using your pc to host your web site

BaseballMan · 01-31-2003, 12:47 AM

Would it be too much of a problem to host your web site on your
computer.
I dont do any banking online but im more worried about someone destroying my leagues or the utilitys ive downloaded etc
just for kicks.

Also would it use up a lot more eletrcity to keep your computer running 24 hrs a day?
Would it be hard on the pc to keep it running all the time?
Wouldnt it shutdown automatically if i have a motherboard temp alarm set.

I just dont have the budget to pay $10 a month to host my solo league.
I have an extra 25gb of space on my hdd so that should be plenty of space.

Jermanfu · 01-31-2003, 12:57 AM

This brings up a good point BaseballMan. I was wondering something similar. Is there a way you can make your computer a server? Maybe a program or something? It would be much cheaper then renting web hosting every month. Anyone have any ideas or answers on this?

BaseballMan · 01-31-2003, 01:09 AM

yeah i was wondering about security and wear and tear on my pc.
I dont think bandwith would be a problem cause i dont see 50,000 people coming to my site.
i would just like someting simple like TigerFan

Steve Kuffrey · 01-31-2003, 01:10 AM

I'm not 100% sure, but I know that Windows 2000 Pro has some administrative settings that deal with this.

johnnyshaka · 01-31-2003, 02:15 AM

If you don't know what you are doing, then I wouldn't suggest it.

Running a webserver on a home machine with personal data stored on it is never a good idea because there are jerks out there who prey on people who do it.

Anybody with cable/dsl are already a target because they have a live link to the net all the time. But, when you are hosting a website, you are not only online all the time, you are actually inviting people to browse your computer. If you haven't "locked down" your machine properly...the whole world could have access to your personal affairs. Not a good idea.

As for leaving your computer up and running 24/7...I haven't turned this thing off since September...and no, the power bill won't go through the roof.

fantom1979 · 01-31-2003, 02:45 AM

I am on the verge of doing this myself. I will most likely be using Apache to make this work on my Window XP machine. I highly recommend doing your homework first though. I have been playing on and off with this for 3 years, so I have some backround knowledge. If I can scrap up enough bucks, I will probably build a new computer specifically for this. As far as leaving your computer on all the time, I dont see this being much of a problem. I always have my computer running, I just reboot it once in a while.

BaseballMan · 01-31-2003, 02:51 AM

Well i dont really have anything private on this pc.
I usually make backups of anything ive downloaded and wish to keep. pictures, music, game utilitys etc.

I usually do a clean install every 6 months anyways.

They would have to be pretty bored if the contents of my pc interested them lol.

But i hear what your saying and i thought security might be a big issue.

Drood · 01-31-2003, 03:15 AM

Aside from the security issues (if you're going to setup a web server, use Apache. It's pretty much the most secure server out there) you may also piss your ISP off. Before doing any of this, make sure your ISP's TOS doesn't expressly forbid it, unless you want your account closed down.

Some ISP's, especially after the Code Red debacle, closed the ports you need for a webserver (port 80 I believe) so you may be able to run one, but nobody outside your system can connect to it.

I would highly HIGHLY not recommend setting up your own server.

And while you may not have private stuff on your system, it matters little. A hacker gets in and you can kiss goodbye to the system. May not have private stuff on there, but do you REALLY want to have to reinstall everything? That's even assuming you even know you've been compromised. They may very well install Back Orifice or another trojan...

If you're going to do this, PLEASE, get a book out of the library on network security. I'm all for playing with servers and stuff, but you really need to be *VERY* security concious these days given the number of scumbag script kiddies on the net.

BaseballMan · 01-31-2003, 03:21 AM

yeah i was kind of wondering about somene putting a trojan or something on my pc that would use my pc like a robot to mess with other pcs and try to cover their dirty work by using my pc as guinea pig.

Henry · 01-31-2003, 05:43 AM

Yeah, when it comes right down to it, it probably isn't worth the risk - and if you invest enough to make it worth it, your going to spend a lot more than the monthly rental charge.

In case your not aware of it, gisol.com offers websites for $7.95 a month which is far less than what running your own server will ultimately cost you. I recently moved my websites there and so far, am very pleased.

Henry

Jermanfu · 01-31-2003, 07:10 AM

Henry, do you know if Gisol.com offers FTP transfer? I didn't see it in their list of features. Other then that, looks like a great deal.

Mike1 · 01-31-2003, 09:15 AM

Something else you have to look at is if you have a static IP. If your IP keeps changing as it does with a cable modem usually, then it becomes a pain to keep changing the IP address to get to your website.

