Any one can Net

2006-12-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Everyone can be an Internet server. Believe it or not. It takes far less machine to copy a file than it does to create it. And basically thats what a server is doing. It listens for requests from the net for a file, then it copies it out the proper port so that the other machine can receive it. That computer has to do the handling to properly display it. So it doesnt matter if its a web page, or a graphic, or a music file, video, whatever. It takes more machine to create it, or even to view it, than it does to serve it. It also takes far less bandwidth than most people think. If you think of it not as viewing it online, but as what it takes to copy it from one machine to another, then you will have more of a grasp on whats involved.

Again, the disclaimer. I am not saying this is the best way to do things. I am saying that its possible. If you are going to decide to do it or not to do it, then at least dont decide based on the wrong ideas about it. What is possible is that if you upgrade your computer to make fancier things for the net, then your old computer can become the server for those things.

If you host your stuff on some services machines, then dont be surprised if they do not want to show you or tell you anything about the machines you are on. You would be shocked at how many services would end up getting the response "**** my desktop is more than that". If their machines are far fancier than your desktop then chances are that its so that they can host thousands of you on that one machine. Your old throw-away computer can easily be 1/1000 of that machine. In fact, the computer in the closet that got upgraded because it wont run the latest greatest game can easily host a couple of dozen websites, and 100 email accounts, and host multiplayer games, IRC, forums, chats, wiki, etc etc. I know because Ive done it for 6 years now.

Even if you decide to build a machine to be a server, consider this..
You need a powerful CPU processor, and you need lots of memory. And thats about it. If you go to a computer store that can build you a machine, thats pretty much it. Of course you need a network card, and a graphic card, and a sound card, and a hard drive. But the minimum that a shop is willing to put into the machine is very likely to be more than you actually need. You do not need a monitor, or a keyboard, or a mouse. Most of the admin work will be done by connecting from your desktop machine and for the rare times that you need to work at the console then you can borrow those from your desktop or use old messed up ones (or use a KVM. Google it).

What about security? Well an amazing number of people now keep their desktops running all of the time, and have server software running (something that listens for requests from the net to answer it). No? You dont keep IM or Skype running all the time? No shared directories? No hosting a game or module? Well those machines have all the same security headaches, and the same answers. For just one of many solutions I mention Linux. I can now install a free Linux operating system and tell it on the setup that I want it to be a server. How is the security managed? The same as your windows machine. Automatic updates from home site for that operating system. And for problems? Well, Im a real good googler.

What about bandwidth? Yes there is a difference there. Most home connections offer more download bandwidth (what you can get) than upload bandwidth (what you can send). And that does impact serving. All I can say is try it and find out. Sending a webpage is not alot of bandwidth. Its just a text document being copied. And if you are heavy in graphics or music then you might want to see my other article about anyone-can-be-a-webiste for suggestions on splitting up a site to multiple services.

What about the number of people hitting a site? Yes of course thats a factor. Everything is. Im not so much talking to people who have 100 pages of website on their domain with 100's of people hitting it every minute. Im talking to "everyone can". Those big-site people might have been happier if they had considered this back when they were spending alot of money getting a site hosted that had a dozen pages and got 100 people in one day. I have a DSL connection thru my phone company. I have my WinXP desktop, my wife has her WinXP desktop, my son has his WinXP desktop, then I have my main debian linux server, and my old linux server. All of them are online thru that DSL.

What are some of the advantages? No limits for one thing. My servers started out as a test but now I cant imagine being without them. I can have as many email boxes as I want. I can store as much email, and recieve emails that are as large as I want. I can have as many web domains as I want using some special price offer to get another and have it pointed to my server. I can add anything I want to try to my webpages by adding some package for a wiki or a shopping cart or a web forum. I can host multi-player games (my favorites at the moment is Dominions 3 and Shadowdale MUD). I easily offer anything online such as pictures or files. I can offer email boxes or webspace to my friends.

