I have used many different hosting companies over the last few years in search of reliable cost effective hosting.  The only way to go these days is using a hosting company that uses LAMP, has a robust infrastructure, the ability to add on additional SQL databases and domains on the fly. I have a number of sites that have several SQL databases on 1 exiting url to serve my clients needs.

The company that I use primarily these days is Blue Host out of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Blue Host has very a strict TOS, no porn, no erotica, no online pharmacies, pretty good security, Simple Scripts and fantastic 24 hr technical support.

Now – some links explaining L.A.M.P

L.A.M.P – Linux Apache MySQL PHP

LAMP

LAMP Software Bundle

LAMP Server

Google Summer of Code

Google Codes – API

Open Source Overviews

Open Source

WiKiPedia Open Source Defined

Source Forge

Open Source Group Buys Microsoft Patents to Ward Off Patent Troll

Open Source Compared to Close Source Software

Open Source Applications I use quite a bit:

WordPress

Drupal

LINUX OS

LINUX Wikipedia

Ubuntu

GLP + GNU + Oopen Source (Open Software + licenses) -

GNU

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Meaning of Free Software

Creative Commons

Free Software Foundation

Linus Torvalds

Richard Stallman