Is reseller hosting a good way to make some money?

Also here are a few resources you might want to check out after listening to the interview:

• Fasthosts.com
• Fasthosts Reseller Tools

Thanks to Steve for joining us on today’s show. If you would like to come onto the show to talk to the entire hosting industry about what you do, how you host or anything else be sure to drop me a line at mitch@mitchkeeler.com.

On today’s show I am going to speak with Aplus.net’s CEO Phillip Spencer on what exactly they do and his own views on the web hosting world.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 183!
Running Time: 6 minutes | File Size: 2.55 MB

Here are some of the questions we will cover in today’s interview:

• What is Aplus.net and how long have you been around the hosting industry?
• For those who have not been to your web site, this question might be a little out of the blue, however – who is Jeff?
• Looking back at the past few years, in what ways do you
  see the hosting industry changing?
• You also have a blog. As one of the few hosts that do this, do you feel it has hurt or helped your business?
• If somebody out there is looking for a web host, could you give me a quick reason why they should turn to Aplus.net?

Also here are a few resources you might want to check out after listening to the interview:

• Aplus.net’s Official Web Site
• Aplus.net’s Blog

Many thanks to Phillip for being on today’s show. If you would like to come on and speak to the entire web hosting industry, feel free to contact me at mitch@mitchkeeler.com.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 178!
Running Time: 12 minutes | File Size: 5.58 MB

Here are just a few of the questions we covered:

• How long has Axsys hosting been around and what type of services do you provide?
• What is your own history inside of the web hosting business?
• What advice do you have for others looking to make a mark or maybe get started in the web hosting business?
• Do you have any personal pet peeves when it comes to competing with the bigger names of the hosting world?
• What other projects do you have other than Axsys Hosting right now?

If you want to learn more about Axsys Hosting, be sure to visit their web site at axsyshosting.com. Also, while you are in the browsing mood – be sure to check out these other sister sites:

• http://www.AxsysTechGroup.com
• http://www.AxsysDesignStudio.com
• http://www.BuildMySiteTonight.com

Many thanks to Ken for being on today’s show. If you would like to come on and speak to the entire web hosting industry, feel free to contact me at mitch@mitchkeeler.com.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 168!
Running Time: 8 minutes | File Size: 3.33 MB

On today’s show, I got the chance to speak with Aric Pedersen, who works tech support for the Netenberg company.  If you have ever wondered how Fantastico got started, or how you could get your own scripts included in this legendary cPanel add-on, this podcast is for you.  We also cover other services Netenberg offers to the hosting industry, Fantastico 3, as well as what make Fantastico unique in comparison with some of the other “one-click” install scripts out there.

For those of you who may not know, Fantastico is an add-on for cPanel put out by the fine people at Netenberg.com.  With more than 10,000 installations, it provides more than one million end users the ability to quickly install dozens of the leading open source content management systems into their web space.

Now, some people may say, “Why not just install the scripts you need yourself?”.  While that may be an alternative for seasoned gurus like myself, or some of you out there, new people to the web hosting game sometimes need a helping hand.

It integrates with your cPanel and gives you and your web-hosting customers the ability to install multiple instances of any of these scripts:

• in add-on domains
• in subdomains
• in top level directories

How does Fantasico stand up to other third party script installers? Check out this handy comparison chart to find out more information about that.  I am all about making the world of web hosting and web mastering easier, and Fantastico has been helping in that effort for years.

So if you want to know more about this company and the tools they provide, stay tuned – because this will be your kind of podcast.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 167!
Running Time: 9 minutes | File Size: 3.82 MB

On today’s podcast I am lucky enough to have the Vice President of Business Operations of SmarterTools Inc, Jeff Hardy.  From going through their services to ask him why he thinks these tools would be helpful to your web hosting or small business, I promise to leave you at least knowing more about this excellent web services company.

SmarterTools defines itself as an information technology management software company.  They build applications to simplify, automate, and really just make our lives easier.  Founded in 2003, the company is (in at least my opinion) one of the top web hosting script and service companies too.

How can I say that?  Well, thankfully I don’t have to.  Their services do the talking for them.  Here are their main products.

• SmarterMail - SmarterMail Windows mail server is the cost-effective Microsoft Exchange alternative. SmarterMail provides antispam/antivirus out-of-the-box, reporting, events/notifications, throttling, email archiving, and more.
• SmarterTrack – SmarterTrack brings all the functionality of a Help Desk, a Ticket System, Live Chat, WhosOn, Cost Analysis, Data Mining, Reporting, and a Knowledge Base in one software application—delivered through one elegant Web interface.
• SmarterStats – SmarterStats log analytics delivers detailed website statistics for a single website or up to thirty thousand websites across a distributed network.

