Currently I'm using a VPS from Network Solutions, they are running Fedora Core release 6. It's ancient and they are not going to upgrade it. I want a VPS with the latest, or at least not so old, OS releases. This will be for developing with Python, MySQL and Django. Any recommendations?
Thank you!
A few options are:
I personally recommend Linode. It has good value, good speed, low latency, and very little downtime (less than 2 hours in a year). Test and see which works best for you.
I recommend Media Temple. I've used them on and off for years and I haven't had any problems. I currently use their (ve) service running Ubuntu and I'm quite happy with it.
http://webbynode.com/ 9.99$ for a VPS.
Linode and Webbynode are great. Webbynode's ready-stacks got me up and running with Rails 3 on Ubuntu in no time, and their one line command-line git based gem handles pushing to the server, well, in one line! Check out their options for python. Linode on the other hand has a great library of supporting documentation on setup, frameworks, etc. And both of them seem to have great customer service.
I've had good experience with Knownhost (no real downtime that wasn't our fault in 3+ years). It's unmanaged, but when I've been unavailable to help my partner, they've helped a lot (in fact, I'm not doing anything with it and letting him/them manage it since I've pulled out of the business quite a bit).
I use servint for VPS and mediatemple for shared hosting. Mediatemple also provides VPS but I did not want to put all my eggs in the same basket.
HostGator VPS, so far, I've found to be very competent.
You might get better answers asking at Pro Webmasters, though. Some hosting questions there.
I've previously used Slicehost and had no complaints, but currently I use Xtraordinary Hosting because they give you a higher spec for the same amount of money.
Slicehost's servers are in St. Louis whereas Xtrahost's are in London, but to me it makes no real difference.