Where can I host my code?

December 23, 2005 7:03 AM

I need recommendations for a web host for serious (personal/hobby) coding. Everything I've seen so far requires compromises between flexibility and affordability.

I'd like the following features, in rough order of importance :

      * customizable Java build and runtime environment

      * servlet container (e.g. Tomcat)

      * remote CVS with full, guaranteed backups (preferably incremental)

      * good uptime (> 99%)

      * under $50 a month

      * ssh access

      * some kind of database

I've looked at dedicated hosting plans but don't want to spend $100 a month for a box. The best I've come across so far is a virtual host like unixshell but I don't have a feel for the performance they offer, nor does it seem like they provide a secure way to store a codebase.

Am I asking too much?

posted by ny_scotsman to computers & internet (13 comments total)

TextDrive is very flexible, and while they're not quite there with the uptime yet (i know, i know), they are working on it, and last I saw, the statistics work out to 98% for the worst of their servers.

Check the forums out, and ask some questions about your specific requirements.
posted by odinsdream at 7:07 AM on December 23, 2005

The forums over at webhostingtalk.com would be helpful to you. In fact, you can put up your requirements and let hosting companies bid for your business.
posted by SteveInMaine at 7:16 AM on December 23, 2005

odinsdream : Thanks, I looked at them, but they don't allow development nor Java.

To clarify what I'm trying to do; I'm looking for a way to set up a development environment I can use to work on projects (mostly HTTP based) no matter which computer I'm using, and to have all backup worries taken care of. Ideally, I'd code locally, commit to the remote repository, and do a remote build and deploy.
posted by ny_scotsman at 7:34 AM on December 23, 2005

I'd look for a lot higher than 99% uptime. That's 3 1/2 days of unscheduled downtime per year.
posted by I Love Tacos at 7:37 AM on December 23, 2005

Ah. Well if you're interested in doing that kind of development, you probably aren't going to find any shared-hosting that allows it. Maybe a few companies would overlook it, as TextDrive did, and sometimes still does, but what you really want is dedicated hosting - which definitely isn't going to fulfill your price requirement.
posted by odinsdream at 8:05 AM on December 23, 2005

This recent question on cheap hosts that give you root access may be of use. Being able to install your own software is probably the best way of getting the development environment you want. (And, as it says, if you have broadband, rolling your own box might be even better.)
posted by Zed_Lopez at 8:25 AM on December 23, 2005

Dammit, I searched for this topic over the weekend, then decided to post today... that'll teach me. At least I get the excuse of being distracted due to having to walk to work each damn day thanks to the MTA.

Anyhow, it sounds like if I handle backups myself then a VPS like rimu or linode will get me decent capacity and all the functionality for about $30 a month.

Thanks all (and all)!
posted by ny_scotsman at 8:44 AM on December 23, 2005

Textdrive _is_ great. But there's no java on their shared accounts.
posted by rschroed at 10:12 AM on December 23, 2005

Rimu specifically says they're aimed at Java development, so you'll definitely want to check them out. See also my ranting and raving in their favor in aforementioned thread :)
posted by cyrusdogstar at 10:25 AM on December 23, 2005

mycgiserver is a good free service that supports java servlets.
posted by riverouse at 11:21 AM on December 23, 2005

I recently (3 months or so) moved my java web apps to rimu. So far everything has been VERY good. I'd recommend them.
posted by rglasmann at 11:51 AM on December 23, 2005

I think I'll give rimu a shot. Before I click the button though, does anybody have positive experience with DEHE?
posted by ny_scotsman at 3:02 PM on December 23, 2005

I recommend Liquid Web. They've had some problems in the past, but they're running their own data center now with an excellent backup system and connectivity to multiple backbones.

As a disclaimer, I used to work for them. They've got some real smart guys doing support/admin over there. They all run Linux/BSD on their home systems and they're not reading from scripts. Support is available 24/7.

They allow development on their shared systems, last I checked. I was the one who setup their Tomcat servers, but I don't know if they're still offering that service.

The only thing I'm not sure about is remote CVS access.
posted by formless at 5:59 PM on December 26, 2005