Hosting Your Site
What is Hosting?
You need to put your website onto a computer that is part of the huge network we call the world wide web. These computers are called servers and you need some space on one to get your website up and running. This computer is then 'hosting' your site.You may find that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) will give some free space when you sign up for your broadband package, but these are only really good for your personal use. You will also find some free hosting packages about but they tend to come with advertising, so for your business website you need to bite the bullet and pay for a hosting package.
Packages vary significantly in cost and function, but the first question you need to consider is which type of server do you need?
Windows or Linux?
Yes, I am still speaking English!There are two types of server based on the Operating System they use. The operating system is the software that sits on the computer, and runs in the background enabling you to do all that you want to do!
You all know the Windows operating system and you are probably using a Windows based PC to view this site, but many years ago, before Bill Gates, when computers were big machines that sat in their own air conditioned rooms and were nurtured by computer operators, there was a brilliant operating system called Unix. This gave rise to the Linux operating system that runs today's servers. You will find the occasional Unix based system around but they are few and far between.
Does any of this matter? Well it won't for a very basic web site, but if, looking ahead you may want something a bit cleverer like a password protected login to a protected part of your site, or you want a searchable site, then you do need to think carefully about the hosting package you buy into.
The main thing you need to be aware of is that the Microsoft Access Database is only available on a Windows server and requires ASP (Active Server Pages) programming whereas Linux (or Unix) servers have the mySQL database and PHP programming. PHP Hypertext Preprocessor is a recursive acronym; the first "P" stands for "PHP," and the first "P" of that stands for "PHP" as well, thus the cycle continues. It originally stood for Personal Home Page, but was renamed when the language fell into common use on the web.
There are some other differences as well and they are summarised in the table below, but don't worry if you don't understand any of this - just consult your web designer to find out where their expertise lies, and they will advise you whether to go for Windows or Linux.
 |
 | |
| Windows | Linux | |
| FTP Access | yes | yes |
| Telnet/SSH Access | limited | yes |
| HTML & JavaScript | yes | yes |
| FrontPage Extensions | yes | yes |
| CGI/Perl | limited | yes |
| ASP | yes | limited |
| PHP | limited | yes |
| ColdFusion | yes | yes |
| Access Database | yes | no |
| mySQL Database | yes | yes |
Security and Reliability
The received wisdom is that a Linux server and PHP/mySQL are far more secure than Windows, ASP/Access, but the bottom line is that all systems are quite secure and all have their weaknesses. If you or your web designer use either of the databases then you or they are responsible for that aspect of security - but that's another story!Do just check that your hosts have secure premises and reliable backup systems.
A server in someone's back bedroom is far from ideal!
You also need to know that if there is a problem and you or someone else inadvertently deletes your database or your web site, that your hosts have a regular and frequent backup procedure and you can recover your site easily and quickly!
With the best will in the world, no one can be sure that they can guarantee 100% so called 'up time' but if you look around you will find guarantees of 99% plus!
Recommendations
For over 10 years now we have hosted our telescope business web sites with 1and1.co.uk and in all those years they have renewed our domain names, run our websites nonstop (as far as we know!) and provided us with a very good trouble free service. During the years we have been with them they have added lots of features to their hosting package such as a rather clever site builder you can use to get your web site up and running.Equally, I would always go for a Linux package - mostly because I used to use Unix in the 'old days' and I personally prefer mySQL and PHP, but go for the one that gives you the features you need for your own web site.
So now you know your market, you have your domain name(s) and you have sorted out your hosting package you need to either find a web designer or write your own web site!