Fasthosts timewasters
Update: Jean-Paul from FireCast has emailed to say that Fasthosts now do support htaccess files. Bear in mind that this article is now over four years old, so you’d hope there’d be some improvement. However, given all of Fasthosts’ other problems (poor security and customer service to name two) I’d still not recommend them.
Who would I recommend? Give Bytemark a look (I’m not on commission, by the way, just a satisfied customer.)
If you are planning on running any decent web site with scripts that benefit from allowing access to the .htaccess file, in order to do such things as rewrites, redirects and such like, forget using Fasthosts dot co dot uk (no, they’re not getting a link).
Although they claim to provide professional Linux hosting, they prohibit the use of .htaccess files except for their password protection. This is not stated anywhere.
So, I install Wordpress, set up the templates, etc. and then change the permalinks. Wordpress thinks it’s set up htaccess, and indeed it has – but the server doesn’t recognise it as the local override switch is not set.
And it probably never will be.
Fasthosts would rather hold your hand with a crappy sitebuilder script (that you have to pay for any more than three pages, despite it supposedly being included with your package) than allow you direct access. Oh sure, you get ssh access, but you can barely to anything but cd, ls and chmod. Big deal.
So, I either have to run Wordpress without mod-rewrite (and have ugly URLs like index.php/2005/10/10/my-article, or p=25) or I leave FH and run to a better provider (which isn’t difficult)
Fortunately, they had a month’s free trial, so I should be able to close pretty easily. However, it’s already wasted me 4 days and about 10 hours of work, so I’m not best pleased. Given how much they charge, they aren’t the cheapest, and their service is substandard.
It’s the first service I’ve come across claiming to be “professional” that doesn’t allow access to (IMO) basic pro-webmaster services. Who doesn’t give access to .htaccess? Well, Fasthosts don’t.
If you are wanting to build your own systems from scratch, don’t use this company. They’ll charge you for basic add-ons that other providers give for free. They tell you that things are included in your account, but only the very basic versions are, and the rest are add-ons that cost.
I now have to go and set up a new host, wait for the DNS change, set up the scripts again, which will take another couple of days.
So, thanks Fasthosts, you’ve cost me nearly a week, and I’d hoped to have my site running with articles by now.
Don’t expect any recommendations from me.
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June 24th, 2005 at 2:50 am
Now THAT’s annoying. Why disable such a basic (and useful) part of Unix-based hosting?
June 24th, 2005 at 9:07 am
Sure is. They only allow .htaccess for setting up password protected pages. Big deal…
Anyway I got my money back, and went to TextDrive instead, where I can host 3 domains with up to 6 MySQL databases, for pretty much the same cost as Fasthosts!
By contrast, their service is really good, and there’s a huge amount you can setup and alter – almost to the other extreme!
The only thing you have to be sure of is that you can alter the DNS records on your domain name – some registrars might kick up a fust about this, but fortunately I registered with a company that gives complete control (ironically, it’s linked to Fasthosts!)
October 21st, 2007 at 1:10 am
I have just been uploading some test files to assess the spec of the server. Have had 500 errors when trying to set php include directory in .htaccess.
I can use rewrite within cakephp, it is working right out of the zip – linux professional
frustrating
November 28th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I have encountered similar problems, however Fasthosts now provide PHP5 hosting which allows the .htaccess file to be used as required by CakePHP (i.e. using mod_rewrite).
The only catch is apparently the server allocation (older systems with PHP4 and newer with PHP5) is semi-random due to the load balancing system, so it could be hit and miss when you actually add a domain.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I used to use Fasthosts too but likewise got fed up of their draconian business model. Switched to HeartInternet which is costing me less than £40 a month for unlimited everything and no nonsense like hidden “extras”.
Great for bloggers too, with Wordpress being a one click setup.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Lots of fasthosts news here http://fasthostshell.blogspot.com/ yet more reasons to use a quality hosting provider.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Never be tempted to use Fasthosts.
They are rubbish in everything they do.
Whether it is just for one basic site, or like us a reseller with many, do not go near them.
They will be more trouble than they are worth, with slow servers, bad idiotic support and terrible attitude to customer retention. Don’t do it
September 25th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Today I setup an account with fasthousts beofre realising the problems that you have highlighted in this blog.
