Free Host Startup questions

[EL_Tee]

Hi. I have been wanting to start a free host. I have a question though. Are they're any scripts that allow users Direct FTP access instead of web. HomeFree does not. Is Home Free the best? Also, how do you offer cgi, etc... If you have it on your server, your members get it? Sorry if I sound dumb but everyone needs to start somewhere right?

[Bruce]

Originally posted by EL_Tee
Are they're any scripts that allow users Direct FTP access instead of web.
You do not need a script. You need to set up and ftp server for tthat to be possible.


Is Home Free the best?
Some people think so, but there are also many other options too. Have a look around http://cgi.resourceindex.com or http://hotscripts.com


Also, how do you offer cgi, etc... If you have it on your server, your members get it?
If you have perl on your server, then yes, members can have access. Just be sure you give them the correct path.


Sorry if I sound dumb but everyone needs to start somewhere right?

Well yes, everyone does need to start somewhere, but it just doesn't see as though you are prepard enough to run a a FWP. I would consider doing some more research on the subject and then if you have any other questions ask then.

[Gayowulf]

there is a forum dedicated to starting your own webhosts. its at www.webhostingtalk.com

[Ted S]

EL_Tee -

Starting a free host is no simple, small ro cheap thing. Back in the early days anyone with the cash to buy the servers could have a host and make a profit. Now it takes a lot more -- it takes knowladge, time and lots of money.

Banner advertising has mostly died out and whats left makes almsot nothing or is very targeted. Free hosts have been hit harder than almost any other type of site since they are so untargeted and net such poor results.

Starting a free host is not a good way to make a few dollars, its a good way to loose a few dollars.

To make a deceent host you need mroe that just a script, Homefree, Webnow, etc.... are all great products but to make the most out of them you need to lock down your server, alter how things like ftp, cgi, php run to make them mroe secure and more user orientated. You also need bandwidth and not justa cable modem. You need a lot and none of it is cheap.

If you try and take the cheap route, your hosting service will fall or drive you into piles of debt so before you bother opening a host think about just why it is you want to do so.

[EL_Tee]

So why is it there are so many free hosts? How does it take a lot of money? The way I have my operation setup bandwidth and hosting is covered by the people joining. I figured out how much it will cost per member to pay for the hosting and badwidth, and the rest is profit from ad's. DoubleClick = On the stock market, and you say banner advertising is dead? FortuneCity and Tripod = Dead? What the hell are you talking about?

[niv]

Originally posted by EL_Tee
How does it take a lot of money?


You better believe it.


Originally posted by EL_Tee
The way I have my operation setup bandwidth and hosting is covered by the people joining. I figured out how much it will cost per member to pay for the hosting and ba[n]dwidth, and the rest is profit from ad's. DoubleClick = On the stock market, and you say banner advertising is dead? FortuneCity and Tripod = Dead? What the hell are you talking about?

Non-adult advertising IS dead. I think doubleclick pays by hits, not clickthru. Dunno, I'll have to check with my friend who works at dc. Doubleclick is still around because banner ads were actually worth something before. They probably switched to other forms of advertisment like pop-unders.

[EL_Tee]

Do you mean banner advertising is dead because no one clicks the banners, or it doesn't exist? How is valueclick still paying me for another one of my sites?

[martian]

Banner advertising doenst generate enough money to run a free webspace service