Setting up a simple website

[Drisos]

I know nothing of this subject.. so.. I would really need some help. What I'd like to do is set up a simple website with some text, and a guestbook. Pictures and music would be great as well, but not essential.

Free is a big plus.. as a student, money isn't abdunant. And, I don't feel like paying anything through the internet. Furthermore, it should be simple, because I don't have that much time to make myself understand the stuff.

I wonder, is this even possible to do simply?

Well.. thanks loads in advance!

[TosaInu]

Hello Drisos,

Perhaps you already have some webspace?

ISP often give you some space and an url like http://yourisp.com/drisos

Edit: that is an url actually.

[Lord Winter]

There's always freewebs or something like that.

For the technical side of it W3 schools is an amazing source for anything you want to learn.

[sapi]

On the off chance you happen to have a computer sitting around doing nothing (and on 24/7), XP Pro/Vista come with IIS installed, allowing you to host a website on your own comp with a little configuration.

An ISP webspace is the easiest way to go, though

[Tran]

...with IIS installed...

What's this?

[Lemur]

Microsoft Internet Information Services. It's a package of services you can install from your Windows XP disc, includes things like FTP server, HTTP server, and a passel of obscure features. It's very commonly used for small, inexpensive, DIY hosting. Not terribly secure, and I think it may be the most-understood-by-hackers software in the world, but it's freely included in your XP CD.

I tried to set up a simple FTP server using IIS a couple of years ago, and it was an utter nightmare. Nothing worked. I pulled large tufts of lemur fur out of my head trying to get it to go live. In the end I found out that my ISP at the time (Time Warner Cable) was blocking me from initiating service, so it wasn't even Microsoft's fault.

-edit-

Oh yeah, I was going to actually make a point, but i got lost in the painful memories. This is the thing: Almost all ISPs frown on you hosting a web site (or any server) through their connection. They usually provide a token amount of server space you can use on their hardware, but they may take all sorts of irritating steps to make hosting your own a hassle.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Can you code in HTML? If you can, you can use a program as simple as Notepad. If you can't, you can use Freewebs. They have a very easy and simple setup.

[Drisos]

Can you code in HTML? If you can, you can use a program as simple as Notepad. If you can't, you can use Freewebs. They have a very easy and simple setup.

Lol.. I have no clue how to code anything in HTML. so.. freewebs is the best choice?

I'll go try it out and report problems here. (I don't expect to get everything to work by myself )

[TosaInu]

Freewebs look decent. Free forums/sites are sometimes bombarded by banners, pop-ups and take-over screens, but this service looks good. A good suggestion Destroyer of Hope.

[sapi]

Microsoft Internet Information Services. It's a package of services you can install from your Windows XP disc, includes things like FTP server, HTTP server, and a passel of obscure features. It's very commonly used for small, inexpensive, DIY hosting. Not terribly secure, and I think it may be the most-understood-by-hackers software in the world, but it's freely included in your XP CD.

I tried to set up a simple FTP server using IIS a couple of years ago, and it was an utter nightmare. Nothing worked. I pulled large tufts of lemur fur out of my head trying to get it to go live. In the end I found out that my ISP at the time (Time Warner Cable) was blocking me from initiating service, so it wasn't even Microsoft's fault.

-edit-

Oh yeah, I was going to actually make a point, but i got lost in the painful memories. This is the thing: Almost all ISPs frown on you hosting a web site (or any server) through their connection. They usually provide a token amount of server space you can use on their hardware, but they may take all sorts of irritating steps to make hosting your own a hassle.

Yeah, it's been a bit of a pain getting things working; but on the plus side, I can now (pending final testing) bypass school filters using this computer

[pevergreen]

Yeah, it's been a bit of a pain getting things working; but on the plus side, I can now (pending final testing) bypass school filters using this computer

you...are...god

Only a bit of distance, mind bestowing legendary status at my school on me by supplying this?

[sapi]

you...are...god

Only a bit of distance, mind bestowing legendary status at my school on me by supplying this?

You'd kill my connection (and it's only up when I need it, anyway)

If I can ever get QoS working to prioritise incoming IPs from my school, then maybe

[Drisos]

Hey!

Can anyone guarantee me that freewebs will most probably keep existing, in orde to save my website from dissappearing on the long term? It's supposed to last long.

hmm.. Would there perhaps be a way to save whatever sort of file with info on the website structure. I mean, a file which contains all info, and can be used to set up the website again later, if it might disappear. like a notepad file with .html codes etc. Would this be possible when I used freewebs software?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Hey!

Can anyone guarantee me that freewebs will most probably keep existing, in orde to save my website from dissappearing on the long term? It's supposed to last long.

It will. I made one four years ago that is unused, and still there.

To save the source code, right click anywhere on the page (except on an image), click "View Source", and save the document that opens.

[Drisos]

Thanks a lot!