Internet hosting, domain names, and other queries...

[Invero]

Okay, so I'm jealous of all those folks out there who have thier own domain names for thier websites. I'm just curious how one would go about setting all that stuff up, and how much it would or should cost.

I've got a name picked out, it's available... but I have no clue how to go about doing it. There are all these hosting sites out there, with all different pricing structures and features, etc... Honestly, I have no clue what I need.

Basically... I want to have just a plain, regular website. But I also want to be able to post up pictures and videos and stuff. I have no clue about ASP, CGI, scripting, whatnot. (Oh, but I would like to be able to have submitting forms and stuff)

Any suggestions? Heeeeeeelp!

 

[Bobster]

Invero,

Getting a domain and setting up a very simple/basic web site up is pretty easy. When you purchase a hosting package, many include the domain name free when you sign up for a specific amount of time. You usually have to renew the domain every year however, which I like $15 a year.

For example, I use PowWeb.com as my host. It's super cheap and comes with a lot of disk space (1000 MB) for the price. Of course, you kind of get what you pay for, and my site is down occasionally ... and I'm limited on the number of queries I can send to my MYSQL database in an hour. But it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to host the site, so that's a trade off.

Most hosts come with preset scripts that you an use on your site. For example, a form emailer is usually a script included (user fills out a form on your site and it's emailed to you). You have to setup the form however.

Putting up a more complex site with picture galleries, video, message boards, etc. ... well it's more complex

If your looking for something that can give you a more complex but "out of the box" site, check out software like "PostNuke". PostNuke is a basic web site setup (software) and you can have a site up and running pretty quick ... and it's free. There are "add-ins" you can add to your site after like picture galleries, games, weather, etc.

Not all hosting sites welcome packages like PostNuke, as they some say they are resource hogs. Some hosting sites on the other hand welcome these packages. One such host is HostNuke.

There are other packages out there like PostNuke. Note however that I've never used PostNuke, HostNuke or any such packages. So I'm not really recommending them, just to let you know they exist. They seem to be popular, as I occasionally run into a site that uses such software.

Anyway, there are many options open to you. A lot of it however is based on what exactly you want to do. If you'd like to PM me with more details, I'd be more than happy to give you my thoughts.

 

[kal1484]

I currently use the pay one through Yahoo, but it's kinda expensive (8 per month). I just need extra widthband.

 

[maelstrom]

I use Netrillium (http://netrillium.net) for my domain. I can't say enough good things about them. They can register the domain name for you as well. Their hosting plans are reasonably priced and their customer service is excellent. I believe you get unlimited POP3 and forwarder emails (so you can give all your friends an email of them@yourdomain.com). Subdomains and MySQL databases. An easy to use control panel. They can also show the WhoIs info for your domain as theirs, so that your personal info (name, address, phone) doesn't show up on a WhoIs search for your domain. Lots of good things.

http://webcookie.net <-- my domain
http://disney.webcookie.net <-- Disney and other assorted pictures

DO NOT use 2mhost.com, they are the worst host I have ever been with. Their prices are cheap, and you get what you pay for.

 

[Lovecraft]

Maelstrom,

I have been toying with the idea of switching www.wraithnet.org to another hosting service. Netrillium looks pretty cool. How are they for speed? Do pages load speedily if they are generated using scripts? How about databse accesses are they slow or speedy?

Thanks for the recommendation,

Lovecraft

 

[maelstrom]

Originally posted by Lovecraft
Maelstrom,

I have been toying with the idea of switching www.wraithnet.org to another hosting service. Netrillium looks pretty cool. How are they for speed? Do pages load speedily if they are generated using scripts? How about databse accesses are they slow or speedy?

Thanks for the recommendation,

Lovecraft

Everything on my domain always loads quickly, despite my slow 56k connection. I only use MySQL for Moveable Type, which is a blogging tool. I fully recommend Netrillium. (Now I sound like I work for them, don't I?)