To see what the fuss was about I setup an account with the Host-Blaze folks.
Think of it as a walled-garden, with really high walls ;-)
It's so-so. I had to resort to use a GUI FTP program like FileZilla so I could do recursive file transfers.
I have two servers. One hosted at AllGamers LLC and Host-Blaze. I spend a little more at AllGamers but I get a shell with them.
I'm a Unix guy by trade so I prefer the shell access so I can manipulate files in the game rather than have to copy every bloody file up.
If you want a real cheap but satisfying server, use Blaze-Host. If you want a lot more control and are familiar with the shell, insist upon getting a host service that provides a shell.
Rating them, I give AllGamer 9/10
Pro: Shell access, good network connection, fast CPU, McMyAdmin service.
Con: $$$. Each 512Mb costs $10.
and Host-Blaze 7/10
Pro: Cheap, good network, so-so CPU.
Con: No shell, weak GUI for administration (no McMyAdmin)
You and your friends should be fine at Host-Blaze. Good luck.
Yes, "pass the hat" means to get your buddies to chip in and help pay for the server. A couple bucks each ! ;-)