Options like Geocities

[Victoria7]

My site is currently hosted by Yahoo! Geocities, but I intend to move as a result of coming across their TOS and reading the copyright clause. I am highly considering FreeYellow.com, since it has a neat layout, enough space, and apparently an easy-to-use file manager. However, like most other free web hosts, they only allow you to upload 1 file at a time. For someone who changes their photo album monthly (9-12 photos on any given month), and who has 100's of files, this is not a great thing.

Does anyone have any advice about where to go? I'm looking for:

* A clean layout like Geocities'
* File manager with multiple upload (optional if everything else is good)
* Browser upload
* 15 MB or more
* Doesn't claim copyrights
* Allows *.zip files (optional)
* Preferably, not huge ads, or both top&foot banners, or multiple pop-ups in odd sizes...
* Good support
* Speedy uploads
* Low downtime
* Allows files like *.mid, *.wav, *.mp3, etc.

I know, I'm asking a lot...but Geocities seems to have lots of these features. I also definitely do not want a server that must approve every single file that goes through. I *also* would *prefer* a simple address.

Victoria7

[cowax]

Originally posted by Victoria7
However, like most other free web hosts, they only allow you to upload 1 file at a time. For someone who changes their photo album monthly (9-12 photos on any given month), and who has 100's of files, this is not a great thing.


Ever thought about using FTP? Using FTP is much easier to use than browser managers

[Unknownguy]

you are not going to find many places that allow you to use mp3s but try
http://www.worldzone.net
100 megs
Browser upload (i think)
can have zip file
fast
ads- not sure
good support
Fast
can use mid and wav files
http://www.tripod.com
50 megs
Browser upload (very fast)
.zip files
fastest host I have seen
ads- 1 pop-up of banner on every page
bad support
can use mid and wav files
_______________________________________
Tripod i know claims copy write but I am not sure about world-zone
also try looking here
http://www.freewebspace.net/cgi-bin/db2/db.cgi?sb=1&so=ascend&view_records=1&Language=English&Location=---&Browser=Browser&Space=%3E15&Basic=Basic&Adtype=---&Title=&mh=10

[coolguy23]

why do u want to leave geocities if you like them?....what copyright laws r u breaking?

[Zitech_Industries]

Originally posted by Victoria7
* Doesn't claim copyrights
That would most definetly NOT be Tripod. Try Virtual Ave or Hypermart, Spite may be good.

[Victoria7]

It's not that I'm breaking copyright laws; it's Geocities breaking mine! You see, in their TOS (Terms of Service), they have a little clause that states:

"Yahoo does not claim ownership of the Content you place on your Yahoo GeoCities Site. By submitting Content to Yahoo for inclusion on your Yahoo GeoCities Site, you grant Yahoo the world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your Yahoo GeoCities Site on Yahoo's Internet properties. This license exists only for as long as you continue to be a Yahoo GeoCities homesteader and shall be terminated at the time your Yahoo GeoCities Site is terminated."

Well...there was a boycott, back a year or two ago, about this. Actually, then, the entire clause was that they could take anything and everything from your page, and they would be able to own it and use it however they wanted to - no restrictions. They changed their TOS to this, but I still do not feel comfortable knowing that they can harvest my original site content without my permission. Today they say they do not intend to "harvest" content; what about tomorrow? Especially with the Internet and cyberspace, the phrase "...shall be terminated at the time your Yahoo! Geocities Site is terminated" could mean anything. (In other words, if they decide to take your site content, and keep it on their server, does it mean that your site has not been terminated with them?)

I personally feel that it is time for people to quit giving Yahoo! such a big monopoly in the Internet world. They've taken over WebRing, EGroups, and probably more free services, and they're expanding rapidly. Best not to condone such clauses that violate artists' and writers' copyrights.

Victoria7

[Victoria7]

Actually, the MP3 and ZIP files are optional; I just have some midis on my page that I would hate to take off.

WorldZone looks good; does anyone know how they stand up to other servers in terms of speed?

I have considered using FTP, but it apparently has more security holes than a normal browser upload. Plus, I'm more familiar with browser uploads.

Of course, if there is something that is particularly strong in most of these areas, but doesn't have a particular one (eg. it's got speed, browser upload, reliable server, but it has pop-up ads), don't hesitate to suggest it. I have searched the FWS.net databases, but haven't found much to my liking.

