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Thread: Need help with hosting
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04-16-2011, 07:48 AM #1Newbie
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Need help with hosting
Hello, my name is Joe. I am noob with web hosting. I want to start a free hosting service. Much like imageshack.us
I have no clue how to start this. What type of server do I need? How do I get it pointed to the internet? I was looking into a few hosting companies. But I feel it would be better to operate it myself. I will people a public uploader to upload music, videos, images, etc. Any help would be appreciated.
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04-16-2011, 08:59 AM #2Best Customer Service..ALWAYS!
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I take it you are talking about running the server from your home?
If you are wanting to provide a reliable service, then running the server from your home is not really practical.
Using your home Internet connection will most probably be slow, plus if your uploading/downloading images, music, videos, etc., you'll most probably find that your ISP will cut you off, or severly restrict your connection.
You also have to consider what would happen in the event of a power failure, are you going to get a generator?
You would be much better getting a dedicated server from a proper datacenter, even a low spec one to start with, you can always upgrade it when needed.
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04-16-2011, 09:06 AM #3Web Hosting Master
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As already said, you'll be better off moving it to a small VPS or dedicated server.
Let's say you have a 1.5mbps/384kbps ADSL connection or similar (just basing off Australian internet here). You can download (what people upload through your site) at 150kB/s - which would be alright if one or two people were uploading at the same time. However, you'll be severely capped on your upload speeds - 38.4kB/s at best. Imagine 2-5 people viewing an uploaded picture at once - ~7kB/s for each viewer. Now, you'll probably have a better package than that, but just an example for you as to why you shouldn't. Even with a much bigger package, the upload speed will severely cripple you - especially with a service like that.
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04-16-2011, 09:08 AM #4Newbie
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I was thinking about running it from my home. I was going to look for another internet connection provider besides the one I use now.
Who do you recommend for a dedicated server from?
I looked at dreamhost. There unlimited policy for what I want do is not not allowed.
Copyrighted content to which you do not hold usage or distribution rights.
File upload / sharing / archive / backup / mirroring / distribution sites.
A site created primarily to drive traffic to another site.
Making your account resources available (whether for free or pay) to the general public.
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04-16-2011, 09:40 AM #5Best Customer Service..ALWAYS!
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If you are allowing uploading/downloading of illegal/copyright material then most providers are not going to allow it.
Running it from home will also have the same problem. If your ISP finds out/gets complaints, they will most likely cut your connection.
I don't know which country you are in, but, in the UK, if you are found offering illegal/copyright material, whether paid for, or free, then not only are you liable to heavy fines by the authorities, they can also, in some instances, confiscate your servers/computers.
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04-16-2011, 09:42 AM #6Newbie
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04-16-2011, 09:46 AM #7Web Hosting Master
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Yes, allow the public access to your home network. That's always a great idea.
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04-16-2011, 09:48 AM #8Newbie
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04-16-2011, 10:10 AM #9Web Hosting Master
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Well, since you don't know the difference between an ISP and a hosting provider, go with a company like HostGator that has 24/7 help that would be able to assist you with your scripts.
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04-16-2011, 10:14 AM #10Best Customer Service..ALWAYS!
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I would imagine that the US has similar laws, the only place you could possibly go for a server, is with a provider that's servers are in a country that does not abide by copyright laws, possibly china.
Does not stop the US authorities from coming after you as you are in the US.
He wasn't talking about your Internet connection, he was talking about your home network. Your computers for example.
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04-16-2011, 10:24 AM #11Newbie
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04-16-2011, 10:28 AM #12Newbie
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Please forgive the ignorance. I have computer knowledge, not hosting. This is all new to me.
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04-16-2011, 10:31 AM #13Web Hosting Master
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I would recommend NOT starting an image hosting company unless you know what you are doing.
You could be liable for DMCA complaints, child porn, and every other abuse that image hosts deal with. If you don't deal with it in a timely (and correct) manner, you could get sued.
Is it worth it for $0 profit?
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04-16-2011, 10:36 AM #14Newbie
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04-16-2011, 02:03 PM #15Web Hosting Master
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You understand that by hosting the content, even for a nanosecond, you are guilty of possession of it? Someone mentioned you might get sued ... in reality, you might get criminally prosecuted, and even if you cop a plea to stay out of jail, you'll be a registered sex offender. After five years, you might be able to get your record expunged. Maybe. If the child porn is, or ever has been, on a computer in your home, you are guilty of possession. It doesn't matter if you put it there, or allowed someone to put it there. If there's more than a certain number of images, you are guilty of distribution. And it doesn't matter if they can't prove you never distributed it; the amount moves it to the next level. (I have a friend who went through this; it isn't pretty).
Let's say you're lucky and no one uploads child porn (or even porn with actors that look young without the requisite records on file to PROVE they are of age). Let's say someone just uploads MP3 rips. It is in your house. You are liable. There is no "safe harbor" provision for people who set up file servers to share files. It doesn't matter if its a hobby, or a business. The music industry will find you, and sue you, and the judgements have come in at figures like $62,000 PER SONG.
The usual way this is done is through a server in a country where hosting the material is not illegal, such as the Netherlands. I understand they are now considering a law to make the host liable. I could be wrong on that, but its your money and your freedom at stake, so at least be warned.
However, if you log into the server from your home connection, you are under the jurisdiction of the laws of your country and state. And most countries now cooperate with each other on copyright issues.
This is a spectacularly bad idea.
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04-16-2011, 08:55 PM #16Newbie
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How is that imageshack hasn't been seized? They mainly do images though. It was a thought to do mp3s. But I probably wouldn't do it. Just images.
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04-16-2011, 09:04 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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04-17-2011, 12:26 PM #18Web Hosting Master
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Read the ImageShack Rules, take them to a lawyer who specializes in on-line content, and have him draft a version for you.
If you are not going to host MP3's or movie files, your life just got easier. Images can still generate DMCA take down notices, but unless you post stills from movies, etc., you won't have the sharks from those industries trying to kill off your site. You will still face the porn issue. Talk to a lawyer or someone who is in the business to find out what's legal; I think there are still "community standards" to consider, and I don't know if a simple disclaimer that the person is only uploading content legal in his community is enough. On the download side, I think you have the same issue (which is why the Feds usually bring obscenity cases in places like Tennessee).
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