Web host suggestions

[Wrent]

Looking for some suggestions for good web hosting services, or ones to really stay away from for whatever reason.

Also, any links to good beginner or novice help for creating your own webpage.

[Gesslar]

I really like my Myrmid.net host

http://www.myrmid.net

My other host is Canadian and I don't think people from Chicago are eligible.

[michii]

Absolutely do not use this one, Crosswinds.net. I had it for a few years and their servers blew and like lost all my files at least twice.. and they didn't have it backed up so all my stuff went poof for good. So when they decided to get new servers this year i just let my account crap out and switched to a new service.
Soo don't use them.

I haven't been using this new one long enough to recommend it yet, it's good so far but i've only had it for a month or two. (startlogic.com)

Also if you want a good place to start learning html and stuff, I highly reccomend www.htmlgoodies.com That's basically how i taught myself a good bit of it in back in highshool. So it's def
beginner friendly

Hope that helps some

[Alban]

I've been having good results with Network Solutions (networksolutions.com) - $10 per month, free domain name if you pay a year in advance.

For a larger website (i.e. a business), try Yahoo Small Business for $20 a month. Probably way more than you need for a personal website, however.

Both of these have plenty of conveniences like php, mysql, etc.

One to avoid: Minerva (minerva.net). Really annoying. When you ftp stuff, the connection drops after about ten seconds and you have to reconnect every single time.

[Gesslar]

Awesome places to get help:

HTMLdog
W3C FAQ

And, while not for beginners, per se, still a good site:
A List Apart

[Belaraiya]

Avoid Lifeless People (lifelesspeople.com)

Sure, the space is free and you get a whole bunch of bonuses and perks. What the deal is that you have to sign up for the forums, and every post you make gives you points. So you pay for your hosting by being an active foums member. Sounds all well and good, until you realize how many posts a day you have to make to meet the bare minimum to keep your hosting.

Oh, and if you get highly opinionated about a debated topic, and you happen to disagree with one of the mods, or their friends - say goodbye to your account. Mine's been locked and I have no back up for my site. You can't even access it from the adress, because they took it down after I was concidered "too highy opinionated, and tried to dominate a conversation"... okay, so I called someone a moron and asked him to pull his head out of his ass to get a better view of the subject *shuffles*