Do I really need Cpanel or Plesk or etc?

I know they are not absolutely required to run a web server.

I will not be running a hosting buisness, just a single comercial web page. These seem to cater to the web hosting business. Are they really worth it for somebody just hosting a commercial website.

My subscribers will have thier own page but it will be a very simple 1-2 page static site.

What advantages do any of these offer the non-hosting server?

Are there any other products out there ( free or pay ) that cater more to the WebSite developer than a web host?

Thanks,

Greg

Webmin (http://www.webmin.com/) is probably a much better solution for you. The appeal of CPanel, Plesk, Ensim, etc. is indeed for the mass virtual hosting market wouldn't really offer you much.

Webmin may not be as "pretty" as the hosting-focused panels but it's more flexible and more useful for general administration tasks.

muffinchucke,
One other thing to consider is email for the users. Also will there need to be many email accounts and who will administer the email accounts if there are any? Will this server only be hosting a single domain and will there be many domains?

It sounds like Webmin may be your best bet. Many of the server providers will lease you a server without a control panel and install Webmin in it's place for a reduced monthly fee.

Originally posted by Curt
muffinchucke,
One other thing to consider is email for the users. Also will there need to be many email accounts and who will administer the email accounts if there are any? Will this server only be hosting a single domain and will there be many domains?


I am not sure at this point if I will provide emails to the users. It is definately an option I have been considering and will probably depend on whether or not the users request this service. I am leary of doing it. Does this play much of a role in which console I decide to use? I just looked at Webmin and that looks much more like what I would be interested in and much more useful.

The server will more than likely only host a single domain, at least for a while.

Thanks,

Greg

Plesk does have a free, single domain licence, so you could use that.

Peter