Starting a website

[realisticphish]

I am currently in graduate school for Library and Information Science, and taking an E-Publishing course. I had previously dabbled in html, but now am getting deep into the more complex aspects of html, xml, java, etc.

For this class, I had to create an "About Me" website. It's hosted on my school's server, but obviously that will go away on graduation. However, I am interested in keeping this site (in terms of the structure and content) as an electronic resume. Every domain registration site, or anything like that, crows about their webpage designers, and their templates, etc. I just want a domain name, an email address, some decent storage space, and a way to upload my html, for not too terrible a price. I don't need anything else.

So, I'm just looking for a good company that will provide this basic service, without requiring me to use all that extra nonsense. Any suggestions?

[DaveJ]

1. Well there are thousands...

Any recommendation you receive would be based on someone's subjective preference.

I'm surprised this isn't covered in your e-publishing course.

You just need a web hosting service, like, I used discountasp.net, but that's because I like the Windows/.Net platform. It's $10/mo. Most people use Linux/PHP servers because they are cheaper. You could find one for $5/mo or less if you want.

Discountasp.net definitely is not about the extra nonsense, which is why I like them, but they do charge more for the extras like Sql Server and added capacity, which it sounds like you won't need anyway.

Again, Linux/PHP is cheapr because it is open source.

I do not personally know anyone who operates a hosting company, otherwise I would recommend them.

[realisticphish]

2. well

the class isn't over, so it may be dealt with towards the end.

I've looked at godaddy, ipage, and a couple others, but it's not clear how much control you have with those. I worry about ending up with templates, when i've already paid for a year. It's not exactly a pressing issue, and my design sense is not up to par yet, but it's something I've been wanting to start researching.

Also, if it changes anything, I'm on a mac

[DaveJ]

3. These templates they offer shouldn't interfere

At least, as far as I know, most hosts will still let you FTP things to their server, and just not use their templates. Templates might be nice for web designers who want to create lots of sites quickly for multiple clients. But their existence shouldn't get in your way.

But yeah it really changes things since you are using a Mac. I believe you should find a Linux server, since you do not need Microsoft and can't really develop MS .Net sites using a Mac. The vast majority of Web Hosts are Linux so that shouldn't be a problem. It usually is what they offer by default.

I'm surprised there aren't more web designers on the DU posting on this forum.

As far as control goes, all you should need to do is FTP files to a directory on your server. There's not much more to it, except occasionally I might need to create a virtual directory or assign an application directory, but this is for .Net server side programming, so I'm not sure if you would ever need to do that. I don't know about PHP/Linux. At any rate simple stuff where you are not doing server side programming it shouldn't matter.

[realisticphish]

4. that's the impression i get

that is, that I can just use FTP and not use their templates. I just wanted to get an impressions from someone who's had experience with domains.

I, too, am surprised at the lack of traffic here

[DaveJ]

5. ..

I take the train to and from work with about 500 other people and everyone else is just sittin around reading papers talking on the phone wasting 15 hours a week of their lives and I'm like the only one programming here it appears. I guess that's ok, the iPad market should do great since most people just surf the web anyway. I'm a producer not a consumer, so I guess that's good for me. Anyway, if you need any more help let me know. Good luck.

[realisticphish]

6. thanks

and, for the record, I think iPads are a terrible idea, or at least a product with absolutely no purpose