BaseballMan · 01-31-2003, 09:27 AM

yeah it looks like to much trouble.

jgross68 · 01-31-2003, 02:07 PM

I would also recommend against setting up your own web server. Unless you've found some way to make money by putting your OOTP solo league out on the net, the work and risks involved aren't really worth it. I use a hosting company called Infinet Hosting. For $8.99/mo I get 200 MB space, ASP support, Perl with full CGI-BIN access (though I've had trouble with this) and full FTP support. I use this for more than my OOTP stuff - the wife has a side training/consulting biz that is the primary reason we have a web site and we also keep a little family site there, plus it's a good "playground" to try out some programming stuff - so I can easily justify the $100/year or so. For everything it offers, seems like a pretty good bargain.
However, if you do want to try and go it alone, there was a good how-to article I read on Wired magazine's web monkey site a couple years ago: A Server of Your Own
There's also an article there on cheap hosting services: Web Hosting for Under Ten Bucks

satchel · 01-31-2003, 03:35 PM

The fact that very few people do it is a good indicator of its difficulty and danger.

fantom1979 · 01-31-2003, 08:34 PM

You could always build a Linux box

Applecorey · 01-31-2003, 09:09 PM

How much space do you need for a typical ootp league site?

fantom1979 · 02-01-2003, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Applecorey
How much space do you need for a typical ootp league site?

It depends on what you are going to put on the site. The size differs quite a bit depending on if you are going to use the basic html files from OOTP or if you are going to use a utility like Cato or Wallman. I dont have the exact numbers in front of me, but if you post what kind of site you are going to use, I will try to get some estimated numbers for you.

Applecorey · 02-01-2003, 08:08 PM

Just a basic site. No frills.

fantom1979 · 02-02-2003, 12:46 AM

For a single seasons worth of HTML files, my 24 team league in its 11th season takes about 13MB for all of the games html files. This number can be quite different for you depending on your draft size, league size, and what season you are in.

01-31-2003, 12:47 AM	#1
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,633	using your pc to host your web site Would it be too much of a problem to host your web site on your computer. I dont do any banking online but im more worried about someone destroying my leagues or the utilitys ive downloaded etc just for kicks. Also would it use up a lot more eletrcity to keep your computer running 24 hrs a day? Would it be hard on the pc to keep it running all the time? Wouldnt it shutdown automatically if i have a motherboard temp alarm set. I just dont have the budget to pay $10 a month to host my solo league. I have an extra 25gb of space on my hdd so that should be plenty of space.

01-31-2003, 12:57 AM	#2
Jermanfu All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA. Posts: 899	This brings up a good point BaseballMan. I was wondering something similar. Is there a way you can make your computer a server? Maybe a program or something? It would be much cheaper then renting web hosting every month. Anyone have any ideas or answers on this? __________________ "I took the two most expensive asprins in history." - Wally Pipp on his decision to sit out a game with a headache which let Lou Gehrig into the lineup for the first time. http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/Jermanfu/

01-31-2003, 01:10 AM	#4
Steve Kuffrey Administrator Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: S.E. TN - Georgia born and raised Posts: 17,035	I'm not 100% sure, but I know that Windows 2000 Pro has some administrative settings that deal with this. __________________ Steve Kuffrey DABS Atlanta Braves - 2008 Eastern Division Champ *DBLC Atlanta Braves - 2011, 2014 East Division Champ, 2012, 2013 NL Wildcard Baseball Maelstrom-Montreal Expos-2013 Tourney winner, 2014 WC Team Sparky's League - Tampa Bay D'Rays Epicenter Baseball League - Astros 2014 The CBL Rewind - Phillies '95

01-31-2003, 02:15 AM	#5
johnnyshaka All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 680	If you don't know what you are doing, then I wouldn't suggest it. Running a webserver on a home machine with personal data stored on it is never a good idea because there are jerks out there who prey on people who do it. Anybody with cable/dsl are already a target because they have a live link to the net all the time. But, when you are hosting a website, you are not only online all the time, you are actually inviting people to browse your computer. If you haven't "locked down" your machine properly...the whole world could have access to your personal affairs. Not a good idea. As for leaving your computer up and running 24/7...I haven't turned this thing off since September...and no, the power bill won't go through the roof. __________________

01-31-2003, 02:45 AM	#6
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	I am on the verge of doing this myself. I will most likely be using Apache to make this work on my Window XP machine. I highly recommend doing your homework first though. I have been playing on and off with this for 3 years, so I have some backround knowledge. If I can scrap up enough bucks, I will probably build a new computer specifically for this. As far as leaving your computer on all the time, I dont see this being much of a problem. I always have my computer running, I just reboot it once in a while. __________________

01-31-2003, 01:09 AM	#3
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,633	yeah i was wondering about security and wear and tear on my pc. I dont think bandwith would be a problem cause i dont see 50,000 people coming to my site. i would just like someting simple like TigerFan

01-31-2003, 02:51 AM	#7
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,633	Well i dont really have anything private on this pc. I usually make backups of anything ive downloaded and wish to keep. pictures, music, game utilitys etc. I usually do a clean install every 6 months anyways. They would have to be pretty bored if the contents of my pc interested them lol. But i hear what your saying and i thought security might be a big issue. Last edited by BaseballMan; 01-31-2003 at 02:56 AM.

