Hosting a Web Site with my Mac?

vwguy

Hi, I'd like to be able to host a web site with my mac. But I'm not really sure if I can do it, or how to.



I have an iMac 800 with 768MB of RAM, and a reliable cable internet connection with a dynamic IP. First of all, would I have to get a static IP?



I know that I would have to use Apache for it (right?), so any links to articles or Apple Knowledge Based documents would be appreciated on how to set it up, if it's possible with the equipment I have.

ender

Hi, your iMac is very capable of being a webserver. I had a router on my cable connection that would keep the connection alive 24/7, so the IP never changed even though it was technically dynamic. If your comptuer never shuts off for more than a few minutes, the chances of your IP changing are fairly small (obviously not a professional quality solution, but it'll do in a pinch).



You don't *have* to use Apache to serve the pages, but it is a good choice and free (and already installed). I used to use WebSTAR on OS 9, they have an OS X version now as well.



If this website is going to be a serious (money-making) endeavor, I suggest with all my heart that you just get a $15-20 account with a major provider (AIT is who we use - http://www.ait.com).



-Ender

cortez

You don't need a static IP to serve webpages, but a domain seriously helps.



DynDNS offers free domains like MyBum.kicks-ass.net but you can get anything you want instead of MyBum. There is a free DNSUpdate program on versiontracker that can run in the background and make sure your dns is always pointing at your current IP. Also, since you are behind a router make sure you forward port 80 to your mac. Check your mac's ip address in System Preferences/Network. Go to your routers configuration page and there should be a port-forwarding page (its called Applications and Games in my linksys router)

belvadere

Forget it. Pop $3.95 a month with godaddy.com and call it a day. Quick, easy and you can pay month-to-month or cancel at anytime.

towel

Quote:

Originally posted by VWGuy

Hi, I'd like to be able to host a web site with my mac. But I'm not really sure if I can do it, or how to.

For light, personal web hosting, it's incredibly easy to do. In the Sharing system preference, enable "Web Sharing". That turns on Apache. Then put the files you want to share into the "Sites" folder in your home directory. Done.



Tell your family or friends to surf to http://your.home.IP.address/~yourusername to browse your site (conveniently, the proper URL is displayed in the "Sharing" system preference when you select "Web Sharing"). I do this to share photos and such with my family and friends. My home IP has changed exactly once in the last two years (after Comcast bought ATTBI), so it works well enough.



For a "real" website, though, with a domain name and all that jazz, that you'd like to be open to the wide world....for that, I'd use a hosting service or get a static-IP DSL line. Remember, if nothing else, that cable modems are limited to about 10KB/sec upstream. They're really not suited to semi-serious web hosting.

karrick

What type of software do people generally use for forums?



-Karrick

cortez

Quote:

Originally posted by karrick

What type of software do people generally use for forums?



-Karrick

phpBB is one popular option, its free and relatively easy to set up. There is also vBulletin that is used by this site, but costs money.

karrick

Quote:

Originally posted by cortez

phpBB is one popular option, its free and relatively easy to set up. There is also vBulletin that is used by this site, but costs money.

That is exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks.



One of the strengths of this site (today is my first day here) is that it is not only extremely quick on my dial-up line (I'm on a business trip), but is very attractive. I don't mind paying money for good software...



But I appreciate both links.



Thanks,

Karrick

jwink3101

As far as PHPbb goes, it is great. I highly suggest it but you will need to have mySQL and PHP installed on the system.



Also, make sure it isn't against your ISP's TOS. You don't want them to kick you off.



I would suggest a dedicated shared hosting company instead. I use Lunarpages. Besides the fact that they have a great service, you get a lot more. You get 40 gigs of bandwidth a month and 800 megabytes. Unlimited email addresses (POP and/or IMAP +SMTP). PHP and MySQL support. You also get a program called fantastico which would allow you to do a one button install of PHPbb and some 40 other web programs (such as geeklog used as the main site here.)



I am a moderator at their forums (but i am not an employee, just a volunteering customer). They have the best customer support i have ever seen with a company. If you have any questions about them you can email me personally ( Justin (at) Winokur (dot) us ) or Private message me here.

jwink3101

I said that this site is geeklog because i remember seeing that but i can't find it. It may not be geeklog after all. Either way, geejlog can be used for this type of site.