To find out more about the company, what they do and how they can help you, check out SmarterTools.com.

They specialize in support for small, medium and large hosting companies.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 166!
Running Time: 10 minutes | File Size: 4.44 MB

On today’s show I am luck enough to get to talk with the co-founder and Director of Bobcares, Sangeetha Naik. Want to know what they are all about, who they get the most business from, and how they feel about their type of services versus freelance contractors, this is the podcast for you.

Bobcares promotes itself as somebody who works on your business as much as you do.  With services ranging from phone support, to help desk and server administration – they have left no stone unturned when it comes to a variety of different support options they provide.

What Services Can They Provide to Me?

Just looking over their help desk service options, they provide support for WHM/cPanel, Parallels, Helm, H-Sphere, Ensim, Webmin, Alabanza, WinPanel, DirectAdmin, Cobalt RAQ, and DonHost.

With phone support, they offer 12 to 24 hour support, and the ever-important overnight option, so you can catch some sleep while they keep thing under control.  Server management varies from hourly services to monthly, with everything covered in between.  They also specialize in Virtual Private Server (VPS) support too.

Another secret jewel of theirs I found was the blog, you can check out the Bobcares blog here: http://bobcares.com/index.php/blog/

Want to give them a shot? Try out their FREE, no obligations 7 day trial and see what Bobcares can do for you.  Also be sure to let them know that the Web Hosting Show sent you there.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 162!
Running Time: 8 minutes | File Size: 3.03 MB

Here is how the Association of Internet and Hosting Service Providers is described from the official web site’s front page:

We represent an innovative collaboration of industry providers, from small Web hosting proprietors to major software vendors and consultants. We aim to instill a spirit of cooperation within hosting and related industries and achieve meaningful representation for our shared interests in the public sphere.

After listening, if you are interested in learning more, check these links out:

• AIHSP Membership Section
• AIHSP Community Forums
• AIHSP – 14 Long-term Goals

Personally, I am fully behind any organization that promotes the success of the hosting industry as a whole.  The AIHSP looks to be on the right track.

On today’s special edition of the Web Hosting Show we have in the studio Emory Rowland of Clickfire.com. Emory has been an insider in both the web hosting and web development worlds for a long time – so there are many topics I would like to pick his brain about. Today though we will be cover from head to toe the world of web hosting reviews.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 152!
Running Time: 11 minutes | File Size: 5.00 MB

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• The Background Story Behind Clickfire.com!
• What Gives a Web Host “Staying Power” These Days?
• How to Stay Honest with Your Hosting Reviews!
• What Happens When the Web Host Bites Back?
• The Most Important Factors of Web Host Reviewing?

Some web host reviewers are shady or down right scammy, but Emory is a guy I know and trust so when he says a web host is good or bad – I know I can believe him. What should and should not come into play though when seeking out and shopping for your next web host?

How does one sell their web hosting company? I’ve got Errett Cord on the show today to answer your questions on this hot topic in hosting.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 149!
Running Time: 9 minutes | File Size: 3.94 MB

Here are just a few topics from this special edition of the Web Hosting Show.

• Why would you want to sell your hosting company?
• Is it easy to sell a web host?
• What are some of the legalities and loopholes?
• How long does selling a web hosting company take?
• What is the best advice for anybody looking to sell a hosting company?

No matter if your looking to retire for the hosting business or you just want to get out now and do something else I have your exit strategy planned out and ready to go on this episode of the Web Hosting Show. When it comes to doing something new, why not talk with somebody who has done through it before?

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 139!
Running Time: 13 minutes | File Size: 5.57 MB

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• Why you should be using R1Soft for your server backups!
• Who is DJ Netizen and what does he have to do with Mario?
• How Personal and Work Lives in Hosting Merge Together
• What does a “server backup” company really do?

My interview with Mario might be on the list of my top ten favorite interviews I have done in the nearly three years I’ve been producing this podcast. Loads of fun as well as lots of good information to be had.

Out of them all – I’d have to say one of my favorites might be Alex McMillen of Sliqua Enterprise Hosting. We’ve been friends almost since I started this show – and he’s always been a big supporter of what I’ve tried to do and create here.

So with that said, I figured one good turn deserves another and finally got him tied down to doing an interview with me here on the Web Hosting Show.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 121!
Running Time: 5 minutes | File Size: 2.33 MB

Want to know more about the hosting behind the man? Here are a few more tidbits from the Sliqua.com web site.

