hosting suggestion

bliss322

i'm looking for a low cost host (php/mysql).

right now i'd be hosting just one domain.

any suggestions on who you're hosting with?

unless, of course, some kind soul wants to offer up some free hosting with php/mysql for a small community site 😃

benkillin

mg2.org

piersk

I host my own site. Just get broadband, get a computer doesn't have to be a server, can just be a desktop. Friends Reunited started off on a laptop. Install a webserver (I recommend Apache or IIS) and away you go!

Now, if my calculations are correct, apart from the broadband (which I share with my housemates anyway) that makes my hosting completely free (ok, so I did get given the server, but any desktop will do).

drawmack

too many headaches hosting your own, besides you need broadband with a static IP.

check these guys out

http://www.lenzmultimedia.com

benkillin

you dont need a static IP, dyndns.org

rpanning

I also host my own site with a dynamic IP via DNS2Go. For hosting I would check out iPower Web.

BuzzLY

I currently use vervehosting, for $10 per month. Forego a soda per day, and you can afford it.

You might also try glob@t -- they have the cheapest prices for the most storage / bandwidth I have seen. The only reason I'm not switching is because the small savings I'll see isn't worth the headache of transferring my databases over just yet.

jebster

http://www.bounceweb.com/ Look pretty good! Haven't tried them tho!

bliss322

piersk, I DO have a web server running at home, and actually it's working great, except for the whole mail server thing, which i've never got successfully running.

anyone got suggestions on setting up a mail server, then?

i was using sendmail but my emails kept getting bounced from roadrunner saying i was "blacklisted" or something

goldbug

http://www.globat.com baybeeee

piersk

Bliss322, I had that problem, but then I set up my MX record and the problem was solved. A lot of anti-spam software does a reverse lookup on the domain that the mail comes from and if there isn't an MX record then it will reject it. Have a look at Freeparking. They let you have complete control of your domain record, including as many MX records and sub-domains as you want.

bliss322

piersk,

thanks, i use easydsn.com and they have a place on the site to add new MX records. do i need to to do anything on my server to facilitate the MX record?

also, when they ask the MX record name, is that just my domain name?

stolzyboy

www.olm.net

_ed

I think http://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ is quite good.

planetsim

piersk you didnt mention all the other nit bits that would be required when hosting your own site on your own computer using Broadband

1) Your connection will be much slower (depending on how many visitors you are getting)

2) You will need to patch your system when a new patch comes avaliable

3) Software firewalls are great but you will also need a hardware firewall.

4) You should ask permission from your ISP before doing this, as they may disallow this and stop the service.

5) Depending on who visitors your site, your chance of being hacked goes up. Quite a bit. Needless to say once your online your always a potential target.

piersk

Originally posted by planetsim
1) Your connection will be much slower (depending on how many visitors you are getting)

I've had about 500 hits this month (ok, not many, but thats just under 100 per day) and neither I nor my housemates have noticed any change.

2) You will need to patch your system when a new patch comes avaliable

I have to do this with my PC anyway. It's no big deal to update my server too.

3) Software firewalls are great but you will also need a hardware firewall.

I have a router which provides NAT (I only have ports 25, 80 and 21 open) and I'm running a firewall on the server. Also, I don't run a hugely interesting site, so I don't think people are going to be that concerned. And I have up to date anti-virus software.

4) You should ask permission from your ISP before doing this, as they may disallow this and stop the service.

My ISP allows this. Yeah you should check, but I don't see how they can find out and stop you if you don't have much traffic coming and going.

5) Depending on who visitors your site, your chance of being hacked goes up. Quite a bit. Needless to say once your online your always a potential target.

Haven't you already asked this? See my answer to point 3.

bliss322

well,

i set up qmail and it's running, yeah!

only problem, this goes to the isp conversation, roadrunner has an email policy of blocking any email coming from a residential ip.

http://security.rr.com/residential.htm

that sux

piersk

What exactly do Road Runner do? Are they your ISP?

goldbug

Originally posted by bliss322
well,

i set up qmail and it's running, yeah!

only problem, this goes to the isp conversation, roadrunner has an email policy of blocking any email coming from a residential ip.

http://security.rr.com/residential.htm

that sux

They don't block everyone's mail ports 🙂

Chaotic_Reality

What kinda space/bandwidth are you looking for? I could probably host you for $5/mo with a few MySQL databases, email, and all that (depending on space/bandwidth). Send me a pm if you want.