Thanks for all your suggestions! :)

Victoria7

[Coolin]

Originally posted by Victoria7
WorldZone looks good; does anyone know how they stand up to other servers in terms of speed?Worldzone is practically one of the fastest free webhosts ever in terms of speed. In terms of server reliability/speed, I think they are the best.

[LeX]

Originally posted by Victoria7
I have considered using FTP, but it apparently has more security holes than a normal browser upload. Plus, I'm more familiar with browser uploads.
Gee, I stopped using browser upload years ago... it's simply a complete waste of time to click on the "Browse" button, start your search from "My Documents", and choose your one single file and click "Open" and repeat the process for your next file. It gets on my nerves.

May I ask what security holes there are? I'd like to know, thanks...

[Bernd]

Well, I'd rather say that browser uploads have security holes - the same as any HTTP data transfer. Moreover, FTP provides you with a detailed log file, so you can check what the FTP has really done.

BTW, I recently accidentally signed up with Megspace, who didn't tell me in advance that they don't have FTP and I experienced for the first time how much browser uploads really suck (selecting files one by one) - not to mention the wasted online time.

[Rodie]

Originally posted by Victoria7

I have considered using FTP, but it apparently has more security holes than a normal browser upload. Plus, I'm more familiar with browser uploads.


I don't know where you've heard this, but it seems that the browser upload would be a lot more insecure. I don't know how it works exactly, but it probably uses CGI and some other components (since the http protocol isn't really intended for upload). CGI, in itself can be full of security holes if not protected carefully enough.

And if FTP just has security holes, then any server that you can also FTP into to upload your files will have those holes whether you use FTP uploading or not.

[Chicken]

Yes, Victoria7 had it backwards. FTP is generally safer than any script that writes to the server.

[Victoria7]

Mistake made on the FTP security...sorry. :) I don't know all that much about it, so I'm not speaking from experience here.

But I do think it would be harder to convert to FTP, especially since some free web hosts don't offer it - and particularly since I have enough programs running as is! :)

Who knows, maybe I'll leave my site on Geocities. It's easy...and Yahoo *probably* doesn't think my beautiful, original poetry worth enough to steal. :grin:

[Victoria7]

Ideally, browsers should offer multiple upload capabilities. I usually don't have to start searching in My Documents for every single file; it depends, of course, on the server. (I don't know how or if it is possible, but particular file managers force one to start back at My Documents, but others leave you wherever you are.) Geocities' upload is good, because you can select to upload a number of files all at the same time.

[LeX]

I still say FTP is way better than browser uploads. With FTP, you can select all the files you want into a queue from different directories, upload it all with simple click and drag, and you get to CHMOD your files. I have yet to see any File Managers that allows you to do that.

[Nick]

Originally posted by LeX
...and you get to CHMOD your files. I have yet to see any File Managers that allows you to do that.

Gossamer-Threads' file-manager does, Hypermart's does, WorldZone's did... Lots of them offer CHMOD, problem is most hosts with file managers don't offer CGI so you don't see it a lot.

[Albert]

Originally posted by Victoria7
It's not that I'm breaking copyright laws; it's Geocities breaking mine!
I never checked this topic with fortunecity and tripod. Are there similar conditions too?

[Victoria7]

Lycos's TOS:

"By submitting a web page to Tripod, Angelfire, or any other web page hosting service on the Lycos Network, you grant Lycos a world-wide, royalty-free, nonexclusive, worldwide, unrestricted license to use, copy, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, create compilations including, and distribute such web page, and any associated Content, for the limited purposes of publishing and promoting the user's web page in connection with the particular service with which the user has chosen to have the web page hosted and for publishing and promoting such web page elsewhere within the Lycos Network. Such license shall apply with respect to any form, media, or technology now known or later developed. The term of the license will extend only for the duration of the user's membership with the particular Lycos Network service (e.g., Tripod or Angelfire). In the event that such membership is terminated, Lycos will relinquish all rights to the user's Content as described above following the duration of any applicable promotional activities ongoing at the time the membership is terminated."

The Lycos company owns Tripod, Angelfire, HTMLGear, Gamesville.com, Lycos.com, quote.com, ragingbull.com, wired.com, hotbot.com, whowhere.com, sonique.com, hotwired.com, webmonkey.com, lycoszone.com, animationexpress.com, and matchmaker.com. (That's a lot of sites there!)

