Informations about DreamHost
This web site is hosted by DreamHost, one of the best web hosting services of the planet, at least in my opinion. What makes DreamHost so special? Here there are the features that made me choose it since 2003.
- PHP, CGI & MySQL database support, to freely add any kind of script and function in the site. This is made easier thanks also to the SSH access.
- Full .htaccess support, which allows to completely configure the way the web server behaves for the site.
- Bandwidth and disk space exponentially bigger than most similar offers by italian web hosting providers.
- Full email support with infinite POP3/IMAP mails freely definable, infinite aliases, autoresponders...
- Possibility to open mailing list for discussion or for announcements.
- Possibility to host for free infinite domains and sub-domains! In Italy to do the same you must pay a lot.
- Competent and fast techical support which always guarantees fast high level answers to any user question; also they offer an user forum, an extensive knowledge base and an useful blog!
- Continue improvements to the service with addition of new features.
The only drawback is that this service is located in USA and not in Italy, my country. Anyway thanks to their good connections it's hard to see the distance, nor on my light site, nor on biggest ones.
Are all these features really needed for a personal site?
Honestly... no, but I see this as an investment! DreamHost offers me many opportunities: it gives me a full and serious web presence, it allows me to give a personal email to my family members (xxx@favrin.net) but above all it let me to experiment and learn when and how much I want. DreamHost also gives me the possibility to use my service in the way I wish, without the restrictions usually imposed by free web hosting services.
Also anything that I learn at my home become an experience that I can use elsewhere, for example on Carpenedo's parish or Il Gomitolo.