I was a nomad throughout 2009.  I moved from webhost to webhost, accumulating more code and data with each move.  I wasted countless hours during each migration; it had to stop.  I couldn’t afford to spend any more time looking for the perfect host.  I knew exactly what I wanted, but each host either couldn’t meet my needs, or they were just too expensive for an individual developer.  “If only I could run my own servers,” I grumbled.  “I just need to find a host that runs Windows servers at a reasonable price.”  Well, I never found the right host, and based on the many complaints that I saw on bulletin boards and Twitter, I wasn’t alone. 

No, I wasn’t the only one with issues, but it certainly felt that way with each of my webhosts.  I kept having problems, and they were common problems that every other customer must have had.  I became tired of submitting requests for help and then having to justify each of my requests.  If only I could communicate with the other customers.  It would have been great to say, “It’s the same problem that John’s having with his server.”

I sat down one day and outlined my needs in simple terms.  I wanted to run my own server, to have control and run the machine as an administrator.  I wanted to join a community where people like me could share tips and experiences.  I wanted a price that an individual could afford.  Luckily, I had formed a relationship with some great people at GoGrid, an enterprise-grade, cloud hosting company.  I explained what I wanted, and I told them that I’d even run the thing if they could help me make it happen.  To my surprise, that’s just what they did, and roughly a month later, Server Explorer was born.

Introducing Server Explorer

Server Explorer is a social network for all of the adventurous people who administer their own web servers.  Everyone is welcome, and people of all skill levels are encouraged to join.  Amateur server admins will feel comfortable learning and asking questions on the site, while professional administrators have an opportunity to share knowledge and market their services.

 

Server Explorer has partnered with GoGrid, and members may purchase their own GoGrid servers at a discount directly through the Server Explorer site.  Server Explorer is GoGrid’s Official .NET Developer Community.

Get Started

Everyone is invited to join Server Explorer.  Even if you’ve never managed a server in your life, if you have the interest, we can help.  There’s no reason to suffer with a bad host and pay for services that don’t meet your needs.  At just $24.99 per month, Server Explorer is a great value, and I guarantee you’ll be happy with the product.  I’ve been running GoGrid servers for well over a year, and I can’t say enough good things about them.

If you have any questions about the site or services, shoot me an e-mail at swhitley@whitleymedia.com.  I hope you’ll join me at Server Explorer.  I look forward to continuing the adventure.