Sliqua Enterprise Hosting is your partner in the hosting industry. Each account is assigned a specialist that works with your business on a regular basis in order to develop new ways to make your business more profitable online. Similar to the “Managed Hosting” niche of the marketplace, Sliqua strives to provide quick responses to support inquiries with fast resolution times.

Here are some of the topics Alex and I covered on today’s show.

• Alex’s story of how he got into the web hosting industry
• The most important aspects for small web host fish in the big hosting pond.
• Where in the heck did “sliqua” come from and how do you actually say it?

We talked about more than that – but for the rest you’ll have to tune into the podcast. For more information on Sliqua Enterprise Hosting and what they can do for you – check out Sliqua.com. You can also find their blog at IsYourMissionCritical.com. You’ll be happy your did.

Not too many people might toss web hosting into that mix, but there is one hosting company looking to change that. BlueFur.com is far from being “just another hosting company”. After having the chance to talk with the man in charge over there, Gary Jones, I think they have many great things to offer and look forward to in the future.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 120!
Running Time: 5 minutes | File Size: 2.09 MB

BlueFur.com has an interesting back story as well. Here is just a preview of how they describe themselves from their company bio web page.

BlueFur.com is a small Surrey-based company that is dedicated to providing fast reliable web hosting and internet services. is a leader in Canadian web services. Our reputation is built upon personal customer service, managed domain name registration, web site hosting and email address hosting.

The company has been structured to meet the demands of a dynamic and changing web hosting market.

Here are a few questions and topics we covered with Gary on this episode:

• What is the history of BlueFur.com in the hosting industry?
• What is the story behind the odd company name?
• Why web hosts should or should not keep a blog going?

Of course that is only touching part of the topics we covered. If you want to get it all – you’ll have to download the show. For more information about how you can get yourself a BlueFur.com hosting account check out their web site. If your looking for another blog to read – I highly suggest Gary’s BlueFur Blog.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 118!
Running Time: 21 minutes | File Size: 9.46 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• Is Carbonite a Good Backup Choice?
• Green Hosting, Real or Fantasy?
• Fast and Easy Blog Backup Solutions!
• Ben of WebHostingUnleashed.com Covers HostingCon 2007
• Onsite Stats vs Offsite Stats, Who Wins?

Link of the Week: HostingCon 2007 Summary

More reliable than a Swedish clock the runs backwards, I am back along with a wonderful podcast for you, you and you to enjoy.

For a massive list of Green Hosts try our Green Hosting Guide. Support a host who is doing their part to reduce their impact on this planet.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 113!
Running Time: 13 minutes | File Size: 5.62 MB

On this podcast I was thrilled to get to have a sit down chat with Host Search’s Web Editor John Hughes. Because of the Web Hosting Show, I have known John for a few years as one of the public voices and go to guys for Host Search. He really is one of the “good guys” in the hosting industry.

Host Search is one of the most established, most influential and most widely respected web hosting directory on the Web. Just by viewing their front page you can see they tackle everything from hosting interviews, to news and discussions.

There is a lot of good quality content there for you to comb through no matter if you are a web hosting guru or just a guy that got his first web site. I like Host Search because it is a resource everybody can get something out of.

I think that just about covers it. Now while I start to filter out the e-mails I’m already starting to get from English teachers from around the world you listen to this episode of the Web Hosting Show.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 112!
Running Time: 13 minutes | File Size: 6.12 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• Some Hosting News and Gossip
• Interview with Dan Garon from Press Advance
• A Little ‘Bit of News on Intenet 2
• Even Hosts Are Getting into iPhone Hype
• Calling Out This Podcast’s Haters

Link of the Week: WHT Rejects Try to Review This Show

Howdy there, salutations and all that good stuff. We’ve all met back at the same spot and I know exactly why your here. You browsed in from the Web or your a dedicated fan, and the topics I tease you with – they make you want to listen. Hey, I don’t blame you – I’d be enticed too by legal threats from English teachers and press releases.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 111!
Running Time: 20 minutes | File Size: 9.94 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• Should I Give Web Hosting Talk Another Shot?
• Interview with Troy Augustine from iNet Interactive
• What are Landing Pages for Web Sites?
• Top 10 RSS Feeds from the Hosting Industry
• Get a Web Hosting Education, Without the Boring Stuff!

Link of the Week: 100 Oldest Currently Registered Domains

Angela Lansbury never really wrote anything about murder but I can promise you this show is called the Web Hosting Show and it is at least 99.9 percent about the web hosting world we live in today. What’s the other .1 percent?

