Web Hosting -- should I get the PHP/MySQL tool?

[h0kie99]

I decided to sign up with doteasy for my web hosting... I can register a domain for like $25 and the standard hosting fee is $0. Pretty sweet. However, you can pay a monthly fee for "ultimate hosting" that includes PHP/MySQL among other things (link below)... I'm just starting out, so all I need are the basics, but over the next several months I'll be taking courses that involve PHP/MySQL so I'll want to be able to practice, right?? My question is, why would I have to pay a monthly fee to be able to use certain languages/technologies? Doesn't make sense to this newbie.

[kgarner]

You can configure your Mac to run Apache and PHP and MySQl so you don't need it for practice on hte server, unless you plan to incorporate those techniques into your website. THey charge extra for it because most people do not use those features and MySQL requires another server.

You may want to check out 1&1 hosting (http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=6746099) (who I use) as they include PHP and MySQL in the account and only charge $3-$6 for the domain, with only $5-$10 per month for standard hosting packages. I have been pretty satisfied with them.

[edesignuk]

www.asmallorange.com (http://www.asmallorange.com/services/hosting/?refer=yo-momma.net) - best. hosting. EVAR!

[sonofslim]

My question is, why would I have to pay a monthly fee to be able to use certain languages/technologies? Doesn't make sense to this newbie.

simple: because they can charge you extra and you'll pay... unless you know better. like kgarner said, it's pretty easy to set up PHP & MySQL on an OS X machine -- check out macdevcenter.com and entropy.ch for thorough instructions. if you don't need a live site, why pay for it? in a nutshell: if you're running OS X, you've got a web server; unless you need a host, save your $$$.

[jeremy.king]

simple: because they can charge you extra and you'll pay...

Usually you pay more because they are betting at some point you are going to want support with a PHP or MySQL problem and this is their way of hedging that bet.

[Knox]

My question is, why would I have to pay a monthly fee to be able to use certain languages/technologies? Doesn't make sense to this newbie.

The use of dynamic scripting/programming such as PHP can put an extremely heavy load onto the server which just serving normal HTML+images does not. The hosts have to have a middle-of-the-road charge for this, as some customers will use it just to write a feedback form while others might have big databases of content (for example) and a popular site. This covers more servers (fewer users per server) and as kingjr3 said there's also the element of support, both to the customer and also for the host to maintain the additional software on the servers.

However, I wouldn't bother if you're only writing to learn. I develop sites solely on my Mac (and PC, but that's optional) without using an external host.

[scem0]

www.asmallorange.com (http://www.asmallorange.com/services/hosting/?refer=yo-momma.net) - best. hosting. EVAR!

Wow, they have really nice deals.

I'll remember them in the future, thanks for the link :).

scem0

[davecuse]

www.asmallorange.com (http://www.asmallorange.com/services/hosting/?refer=yo-momma.net) - best. hosting. EVAR!

I have been shopping around for a new host, I must admit ASO does look very appealing. Have you had any difficulty with downtime? Also are you set up as a reseller, or trying to earn any free hosting referring? If so let me know, because I'm most likely going to go with them.

[DJ Forge]

I've been using http://www.surpasshosting.com for the past couple of months, no problems so far, AWESOME pricing too.

[MacForever]

As someone said it, if you want to practice you can put Apache + mod_* + PHP + MySQL/PostgreSQL on your Mac, configure FTP and than practice upload / preview.

MySQL/PHP solution is pretty common, please check this hosting provider (http://www.rexhosting.net) , there you can find everything pre-configured for your need.

If you want to configure Apache on your own, httpd.conf is pretty well self-explained, but you should read Documentation for Apache (http://apache.org). Also, choose Apache2 version, not Apache1.

Good luck!

[edesignuk]

I have been shopping around for a new host, I must admit ASO does look very appealing. Have you had any difficulty with downtime? Also are you set up as a reseller, or trying to earn any free hosting referring? If so let me know, because I'm most likely going to go with them.I have had no problems with downtime, in fact I have had no problems what so ever. I'm not setup with the reseller option, but if you do decide to sign up I'd appreciate you following this link to do so :)

Thank you. (http://www.asmallorange.com/services/hosting/?refer=yo-momma.net)

[davecuse]

Done and done, enjoy your free month.

[edesignuk]

Done and done, enjoy your free month.Thank you :)

[603]

$25 is a lot for a domain name!

[davecuse]

yea, I pay $7 a year for mine.