01-31-2003, 03:15 AM	#8
Drood Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 425	Aside from the security issues (if you're going to setup a web server, use Apache. It's pretty much the most secure server out there) you may also piss your ISP off. Before doing any of this, make sure your ISP's TOS doesn't expressly forbid it, unless you want your account closed down. Some ISP's, especially after the Code Red debacle, closed the ports you need for a webserver (port 80 I believe) so you may be able to run one, but nobody outside your system can connect to it. I would highly HIGHLY not recommend setting up your own server. And while you may not have private stuff on your system, it matters little. A hacker gets in and you can kiss goodbye to the system. May not have private stuff on there, but do you REALLY want to have to reinstall everything? That's even assuming you even know you've been compromised. They may very well install Back Orifice or another trojan... If you're going to do this, PLEASE, get a book out of the library on network security. I'm all for playing with servers and stuff, but you really need to be VERY security concious these days given the number of scumbag script kiddies on the net.

01-31-2003, 03:21 AM	#9
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,633	yeah i was kind of wondering about somene putting a trojan or something on my pc that would use my pc like a robot to mess with other pcs and try to cover their dirty work by using my pc as guinea pig.

01-31-2003, 05:43 AM	#10
Henry Hall of Fame Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 6,498	Yeah, when it comes right down to it, it probably isn't worth the risk - and if you invest enough to make it worth it, your going to spend a lot more than the monthly rental charge. In case your not aware of it, gisol.com offers websites for $7.95 a month which is far less than what running your own server will ultimately cost you. I recently moved my websites there and so far, am very pleased. Henry

01-31-2003, 07:10 AM	#11
Jermanfu All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA. Posts: 899	Henry, do you know if Gisol.com offers FTP transfer? I didn't see it in their list of features. Other then that, looks like a great deal. __________________ "I took the two most expensive asprins in history." - Wally Pipp on his decision to sit out a game with a headache which let Lou Gehrig into the lineup for the first time. http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/Jermanfu/

01-31-2003, 09:15 AM	#12
Mike1 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 209	Something else you have to look at is if you have a static IP. If your IP keeps changing as it does with a cable modem usually, then it becomes a pain to keep changing the IP address to get to your website. __________________ Mike Dills

01-31-2003, 09:27 AM	#13
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,633	yeah it looks like to much trouble.

01-31-2003, 02:07 PM	#14
jgross68 All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: ....is everything! OTA: .882, Member #866 Posts: 690	I would also recommend against setting up your own web server. Unless you've found some way to make money by putting your OOTP solo league out on the net, the work and risks involved aren't really worth it. I use a hosting company called Infinet Hosting. For $8.99/mo I get 200 MB space, ASP support, Perl with full CGI-BIN access (though I've had trouble with this) and full FTP support. I use this for more than my OOTP stuff - the wife has a side training/consulting biz that is the primary reason we have a web site and we also keep a little family site there, plus it's a good "playground" to try out some programming stuff - so I can easily justify the $100/year or so. For everything it offers, seems like a pretty good bargain. However, if you do want to try and go it alone, there was a good how-to article I read on Wired magazine's web monkey site a couple years ago: A Server of Your Own There's also an article there on cheap hosting services: Web Hosting for Under Ten Bucks __________________ Javier Gustavo Ruprecht Oss LXVIII Bizarro-Gastric ReFlux Emeritus Judo Purist and Supporter of Monkey Rodeo Leagues: OTBL \| ABC \| OCHO \| Off The Wall (Coming Soon!) Blogs: The Legacy of Tony Womack \| How We Got Enron! ...the musical (Now even less frequently updated!) Topical quote for any occasion: "Never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth." ~Henrik Ibsen, "An Enemy of the People"

01-31-2003, 03:35 PM	#15
satchel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ft Smith Ark. USA Posts: 2,681	Scarcity The fact that very few people do it is a good indicator of its difficulty and danger. __________________ JL Commish NPBL Rhode Island Reds ’33 ’34 ’35 TCBA San Francisco Railbornes ’74 ’76 ’77 ’78 FL New Orleans Black Sox ’56 ’57 ’58 ’59

01-31-2003, 08:34 PM	#16
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	You could always build a Linux box __________________

01-31-2003, 09:09 PM	#17
Applecorey Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 307	How much space do you need for a typical ootp league site? __________________ www.boardgamegeek.com

02-01-2003, 08:08 PM	#19
Applecorey Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 307	Just a basic site. No frills. __________________ www.boardgamegeek.com

02-02-2003, 12:46 AM	#20
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	For a single seasons worth of HTML files, my 24 team league in its 11th season takes about 13MB for all of the games html files. This number can be quite different for you depending on your draft size, league size, and what season you are in. __________________