Making Angela Lansbury or midget jokes that only make me giggle. Well, you can’t forget about the midgets too – and well, if you had a midget Mrs Lansbury then well.. that would make for one heck of a good podcast.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 110!
Running Time: 26 minutes | File Size: 11.6 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• George Roberts Interview on HostingCon 2007
• A New Digg Clone for Hosting Deals
• New Segment – Social Review of Globat Web Hosting
• Web Development Resource Review – DavidAirey.com
• My Thoughts on Hosting Reviews and This Podcast

Do we have any web developers in the house? How about web hosts? web hosting customers? If you have raised your hand at least once in the last five second I want you to stick around because this podcast is just for you.

Now for the rest of you – you might want to hang out for a while as well, because each and every week on this show I do my best to help make you into one (or make you a better one) of those three selections as well.

Link of the Week: Build Your Own Server!

Tune in as Ben from Web Hosting Unleashed tells us what it takes to start and run a successful company Online today. The Web Hosting Show is now on the air.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 109!
Running Time: 21 minutes | File Size: 9.44 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• Interview with Ben Welch-Bolen of Web Hosting Unleashed
• The 4 Deadly Sins in Web Hosting
• Want to Purchase or Sell Your Hosting Company?
• A Few Open Source FTP Programs Worth Using
• Answering Your Hosting Questions!

Did you miss me? Hopefully you did. I took last week off because I had to preform my duties as a groomsman in my friend’s (SB-1) wedding. Now I am back though, and ready to tackle what you can toss at me. Yeah “Mr. Web Hosting Industry” I am looking at you.

Link of the Week: Mitch’s Top 10 Offline Applications

Today I talk with their marketing mastermind Amy Armitage. The Web Hosting Show is now on the air.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 106!
Running Time: 21 minutes | File Size: 9.61 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• An Interview with Amy Armitage of Lunarpages.com
• What is a Woman’s Place in the Hosting Industry?
• Marketing Tips Everybody Can Learn From!
• Do I Love or Hate the New cPanel 11?
• Finding Domain Registrars for Wacky Extensions!

Seems like we have had more people accepting or asking to be featured in an interview here on the podcast. This week is Amy – last week was Julien and hey, next week could be you.

I have a few more Web industry movers and shakers I am talking with and trying to bring onto the show. So if you know of somebody or if you are somebody who’d like to come on and chat just drop me an E-mail at mitch@mitchkeeler.com. I’m a real easy guy to get a hold of.

Link of the Week: Lunarpages Lunatics

Also tune in for some Web development help, a Firefox extension that will knock your socks off and the regular ol’ Web Hosting Show antics. The Web Hosting Show, episode 105 is on the air.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 105!
Running Time: 15 minutes | File Size: 6.83 MB

Here are just a few topics that we discussed on this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• An Interview with Julien Szemere of Wormly.com!
• Five Web Development Tools of the Trade!
• Lori – a Firefox Extension for Hosting Gurus!
• A Link to Resize your Web Site to Any Size at All!
• Wild and Wacky Web Hosting Edu-tainment!

Always an innovator and never a duplicator the Web Hosting Show is back on the air again and I am happy to hear you have joined us yet again for another trip down the confusing crooked road we call the Web hosting industry. I can’t promise to make it all work for you – but week after week, I try my best job at trying to explain it, one overly hyped feature at a time.

Link of the Week: Ping! Zine Magazine, Movie Makers?

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 9 minutes | File Size: 3.84 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 11 minutes | File Size: 4.85 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 16 minutes | File Size: 7.22 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 8 minutes | File Size: 7.09 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 10 minutes | File Size: 4.34 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Segment! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 36 minutes | File Size: 16.4 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 13 minutes | File Size: 5.72 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Download This Interview! (via TopHosts.com)
Running Time: 9 minutes | File Size: 3.84 MB

This interview is brought to us by TopHosts.com and their coverage of HostingCon 2006. For more Web hosting news, information and HostingCon coverage check out TopHosts.com!

Drift 2 Hosting Interview

I drift back and forth from the real world to the hosting world all the time. I don’t think that is what Greg Pruitt had in mind when starting Drift 2 Hosting. I recently had a chance to talk to him about Drift 2 Hosting as a hosting experience, as well as a few topics about the hosting industry itself.

FastServers.net Interview

I recently had a chance to talk with Aaron Phillips, the Vice President of FastServers.Net. I wanted to get some of his insight on and about the world of Web hosting. FastServers.net is one of the best dedicated server hosts I have seen in a long time. They provide great customer service and they do so with a smile.