I tried to cancel and they have told me that I can’t, I am sure this is against my rights as I should have 7 days to cancel. They said that as it was a ’special offer’ that I am stuck in contract until 2009!!!
My bank cannot cancel the recurring payment so I am stuck with the thieves taking my money for a service that does not support anything including wordpress! Any ideas??
My only advise is to avoid them like the plague.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I have just had the same experience. I assumed if I wasn’t satisfied (which happened on first day but that’s along story)that I’d be able to cancel but they say not because the 30 day free trial doesn’t apply to this offer. Like you, I assumed my normal rights would apply. It smacks of the tactics used by mobile phone companies. I’m going to check consumer organisations to see what we can do. At present I’m claiming mis-selling because it wasn’t made clear to me. Will keep you posted
October 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
What a bunch of cowboys, I used to work for them.
Their system is totally floored
!!DO NOT USE FASTHOSTS EVER!!
They had a massive security breach and put together a promotion “change you password and win and xbox” or PS3 im not sure quite which one it was.
!!EVERYONES ACCOUNT DETAILS WERE HACKED!!
Working there, I was so so limited as to what i could help customers with. It was all about quick turn around.
They force their staff to turn over a minimum of 55-60 calls or tickets a day. That gives hardly any time per call if you are stuck taking calls all day, causing the level of service to drop HUGELY.
The focus should be on customer service, not seeing how quick you can get someone off the phone bamboozled!!
Their entire pricing structure is full of sneaky clauses, hidden charges. Even parts of the control panel will try to make you accidentally pay for more than you wanted. EG DOMAIN REGISTRATION THEY AUTOMATICALLY SET THE REG TO 2 YEARS!!
The majority of frontline staff do not have a clue about how to manage a server, what half the services are and i GUARANTEE they will do their upmost not to help you if possible.
!!PLEASE PEOPLE DO NOT USE!!
October 7th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
OK, so for someone planning to resell web hosting services who do the professional web developers amongst you recommend using (for both Linux & Windows hosting)?
October 8th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
They have caved into pressure and finally accepted that I am entitled to a refund (they said they hadn’t realised I only signed up the day before i cancelled even though i made that clear in my complaint). So for me a happy(ish) ending but i have to wonder how many people out there have been spun the same line and not fought back.
Have just signed up with streamline so hope they’re better!
October 8th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
They have caved into pressure and finally accepted that I am entitled to a refund (they said they hadn’t realised I only signed up the day before i cancelled even though i made that clear in my complaint).
So for me a happy(ish) ending but i have to wonder how many people out there have been spun the same line and not fought back.
Have just signed up with streamline so hope they’re better!
December 10th, 2008 at 2:05 am
I have been trying to run a web site with fasthosts: http://soundproofingforum.co.uk/
The .htaccess is very annoying, has anyone any recommendations for better host services at a similar price (£3.95 a month at present)?
December 10th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
We are a successful web company, with many lower level sites on Fasthosts.
It is the worst decision we ever made and would love to find the time to move our 200+ sites.
They are disastrous.
Never choose Fasthosts.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Shit, I wish I would have found all this before I signed up and slaved ot move four large websites over to my reseller account with them.
Already running into problems setting up a .htaccess file. Called tech support and it seems I knew more than the poor guy I was talking to so he just hung up on me! Called back, sat on hold for 13 minutes before I just gave up.
I have a one year free deal with them and when I went to their website to see what their cancellation policy is I found this, “Accounts can be cancelled <–(misspelled!)by the customer by following our cancelation (misspelled!)process as detailed in our Terms of Service.” So, I went to their million pages of terms and conditions and did a SEARCH for just cancellation and it brought back NOTHING. There is nothing regarding their cancellation policy that I could find! It’s wonderful that they have misspelled words in what is supposed to be a legally binding agreement as well…….
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I have had the exact same problems with fasthosts. Nothing works.
I called before I signed up, and was told the features I needed were supported, they’re not.
The following morning after sign up I called to cancel, only to be told I was tied to a contract for the next 12 months and the 30 day money back offer didn’t apply.
I told them they had mis-sold the package, and I was entitled to a refund. The very unfriendly ‘customer services’ advisor said I wasn’t and hung up.
I called back and was given an email address to take things further, and despite numerous emails have had no reply.
So.. I’m stuck with a website that doesn’t work, and a bill of £200
NEVER CHOOSE FASTHOSTS !