MySQL/Host Question

[Dragn]

I've already been looking for over a month for a reliable host to create a forum on (which will probably be an Ikonboard), and so far I'm thinking about f2s and Netfirms.

What I wanted to know is if -don't flame for asking newbie question, can't help it either- it's recommended to use a database like MySQL when moderating a forum.
It's not required as far as I know, but as my site and the form might get deleted for some absurd reason at both hosts it'd probably be a good thing to have everything backed up on my comp
But that's just what I wanted to know, is it (apart from easier) safer to use a database? If it is I can drop Netfirms and go along with F2S. If only they weren't that slow

Unless you guys can recommend me another host...
+15 megs
Stable
Medium/fast speed
If possible, no ads, if not, only banners
Subdomain!
and CGI/MySQL of course...

Any suggestions?

[JustinSurfer]

after signing up give it a month or two for the server to settle down , but after that you have got the best free hosting with f2s i have had 100% uptime for the last 2 months

[Bruce]

yeah but f2s' database ain't big enough for a forum

[JustinSurfer]

if you consider users.f2s.com has phorum on it with 20,000 messages i should think it would be enough!

[niv]

phorum doesnt require a lot of tables. it's a stripped down version like that on boards.gamers.com. phrozen, are you talking about hosting vB/phpBB on f2s? then 5 mb is nowhere near sufficient.

[niv]

too bad spites.com went bye bye. they had your requested features.

[Bruce]

yeah, i was talking about a phpbb on f2s. i don't have to worry about that now though because i have paid hosting.

[Dedix]

i know a slovak host (www.host.sk), here you get unlimited space, php (3, 4), mysql, subdomain, and no ads of course
unfortunately, the mail function is disabled, but there is a solution, check out the following address

http://www.host.sk/mail-how-to.html