Hello,

I run a celeb site that is really starting to pick up momentum - it's now getting using close to ONE GIG of bandwidth per day.

My current web host is great, and they don't have a problem with it at all. However, I feel like I should place some of the more popular images on another server to take the load off a little bit.

This is what I need - hopefully someone can tell me a good place to get it, or make me an offer -

1. NO domain name - just a subdomain will do
2. NO email accounts - already have 'em.
3. NO Cgi-bin - don't need that either
4. 25 - 50 megs or so of server space, that will get about 200 megs per day of traffic or so. - all JPEGS or GIFs, with NO ADULT material at all.

Basically, I just need a bit of server space. I don't need CGI, email, stats, php, databases, etc, etc.

Users, please post a reply here. Webhosts, email me.

Thanks,

Patrick

There is a pretty long listing of all the hosts (or almost all of them) that visits this board in the advertising forum I believe. A quick look there can give you a lot of choice. since you are not asking for that much, it should be quite easy to find.

Look into dedicated servers, you can get one for $99 a month. If you picking up that much hits, there should be no problem in getting a server, unless your not turning those hits into $$$

Patrick, that level of traffic isn't all that whacky -- especially if your host is happy-fine with it, and their connectivity can handle the bandwidth without bottlenecking -- though it's definitely hitting a point where a dedicated server may be a better idea.

Splitting a site's graphical and other content across two different servers isn't a great idea, however... even if it sounds good on paper.

From an administrative standpoint, it can easily become a nightmare -- especially if you use an IP address and subsequently have to change hosts on the secondary.

Viewed from the perspective of performance, grabbing half your content from one host and half from another is no bargain, either.

I remember a lot of graphics sites using Simplenet.com in the past just for this purpose. The company has since revised a lot of their usage terms, including putting up a bandwidth cap. Oh yes, and they got bought out by Yahoo.

As you say, George, I don't think Simplenet allows this manner of free run anymore.

Many hosting companies don't care for the idea of being repositories, too, by the way -- so it's always best to carefully check posted TOS (Terms Of Service) agreements, and explicitly ask a host if they permit this activity.

[Edited by etLux on 11-27-2000 at 03:47 AM]

I agree with the one post, I wouldn't split your site like this. You will want to remain consistant through out your site. Administration will hurt you down the road and you might not even gain much of it. I will look into a total solution if I were you. Even though I'm not quite sure a dedicated server will be right for you right now, it won't be a bad idea to look into one. How's your technical abilities? Do your homework. How big is your total site? Is the site very intensive? There are lots of questions that I will ask in order to propose a solution.

Many hosts don't allow a "sub" site on their servers. Read the terms of service carefully before you sign up.

Since it's a celebtrity site I assume you have a picture gallery. Why don't you stay with your current host but host the picture galleries on another, free host. This should cut your bandwith.

If you host only the images on a freeserver, I believe you'll find most free sites specifically forbid that sort of archival use, as it costs them bandwidth without benefit of ad revenue.

Yes, that's true. But, if you host not just the pictures nut the enire HTML page containing the pictures it should be ok. I have a fan-site and I'm doing this. It may make your site a little less unified, but it also means you won't have to pay more...

Check out http://www.idrive.com

They offer free 50 MB of space that you can use to store multimedia files. I can't comment on the services/features since I don't have an account with them, but I do notice alot of MP3 files are stored on their servers.

NMBC, unless I'm mistaken, I don't believe archival "net hard drive" sites like this allow external links to the resources stored upon them. I believe access is only via shared web "folders", accessed by permission involving a passworded log-in. At least, the several I've used all work that way...

etLux, I have have not accessed files on idrive lately. However, over the summer, I have downloaded many large audio files from various idrive users without prior permission. I believe it's up to each user to define permission for his/her files.

i'll start looking into the dedicated server option. I have a total of four websites online right now, and this celeb site by far consumes the most bandwidth.

I appreciate all the input, and the general advice NOT to split the site up.

Thanks guys.....

Patrick