Lycos UK - The Consumers Complaint List-In the Public Domain

During my short experience with Lycos/Tripod UK free webhosting, I have had numerous problems. They give you php and MySQL, so when I install a messageboard system, I find that I have to go modify some code to avoid getting redirected to the main Tripod UK page everytime I post a message.

Their support system is terrible - they only have an online forum that is hardly ever checked on by the admin - people post complaints and nobody from Lycos UK ever responds.

They have frequent problems (FTP server down, MySQL database down) and they never even post alerts that they're having problems. I finally gave up and went and found a nice paid host for my board because the service at Lycos UK was terrible.

I do not recommend them at all. I have a website with the US Tripod and they are much better, although they don't offer MySQL or PHP. I feel that Lycos is doing a dis-service to all the people who sign up thinking they can get good free webhosting with that company.

When I had problems, I posted on the forums, but never got a response from the admin. They don't have a support email address, and appear to have no desire to help those who have problems.

Editorial Comments

I have a horrible feeling that all this is going to push Lycos into a pay only service (its people abusing the free service that are causing most of the problems). The fact is like it or not lycos is one of the best free hosts around (in terms of space and things they offer).

I've just had to shift hosts as the last host I was at gave an eviction notice to everyone on one of their servers (where my site was hosted). Personally I'm O.K with the fact that Lycos are sorting stuff out and am happy to wait a few days before updating my site if it'll help in the long run (my site is more of a hobby than a serious thing hence using lycos's free server)

I notice that you mention forums. Every board software community I have been in and around (quite a few) have gumbled at people whining about how their free host doesn't support the board and all of these people got flamed because the fact of the matter is the hosts are free - YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR (also most of the compatability problems can be solved with a few simple mods that even I managed to install).

Just let the technitions work and if you don't like it then pay for you hosting and free up your account for the thousands queing up behind you to join Lycos. ScreenCaps.TK ... 17 May 2003