I've heard good things about HostGator. I've also heard amazing things about 1&1 UNTIL there's a problem. Unless you get "LUCKY" there is virtually no customer support.
MediaTemple is expensive because it deserves to be. The biggest testament is when I called customer support and the guy remembered me. I don't call them that much, I don't consider it creepy, rather, I consider it as good and amazing customer service reps who are passionate to work with you. They will run tests on your servers, they will set up "hello world" apps on your ruby/python services to show you how its deployed, etc. They debug your code and notify you when you tax the system abnormally, instead of closing your account... etc. By the way, MediaTemple admin panel is amazing...
Though, for sake of bang for buck, I'd go with DreamHost or HostGator... or again, Team 2502 will host you on our MediaTemple service..
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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9
2010: Quarter Finalist (MN 10,000 Lakes)
2010: Website Award (MN 10,000 Lakes)
2009: Quarter Finalist (MN 10,000 Lakes)
2009: GM Industrial Award (MN 10,000 Lakes)