With personal Internet connections getting faster every day, I think it's time people start using them more, rather that relying on hosting services provided by others.
For example, there are thousands of "host your files here" services which encourage users to upload their files to a web server online and provide a link for others to download. Most of these services are either plastered with advertising or require payment of some sort.
So, why do so many people do this when they can host the files directly from their computer?
Here are my thoughts:
1. Many people don’t realize that any personal computer can operate like other web servers on the internet.
2. Setting up a web server can be difficult.
3. Need to either remember an IP address or use an additional service to link a name to an IP address.
4. IP addresses are often dynamically provided by the ISP making connecting difficult.
With these problems in mind I have been developing a solution. MyDiskServer is a Java web start application, which turns any computer into a personal web server with a single click. Upon registering an identity, MyDiskServer performs network testing and IP address management and makes it easy to add user accounts and specify files to share. I'm currently testing the service and would love to hear what people think.
More information available at:
http://hostyourself.net
For example, there are thousands of "host your files here" services which encourage users to upload their files to a web server online and provide a link for others to download. Most of these services are either plastered with advertising or require payment of some sort.
So, why do so many people do this when they can host the files directly from their computer?
Here are my thoughts:
1. Many people don’t realize that any personal computer can operate like other web servers on the internet.
2. Setting up a web server can be difficult.
3. Need to either remember an IP address or use an additional service to link a name to an IP address.
4. IP addresses are often dynamically provided by the ISP making connecting difficult.
With these problems in mind I have been developing a solution. MyDiskServer is a Java web start application, which turns any computer into a personal web server with a single click. Upon registering an identity, MyDiskServer performs network testing and IP address management and makes it easy to add user accounts and specify files to share. I'm currently testing the service and would love to hear what people think.
More information available at:
http://hostyourself.net