Free Web Hosting Anyone?

scotty on 04/04/2007 - 11:06

Hey. Here is my turn to provide some freebies.

The story is, I am evaluating a Virtual Private Server (VPS) provider and the latest "HostInABox" control panel from the Lxlabs, and am currently paying for this VPS in LA California that is pretty much under utilised.

And I do not have any time doing any project on it!

So I think, maybe I will provide some free web/email hosting to a few friends on OzBargain. Anyone interested? I have 5 such accounts to give away. Here is the spec:

  • Server located in LA (~165ms round-trip from Sydney)
  • LXAdmin panel with Lighttpd and HostInABox (thus .htaccess recipes don't work)
  • Host 2 domains (BYO domains)
  • 250Mb storage space
  • 5,000Mb/month data transfer
  • 4 MySQL database
  • FTP account for uploading files
  • Runs PHP as suexec CGI with safe mode OFF

I gotta admit first that it is a crappy server and will probably not handle your big forums. On the other hand sites like OzBargain and OzBargainBlog will run perfectly fine on it.

I am still working out the terms and conditions. But let us say that

  1. You can't host illegal content.
  2. I reserve the rights to terminate the account.

Since the very purpose is to evaluate the HIB solution, I would prefer to give accounts to those who actually want to use it, instead of just for the sake of it as we all know the mentality behind getting freebies :)

I am committed to lease this particular server for 1 year, but I would also like to ask all free account holders every 6 months whether they still need the account, so I can recycle unused resources.

Anyone interested? Leave a comment here — I am not asking you to write 25 words on why you want the free account, but it would help me to evaluate who I should give it to. I'll pick 5 today or tomorrow.

General Discussion

Comments

  • JeffreyM on 04/04/2007 - 14:08

    Can you do your own website like www.yournamehere.com?

    I would like 1 please

    • scotty on 04/04/2007 - 16:28

      Yes that's the whole point.

      But BYO domain though — you can register them in places like GoDaddy, NameCheap or other registrars. A dot-com will set you anywhere between USD$7 to $35.

      Also note that very limited support will be provided, so I hope those who want the free account would be experienced. I am not running a hosting business here :)

      Jeffrey — I'll set up one for you tonight when I get a chance.

  • JeffreyM on 04/04/2007 - 16:39

    Scotty, do have to know how to build a website for your self?

    • scotty on 04/04/2007 - 17:43

      JeffreyM — with all the software available, building website is actually quite trivial. These days you have to think more about the content instead of all the technical details.

  • Jaxx on 05/04/2007 - 08:39

    Hi Scotty

    I do have a .com domain but it has no content, I just use it for email. I would like to try this out for learning purposes, so put me on the bottom of the list if you don't have enough people interested! Thanks!

    • Jaxx.
  • yogz on 05/04/2007 - 16:49

    Hi Scotty,

    I'd like one hosting account for myself. I'm a software developer and also have a keen interest in sports. So I would like to use it to pursue my passion. Hopefully, I will put it to good use for myself and others.

    thanks
    Y

  • scotty on 05/04/2007 - 18:39

    JeffreyM, Jaxx and yogz — your accounts have bee created, and your should have received a welcome dinner on how you can login.

    Please contact me if you need more info to get started.

  • Jaxx on 07/04/2007 - 08:41

    I see what you mean about it being trivial to create a website, it's just point and click! You don't really even need to know HTML nowadays to start a website. Certainly very different to when I did HTML programming back in the mid 90s! lol

  • ntowill on 08/04/2007 - 08:34

    Hey Scotty,

    If you have another account I'd love one. Just got myself a domain name and my wife is getting one soon too. Would be great to have a try at making a website (haven't tried doing that for years and it looks like it should be much easier now)

    Thanks heaps…..

    • scotty on 08/04/2007 - 14:33

      Yup. Your account is on the way.

  • scotty on 08/04/2007 - 14:48

    For those who is trying to set up a domain there, here is a quick guide:

    1. Log into control panel with the username and password in the welcome email.
    2. Click on "Home" on top-left.
    3. Click on "Domain Plans" under "Domains".
    4. Click on "Add Domain Plan" on the right.
    5. Add a new plan there. You just need to fill the "Plan Name" (say, "My Plan"), and leave everything to default. Click on "Add" at the bottom.
    6. Click on "Domain" at top left.
    7. Click on "Add Domain" on the right.
    8. Now you need to fill in some info about your domain. You need to put in the domain name and password. Password is for FTP, i.e. uploading the files. Now, remember to select the plan you have created in (5) instead of "Continue without plan", which does not work due to a possible Lxadmin bug.
    9. Now the domain is added, you can see it listed under "Domains". You can then set up other things like other FTP users, email accounts, MySQL databases, etc.
    10. Finally, you need to go to your domain registrar to change the name server to "ns1.dodgyhost.com" and "ns2.dodgyhost.com"

    Need any help, click on "Tickets" and it will send your request to your helpful sysadmin, i.e. me :)

  • Lacerta on 08/04/2007 - 17:24

    I welcome the opportunity to develop the skills to set up a successful website. I currently have an idea for a site, but no hosting as yet. In the unlikely event that my idea surpasses your space limit I would be heppy to relinquish the free account to another reader.

    • scotty on 08/04/2007 - 20:54

      Lacerta — account created and welcome email sent!

      Well, all 5 accounts have been given out and I'll see how that tiny server copes. I'll be giving out more free hosting if I've got more resources.

  • scotty on 10/04/2007 - 21:16

    By the way, the Lxlabs guy got back to me having the Add Domain issue fixed.

  • moo on 13/04/2007 - 23:02

    Hi there,
    Please keep me informed when you are giving out another freebie account. Looking to start a blogging site.

    Thanks in advanced ;)

    • scotty on 15/04/2007 - 14:53

      Hi moo!

      I think I still got plenty of resources there on that server. I have just created you an account, and you should get a welcome email in your email box detailing what to do next.

      Do share with us the new site you are starting if you don't mind :)

  • Mili on 20/04/2007 - 12:58

    Hello there Scotty,

    I would love some space to host my photography works. I'm a Multimedia Developer and serious photographer, hoping to start my photography business in Wedding and event Photography. What I'm hoping to do is get my name out there but also to generously help wedding couples in Victoria who can't afford the $3000 - $6500 or so price tags usually attached to a Wedding shoot.

    I'm also showcasing my photography to help raise funds for an orphanage in Sri Lanka.

    Would certainly appreciate if you could help me.

    Many thanks in advance :)

  • neostars on 03/10/2007 - 15:09

    Hi scotty, I'm starting an small online business because I dont have the money to lease a shop.
    Free hosting would help me alot with my finances.
    So could I please have some free hosting.
    cheers,
    leon

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