vps recommendation wanted

[Greg Rundlett]

I recently signed up for a Virtual Private Server (VPS) dedicated Linux 
'root server' through 1and1.com.

I find that their setup is underwhelming.  For example:

    * no c compiler (how am I supposed to install stuff?  I guess the
      first thing to install is a compiler)
    * mysql is version 3.23.58
    * security updates are handled through ftp, only from the server,
      without any detail about the process
    * There are two disconnected, but somewhat overlapping
      administration interfaces, which both are pure misery to use.  One
      of these controls the 'account' and the other (Plesk 'Reloaded'
      v7.5) is to manage the server/services/applications etc...  I
      thought from rumor Plesk would be powerful, but in actual
      experience it pales in comparison to something like webmin at
      actually managing a remote server through a browser.
    * They advertise a 'siteCreator' tool that would make it easy to
      resell hosting for small businesses, but fail to mention that it
      doesn't come with a root server.
    * Their FAQs and documentation are awful....simplistic, long on
      marketing, disclaimers, and generally useless information like
      'What is the Internet for?', lacking concrete examples, etc.


I could go on, but you get the picture.  I'm stuck with what they offer 
at the moment.  But I'm wondering what other VPS providers people might 
have experience with, and/or recommend.  I've seen 
http://www.tektonic.net/ recommended by a person who uses them, and 
indeed they seem to have a better offering than 1and1.com.


-- 
Greg Rundlett
www.rundlett.com
www.freephile.com

randomly selected fortune:

I worked in a health food store once.  A guy came in and asked me,
"If I melt dry ice, can I take a bath without getting wet?"
		-- Steven Wright