BoonJin.com

I have been using Lunarpages as my web host since July 2007. I am using the Basic Hosting plan with a main domain with 2 other additional domains.

• Performance

Although the servers are located in US, accessing the server from Malaysia or Singapore is still fast. The latency is approximately 200ms and I can almost maximize my upload and download bandwidth when accessing the website. With a high-bandwidth Internet connection, I could upload the the server via FTP at 130KBps per connection with 7 connections (about 1 Megabyte per second).

• Up-time

I am not sure about the total percentage of up-time for the whole duration I am here. However, there is once I have experienced an outage for about 10 minutes. Currently, I am not monitoring the website accessibility 24/7 but might do so later.

Lunarpages might relocate the site to other servers if needs arise. For example, my site was shifted to a new server a few months back when they increased the web space and monthly bandwidth.

• Registration/Setting up

The registration process was quick and they required authentication for the payment. Before they proceed to confirm the order, they will call to your provided number and ask for additional details. They called me at around 3am at night due to my extremely different time-zone.

The domain and website was ready within 24 hours. Lunarpages emailed an in-depth guide on how to access the server, email, FTP etc.

• Features for Basic Hosting Plan

The amount of storage provided is 1,500 GB or 1.5 TB. This is more than enough to host several blogs/galleries and also back up several hard drives . When I registered last year, the storage space provided was only 350 MB but they have upgraded the storage and bandwidth without any extra charges.

The monthly bandwidth is capped at 15,000 GB or 15 TB per month.

A domain name is provided free for duration of the plan (as long as the bills are paid). Additional domains are currently at $7.95/per year.

Unlimited sub domains can be added for free. For example, boonjin.stylze.com.

Unlimited MySQL databases, FTP and Email accounts can be added.

There is also the Fantastico Script Library which is integrated into the control panel. With this, scripts can be installed with several clicks easily. This is useful to set up portals/CMS and blogs (Wordpress). Beginners would not need to worry about setting up the databases, file structure, access rights and other installation tasks.

• Cost

The cost per month is $6.95 for 24 months of Basic Hosting. For a 12 months hosting, the cost will be $7.95 per month. Currently, there is a Spring Special where by using the coupon, “spring” the Basic Hosting is only $4.95 per month (key in the coupon during registration). You can go to Lunarpages.com to obtain more information.

There are two coupon codes which are applicable to the 1-year subscription plan for the basic hosting. The coupon code “25OffHosting” will entitle you to 25 dollars off the total bill. For example, if you registered for the 1-year basic hosting with the coupon, the total payment will be 12*7.95 - 25= 95.4-25 = $70.40. Which comes to about only $5.87 per month.

The other coupon, “2FreeMonths” gives you two additional free months.

Note: The information used are based on the time of writing (29th April 2008). The currency referred in this post is US dollars.