Shared hosting or cheap VPS?

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(10-18-2011 03:30 PM)ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:  For start up forums, personally, if I didn't have existing servers, I'd go with free hosting and "free domain name".  Don't believe the bullshit that idiots on the MyBB community (most of whom can't run a decent forum themselves) spread about avoiding anything free; unless you're targeting webmasters, or you're trying to sell stuff, your visitors really won't give a damn about the hosting.  Though do take some time to ensure that the free host is reasonably reliable (it doesn't have to be exceptionally great, just reasonable most of the time).
I started out on free hosting using the free subdomain provided by the host.  Only moved to paid hosting after the board accumulated 10k posts, and only because I was exceeding the limits of free hosting.  If the forum had failed, I would've lost nothing but the time I invested.

Finally....
At least I know now that there are people (MyBB users (at least you)) who do not mock those who use a free host and/or a free domain as a start/hobby/getting experience/small forum, like me.

Thank you very very much for your opinion and experience sharing, Yumi
It's really really helpful for me