Finding a good web host

So I recently had a horrible experience with 1and1.com, a large webhosting provider, apparently according to many random people in a lifehacker open thread, they were one of the best, so I signed up with them. A day or two later I go in to check it out and play around, see how the database works, and I'm immediately thrown off, I see a MySQL manager, but no MS SQL manager, and I'm thinking, hmm perhaps I just can't find it. Lots of searching later, panicking, doubting myself for wondering how in the hell I could buy windows hosting that doesn't come with MS SQL, I ended up research the web for how I can just use MySQL, and what I found was complicated, poorly documented, and sounded like I'd have to rewrite my whole app.

So I go back to their homepage, and find the database option which is hidden, and it says MySQL, and I'm thinking, I would have swore it was MS SQL! Later I realized I was on the Linux tab, and now the Windows tab, then I had a sigh of relief, I wasn't crazy, I should have it. So I go back in to my hosting and browse through every PDF, and find mention of an MS SQL tool, but I still can't find how to access it, the images all look wrong compared to what I got.

Then it hit me, somehow I got stuck with motherfucking linux hosting. I go back and check my bill, sure enough that's what on there! How the hell did this happen?? I know I couldn't have signed up for Linux, so I call the company at the worst time, when I'm starving and upset at lunch. Billing says I can pay $10 bucks to changeover, or I have to buy a whole new account, then get the tech team to transfer my free domain, then I have to use my money back guarantee on the first one. Seems like some effort, but ok, so they put me over to the tech guy, I re-explain the situation and he tries to take me through the menus to switch it where it would cost me, I ask him if it will cost, because it should be free, you guys fucked up, he says, oh well you could sign up for the new account, but the small text in the agreement states that you will lose your 6 months at half price option as you are no longer a new customer. I'm furious and starving, so I hang up and go to lunch.

Later in the afternoon, I decide to call back and talk to someone else on billing, I explain my situation, I say I just signed up for service, you guys fucked up and gave me the wrong hosting, and now you want me to pay to fix your mistake, is that what you are saying? She says "Yep, That's pretty much it". I say, then fine, I'm going to cancel my account, she says, "Ok, now I just need your password to verify your account". She didn't even fucking try to keep my business! what the hell is that? I ask if I can email it, she says no, I say I'm not saying my password outloud in the office, so I'll call back later.

I call back later from my car, give my password, wait on hold for 5 minutes, then as I finally get frustrated again, I'm off hold and she asks if I'd like to say why I cancelled, I said I sure would, I told her you guys fucked up and wanted to charge me, so I'm out, she says ok, Thanks. I say bye.

Wow, what a pile of shit their customer service is. In the afternoon I did a twitter search for 1and1.com and guess what I found? all complaints and warnings. Goddamn I should search twitter more before hand!

When I did get the survey, I gave them a very bad rating and put in a few choice words on their behalf.

Let's see if my new hosting lives up to standards. I found Arvixe after doing some more research and found some good ratings, and they give you lots of unlimited stuff.

If you want to sign up, please use my link!
http://www.arvixe.com/201.html

WTF?

so @BreakingNews tweets:
A bonobo ape confronted by a group of angry pregnant females managed to escape from an island at the Apenheul zoo in Holland; no injuries.

WTF DOES THAT MEAN!? is that a joke?!!
So I google it and find article:

Ape escapes in Dutch zoo, no visitors hurt

53 minutes ago

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Separated from his mother and confronted by a group of angry pregnant females, a bonobo ape didn't hesitate Thursday at a Dutch zoo.

Zamba ran through a 23-foot (7-meter) -wide moat surrounding the animals' island at the Apenheul zoo and straight into an area where dozens of shocked visitors were standing.

But there, the 11-year-old lived up to his species' reputation as peacenik primates and left the public alone until zookeepers ushered him safely back into captivity.

Nobody was injured in the Thursday morning escape, said Bert de Boer, a spokesman for the zoo in the central city of Apeldoorn.

"There was no panic," De Boer said.

Bonobos — often lauded as the "peaceful ape" — are known for their matriarchal society in which female leaders work to avoid conflict, and their sex-loving lifestyle. They originate in the central African country of Congo.

With his mother at the other end of the island, Zamba had nobody to turn to when he got into an argument about food and couldn't charm the mothers-to-be, the zoo said.

"Bonobos often resolve tensions with sex," the zoo said in a statement. "But in this case, through an unusual set of circumstances, Zamba couldn't manage it." It did not elaborate.

The zoo says it will review the security of its bonobo island, and particularly the moat's depth, following the escape.

I'm still thinking WTF? what kind of article is this? It's still confusing and raises even more questions regarding monkey sex?

jeez

things to feature in here

• amazon store I set up
• concert listing!

future blog post idea

Why I would NEVER choose a mac over a pc

some reference material

• http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/04/09/avoid-the-apple-tax-cash-in-on-the-value-of-windows.aspx?PageIndex=2
• price points
• upgrades
• games
• custom build
• support
• idiots and tools
  
• style and popularity
• ipods
• right click
• software
• cool but useless in the real world selling points
• those stupid commercials: ripping, writing docs, surf the net, email, webcam
• pirates of silicon valley
  

morality on the interwebs?

So I currently have a business idea that, while it could make me some good money, it could ruin the internet at the same time. It could help people I hate be assholes even more, but I profit from their heightened assholery. At the sametime, a similar service has already been trailblazed and is now commonplace. I could just follow the money as someone else could do it before me. Is it inevitable? Perhaps I should be the opportunist to sell to the slime, but also the one who can fight their ways by creating a better standard of business. It's a problem we all face, and and I think some people would pay for it, yet it would be akin to the stockmarket. Or maybe ebay. But either way, any marketplace is good if people come to exchange money for goods, and I get a cut. From a business perspective anyways...

I just can't get enough of this video today

This has been stuck in my head all day! I saw it on tv like 2 days ago too. Also saw it on bigscreen at Sandvine Party at Center in the Square with Penn & Teller!

Why I Love Twitter!

why I love twitter:

• You can follow people you are interested in and learn more about them and find out what they are reading
• You are always on top of all news, and every new article and discussion as it appears
• If you demand satisfaction, more than likely you'll get it after one angry tweet
• If you are looking for something, people will find you and offer their services
• If you have a question or need something, people will retweet you if they like you
• You can randomly start singing a song and have several others you may not even be connected with continue your song back at you!