Baslinux mailing list

[Lee Forrest <lforrestster AT gmail.com>]

On Mon, Mar 05, 2007 at 09:59:59AM +1100, Ron Clarke wrote:
> Hi Lee,
> 
> On Sun, 4 Mar 2007 01:04:07 +0000
> Lee Forrest <lforrestster AT gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Sun, Mar 04, 2007 at 01:00:53PM +1000, Ron Clarke wrote:
> > > 
> > > Lee,
> > >       This may sound like a sily question, but why are you looking to
> > > run an ftp server from your home ?  Apart from proving that you can do
> > > it, what is the point ?
> > 
> > Control. I run the OS that runs the server. I can do anything I want
> > whenever I want.
> 
>    OK.  That's a fair enough answer.  :)

Just "fair"? I thought it was excellent :-\

>
> > Sorry. That's nonsense. You don't have any where _near_ the
> > control and freedom that I would have doing it the way I am
> > proposing.
>
>     No, I don't have the control that you are seeking, that's
>     true. But I don't need that much control for my purposes.
>
>
> > I despise web interfaces. Clumsy and limited and slow.
> > Intolerable with a dialup connection.
>
>     Actually, it's not. I have had those domains for nearly
>     two years, but I have only moved from dial-up in the last
>     4 months. And the web interface concerned is not the same
>     as those awful baby-level things like the Homestead hosting
>     service has. It is perfectly useable from dial-up.

Okay.

>
> > >      I have two domains, and a couple of subdomains, ftp
> > > accounts and stuff - its not difficult, and it a bloody
> > > sight cheaper than the sort of ISP accounts you have been
> > > talking about. And my stuff is available for download on a
> > > relatively fast server.
> >
> > Sure. But you also have a fast connection.
>
>     I do now, from here. But the hosting server has a fast
>     connection to the internet.
>
> > What does _that_ cost you?
>
>     Do you mean the domain hosting or my ADSL connection.

The ADSL, but you've covered that below.

> Domain hosting is less than Aus$100 per year - less than US$78
> per year. My ADSL actually works out cheaper than dial-up, 
> because I no longer pay for the local calls to my ISP, which 
> used to be the major part of my telephone bill.

I see. It isn't like that here in the U.S. I just use my telephone
to connect to a local access number and even if I'm on the inet
24-7 it never costs me anything but the basic phone bill, about
$18US/mo.

> > > OTOH: Maybe you have a reason for wanting to keep the
> > > server physically at hand ?
> >
> > Once again, it's a matter of control and freedom. You can
> > administer those servers within the limitations set by the
> > provider.
>
>    Which suit me just fine.
>
> > You don't control the underlying OS.
>
>    No, but I don't need to.
>
> > You don't have root priveleges.
>
>   Yes, I do.

Limited, obviously. 

> > You get what you pay for, eh?
>
>    As with everything.
>
> > And part of what you are paying for is the easy way out.
>
>    No, not really.
>
> > The route I am considering taking will force me to really
> > develop my sysadmin skills.
>
>    They certainly will, and good for you. My field of work is
>    in science, chemistry in particular, and the regulations
>    and laws pertaining to thos fields. I have enough sysadmin
>    time to keep me happy with my own machines here, where it is
>    still fun.

Part of my point! It's a lot more fun if it's _your_ box.

> > Basically, you have just learned to use a web interface,
> > which is probably proprietary software that you won't
> > encounter anywhere else.
>
>    As I said, it is not that sort of control panel. I guess
> you would have to see what I mean before passing judgement.

True. I am just relying on my limited experiences with web
interfaces like gmail.
 I
> have built my websites using ftp for the most part. The only
> stuff I use from the control panel is to see my site stats, to
> make/unmake email accounts, and to set up sub-domain links.
> Everything else is done by hand. I write my own web pages with
> a text editor,

That sounds more like what I'm interested in. 

> I make most of my own graphics, I certainly
> produce my own MIDI and MP3 and OGG files, and I write my
> own programs which I make available for free, except for the
> directories that I have made available for BasicLinux and for
> Arachne beta-testing. And I do most of it in DOS.
>
>
> > All that being said, there is much merit to your suggestion.
> > If I could find a provider that didn't require the use of a
> > web interface, I'd consider it.
>
>    Go find one, they are out there.
>
> > I am wondering why you didn't post the url(s) to this
> > wonderful service you are talking about.
>
>    It's not a wonderful service, it's a standard   
> (budget) hosting service.

I've looked into three of them, and couldn't even make sense out of
their home pages with links. I guess I gave up too soon.

> The one I use is 
> http://www.australiacheapdomains.com.au for registering a
> domain name, and they link into planetdomain - both belonging 
> to Primus I think  
>
> > http://ausreg.com?
>
>    http://www.ausreg.com and http://www.tadpoletunes.com
>
> with subdirectories such as http://delamere.tadpoletunes.com
>
>     But, Lee, if you need to have total control, then this is
>     not for you.

Still, it would get me a server a lot faster. As long as I could
use FTP to access the webserver's directories....

I have a lot of homework to do before I can make even a serious attempt
at running a mini-ISP, which is basically what I'm talking about.

Turns out I can use a 'dry line' (no dial-tone) from the phone company
for the DSL connection, and lease straight bandwidth from a local
company that does that sort of thing. An ISP connection with no ISP,
basically. Could get upload and download speeds of about 8MB/s, or
higher. 

The cost would be about that of a cable connection.

Sounds pretty interesting.

Thanks a bunch,

Lee


-- 
BasicLinux: Small is Beautiful
http://www.basiclinux.com.ru