Again let me say that I am not trying to pitch that everbody should do this. Im only saying that its possible. The reasons for not doing it, might not be what you thought they were. And some people out there might just be happy considering it. If your list of wants from your present web server is longer than they want to provide then maybe you are just beyond that type of service. Instead of shopping for a new service with pages and pages of must-haves, then you might want to test the idea of pulling that old computer out of the closet and putting it online. Chances are that you have already learned an amazing amout of what is needed to make this work for you.

Gandalf Parker

2006-12-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

Anyone can create a website. You would be surprised at how simple it is. Im talking about more than a webpage but less than a web server. Something with a theme.

You can get a domain name for as cheaply as $5/year (and even less). For that price why NOT have one? Now I mean JUST the domain name. Not one of the many "domain name plus hosting your web pages" packages that are out there. Those are for simplicity but you do NOT have to go that route. Once you have a domain name then you can "point it" at the site you choose to host your website. Those can also be as cheap, even free. Of course, as always I am NOT saying that this is the BEST way to do things. Im only pointing out the simplest, cheapest, it-can-be-done method.

You might find a site which offers you everything you want for your domain. If you do, then dont tell everyone and get it flooded out of existence. :) But chances are that you will find a site for very cheap which gives you some of what you want. You need to realize that not everything has to be offered by the same site. Your pages can link to anywhere on the net.

A) the service which handles the registry of your domain name and the internet pointers telling the internet where everything is, and probably the DNS service which keeps your domain online.
B) Main page. Simple and eye-catching.
C) Email for your website
D) forms such as guest books or contact forms
E) graphics, sound, downloadable files. Anything which might take up alot of bandwidth
F) a forum, or a wiki, or a blog
G) a shop where you might create/sell items that fit your theme
H) online live chats or online games

And many other items. NONE of those absolutely have to be offered by the same site. Possibly the site that hosts your main page is fantastic, but it has a heavy bandwidth charge. So you find a site to keep your pictures and music and files someplace else, then link to them.

Maybe you get mad at your present providor about the email service. Dont leave them and start searching the net for someone who will do everything you want perfectly. That would likely be a very long and frustrating search. (and please, no one start telling me of services they have that are perfect. Not everyones needs are the same so it still would amount to being perfect for you and not veryone else.) If you dont like their email service, then find another and have it handle the email for your domain. You are much more likely to find an email service that does everything you want than you are ar finding an internet hosting service that does everything you want.

I also know of many sites that have been saved by this "not putting all eggs in one basket" approach. Sometimes services go bad, or fail, or just plain disappear. Of course everyone should keep copies of everything on their own machines but still, a site can be recreated easier if only one piece of it fails than if the whole thing goes away suddenly.

Gandalf Parker

2006-12-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Anyone can have a web page. Lets make some statements just to get the general impressions out of the way.

A) It can be really cheap. There are even some great free sites. And many people already have a webpage space provided by their internet connection service.

B) Its not hard to do. Many places offer free templates that you can use as a started page. Or you can get some high school kid to do one for a burger.

C) For a buisness its becoming a must. And its not just for global markets. Its 24/7 advertising and an online "yellow pages" full-page ad. OK not everyone is as internet addicted as I am but many are and its growing so you should have SOMETHING for the people who look up even a
local repair man by using their computer instead of the phone book.

So what is a webpage? Well, if you are a buisness and have a buisness card then that can be a webpage. Scan it and have it pop up when people search on you. Even better if you have an ad or a flyer thats been professionally done. It has the best features. Simple and eye-catching but having the important information. Then you can expand on that such as having a button that goes to a map or a pricelist.

Or, think of a webpage as basically just another type of document. Use any word processor to type up what you want. Then go back and add the webstuff to make parts of the text larger or bold or colored or whatever.

Why a webpage? Why not? It can be anything you want. It can help people find you, or find information. I always say that you can find anything on the internet. But if you do a search and DONT find something, or you dont like what you find, then you found a need. Fill it. Thats what internet is all about. Form a community. No matter how off the wall or specific a subject is there will be a couple of hundred people on the net who are willing to jump in.

Gandalf Parker