For FortuneCity, here is a portion from the TOS:

"By submitting a web page to FortuneCity or any other web page hosting service on The FortuneCity Network, you grant FortuneCity a royalty-free, nonexclusive, worldwide, unrestricted license to use, copy, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, create compilations including, and distribute such web page, and any associated Content, for the limited purposes of publishing and promoting the user's web page in connection with the particular service with which the user has chosen to have the web page hosted and for publishing and promoting such web page elsewhere within the FortuneCity Network. Such license shall apply with respect to any form, media, or technology now known or later developed. This term will extend only for the duration of the user's membership with the particular FortuneCity service. In the event that such membership is terminated, FortuneCity will relinquish all rights to the user's Content following the duration of any applicable promotional activities ongoing at the time the membership is terminated."

As far as I can tell, most of these sites now only claim the rights to your site as long as you are a member. Yahoo!, back in 1999, was one of the only ones (I believe) that claimed a copyright so broad that there was a boycott. They have revised their TOS to essentially the same limits as those of Tripod, Lycos, and Fortunecity. Still, I find it something to be wary of. It's certainly not going to help these companies if they happen to get sued, so I wonder why they would place such clauses in their TOS.

[LeX]

Originally posted by Nick

Originally posted by LeX
...and you get to CHMOD your files. I have yet to see any File Managers that allows you to do that.

Gossamer-Threads' file-manager does, Hypermart's does, WorldZone's did... Lots of them offer CHMOD, problem is most hosts with file managers don't offer CGI so you don't see it a lot.
Really? I didn't know that... well, partially because I never touch those file managers, and I haven't had any experiences with WorldZone or Hypermart or Goss-whatcha-call-ems.

[Victoria7]

So how does WorldZone work out, for you who have or do use it?

[Nick]

Originally posted by Victoria7
So how does WorldZone work out, for you who have or do use it?

It's FAST, browser upload only, online manager, SSI available, bottom banner. Pretty good deal for a tiny personal site if you dont mind the file manger deal.

[Victoria7]

I probably won't be using FTP for a while, if I ever do, so the file manager/browser upload is fine with me. Does it allow CHMOD or multiple file upload, though? I've been looking over my new account at FreeYellow, and it has browser upload, FTP, site manager, subdomain URL, allows users to password-protect files, 50MB, stats, and CHMOD.

I'm definitely leaning towards FreeYellow. I'm curious, though, about peoples' opinions about pop-up banners. (Sure, we all hate 'em, but on a scale of 1-10...)

Addition: What do you mean by 'tiny'? I have a relatively large personal site, with a great deal of graphics.

***
http://www.geocities.com/grandanor1/
Grandanor: Remembering the Romanovs

[Edited by Victoria7 on 02-25-2001 at 04:43 PM]

[Albert]

Originally posted by Nick

Originally posted by Victoria7
So how does WorldZone work out, for you who have or do use it?

It's FAST, browser upload only, online manager, SSI available, bottom banner. Pretty good deal for a tiny personal site if you dont mind the file manger deal.

Nothing to add. If worldzone would allow ftp, it would be my choice for a FWP, but you can forget it with lots of small files.

[Albert]

Originally posted by Victoria7
I probably won't be using FTP for a while, if I ever do, so the file manager/browser upload is fine with me. Does it allow CHMOD or multiple file upload, though?

What's the problem to register and make a small testpage? I read a lot in this forum and I know there is good advice for a start, but at least you have to try yourself. Nobody knows your personal needs really. WZ has multiple file upload, but I don't know if you can do chmod.

What do you want to do with chmod?

[Nick]

Originally posted by Victoria7
Addition: What do you mean by 'tiny'? I have a relatively large personal site, with a great deal of graphics.


As in not hundreds of files because uploading through browser with hundreds of files is annoying.

[Webdude]

If your talking chmod, then you need cgi abilities. I had a seperate editor for giving access to a certain directory in your account like a cgi-bin, but stopped giving accounts thru it due to cracker heads abusing the security holes. However, Worldzone uses SuEXEC, so even a chmod of 700 will work for a script. I believe the current editor chmods everything 755, but it wont upload in ASCII mode.