Who do you recommend for…
I have been working as a tech in this field for 20+ years and have some trusted providers I work with and use myself, that I can recommend. I’m sharing them with you.
Web hosting and domain registration
Fused Network – David and his staff at Fused are Canadian and competent, two of my favourite things. I host my own websites with Fused and have moved several clients to them when their existing hosting has issues. They’ve agreed to offer any users I refer free migration (they move your site for free), audit the website for malware on arrival. These guys usually get back to me within the hour when I have questions or issues, so I recommend them without qualification. They are mid-range in terms of price, but the great service alone is worth paying slightly more for business users over low-value budget hosts. If you want Canadian data servers, let them know when you sign up so they can make sure that’s where your data goes.
Hostutopia – Also quite good, and affordably priced for sites not requiring more robust hosting like smaller information only sites is Hostutopia – I like them because they actually have at least one woman tech, who is excellent. This hosting company is also Canadian, and the people answering their phones last I called were in the Pacific Standard time zone in greater Vancouver, which is convenient. Their data servers are also Canadian last I checked.
Computer repairs / hardware setup
Make it Work, PC Galore and The Hackery – At the beginning of my career I did computer repairs and setup but I now specialize in different areas. Since then, I have referred several people to Vancouver-based Sarah Millin of Make IT Work Computer Solutions with good results. I also regularly take my own computer hardware to PC Galore (see below) and The Hackery for computer repairs and upgrades.
Data Disposal and Hardware Disposal
The Electronic Recycling Association (era.ca) is a not for profit organization that reuses and recycles unwanted electronic and IT equipment. They refurbish the equipment and donate it to charities and non profits. Notably they pick up old equipment and remove the data according to NAID standards complete with a data removal certificate. They are a Canadian nonprofit, with locations across Canada and even some in the US.
Affordable, environmentally friendly computer hardware with advice?
I have been buying computers from PC Galore in Vancouver for 20 years. Greg and his staff are competent, ethical and reliable and have a good selection of reusable computer equipment, which fits with my environmental values. I have regularly referred clients there over the years, and have always heard good things.
Photo by Tom Grünbauer on Unsplash
