I want to make a website. I have my html files already made, and I know which domain I want and how much it costs, etc. I only have one problem: How can I set up my computer as a server and put the files online under my domain? I can't figure this out anywhere online. I have a 802.11g router and a snow leopard mac mini. Would this work, and if so, how?
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Need help with website
- Thread starter lynkynpark86
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Setting up your computer as a web server is usually a complicated process - and as far as I know, your computer has to be turned on (with a 24/7 reliable internet connection) whenever people want to access your website, otherwise they will get a "server not responding" error. Also, most of these projects are run by Windows or Linux machines - I'm not sure how this would work on a Mac. You would also need to point your domain name to your computer/router's IP address.
Here are some basic guides I found, maybe they will be helpful:
http://philip.greenspun.com/panda/server
http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/hosting/host_web_site_home_computer.php3
Needless to say, there may be simpler options available
Find a free or low-cost host. A server serves different needs than your computer. Unless you have high internet speed and you don't mind having a separate machine hosting your site, then don't bother hosting it yourself.
I used some home servers in the past and you need some time to maintain them. With your first website, it's just a waste of energy, time, money and all sorts of other resources.
I used some home servers in the past and you need some time to maintain them. With your first website, it's just a waste of energy, time, money and all sorts of other resources.
I think the largest reasons not to do this for a professional web site are:
* Unreliable service -- do you want your web site down for a couple hours here and there? (you have to reset the router, or your ISP is down, or your IP address changes...)
* Slow -- "uplink" speeds are painful if just 1 person is browsing your site. And if 5 or 6 are browsing, well, it gets a little painful depending on the size of your web files
* Possibly not allowed by your ISP's Terms of Service
* Probably a more remote possibility, but still, you are risking someone exploiting a hole in Apache, PHP, etc, and messing with your computer
HTH...
~ Jeremy
* Unreliable service -- do you want your web site down for a couple hours here and there? (you have to reset the router, or your ISP is down, or your IP address changes...)
* Slow -- "uplink" speeds are painful if just 1 person is browsing your site. And if 5 or 6 are browsing, well, it gets a little painful depending on the size of your web files
* Possibly not allowed by your ISP's Terms of Service
* Probably a more remote possibility, but still, you are risking someone exploiting a hole in Apache, PHP, etc, and messing with your computer
HTH...
~ Jeremy
Mac as a server
Loo here, they have done the same and in a mac mini.
Mac as a server.
http://www.freemacblog.com/mac-server-series-initial-set-up/
Loo here, they have done the same and in a mac mini.
Mac as a server.
http://www.freemacblog.com/mac-server-series-initial-set-up/
Ok, but how do I do all of those? Buying the domain is easy enough, but what about turning on personal web sharing, editing the dns, and set the router to port 80?