Domain hosting and smf setup questions.

[DaddyFish]

OK... so I'm a new charter member now. Weeee!

I'd like to setup smf on a new domain.  I have to yet decide on a domain name or hosting and was looking for suggestions.  I have tried iPage only to find that their hosting does not include root-writeable access on their "one-click" iforum installs unless I choose a VPS plan...which I did.... but long story short, I've dropped them before even completing after chatting with cust service.

Does smf offer any solution(s) and if so, how much?  I'd like to keep everything centralized.

The ultimate goal is a "seniors" forum, with a live chat and payment mod for membership and/or donations.  Maybe others, but hence the need to chmod 777 when installing packages.  Coffee is on me.  Thanks!

-DF

[Oldiesmann]

Try the Paid Hosts and Hosting board for suggestions on hosting.

For domains, name.com and namecheap.com are both good choices.

[JBlaze]

Stay away from anything offered by GoDaddy...

[Ninja ZX-10RR]

Stay away from anything offered by GoDaddy...

I've heard that they are good for domains but to be avoided like plague as regards hosting.
Also CoreISP's Graywebhost is cheap and I guess efficient since he is a server team member. (I hope so since I will be moving there!!!)

[ARG01]

If history repeats itself I will probably be banished from the kingdom for saying this but, I host all of my domains at GoDaddy and my sites at HostGator.
GD for domain price and HG for hosting price, performance and service. I have never had an issue with either concerning the services provided. I have also never experienced any downtime with HG in the 10 years that I have been hosting there.

[Ninja ZX-10RR]

Like I said, they are good for domains but freaking terrible about hosting. (GD)

[DaddyFish]

Holy Carp!  I never expected such a fast response and by so many!  Thank You! 

I've had run-ins with GoDaddy in the past - mainly with hosting.  So yes, I avoid them like the plague also.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.  I'm off to explore a bit now.  Again, if I haven't said it enough already, SMF has been the BEST forum EVER.

SMF rules... phpBB drools.

50 bucks well spent.  Thanks gang