Web hosting: who's your server?

[Ryan Wilkerson]

I've been working on my RR website but I haven't found a place to host it. I've got lots of pictures, so the size is getting out of control. Right now, the site that is free and provides the largest amount of space is Tripod with 50 Megs. I'm looking for a place where I can put around 200 megs. If not, I guess I'll have to split the pages up among different servers. I'd like to hear what you all have done and any advice you have for me. Thanks.
-Ryan

[bnsffan]

They best free server i have found is trainweb.org. I don't remember how much space they give you initially, but that said they grant all requests for more room. Hope this helps.

[Alan]

I use homestead at the moment for all my sites, you get 16 meg, I think, but you can add as many of these as you like.

I have applied to trainweb, but have had no reply, even after another email asking if they received the first one! Do they take a long time to reply?

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[Chessie_SD50_8563]

I am going to use a friends server.

------------------
Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System
LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!!
LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!!
I looked at DCC... and stayed DC!

[espee2]

with that much megs, you'll spend some money...LOL, Trainweb I hear is good, I would go there, but they don't host domains, you also get alot of traffic there... http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

------------------
espee2

Home: www.tunnel13.com (http://www.tunnel13.com)¤
layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale (http://tunnel13.com/newberg.html)

[Alan]

I have applied for web space from trainweb, but have heard nothing from them. I sent another query, but still nothing http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif

Do they usually take a long time to respond?

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[bnsffan]

From what I hear, Steve is swamped with work at Trainweb. It took me a couple weeks to hear back, but some say they got a response right away. I did recently apply for another site, and haven't heard anything. Not sure what is going on. I am going to keep trying.

[StickyMonk]

i also use homestead dont have many probs with it but some people have trouble viewing the pages

------------------
Matthew
wheres all the C636's????
stickymonk.com (http://www.stickymonk.com)
Matts Photo gallery (http://monkhome.homestead.com)

[Alan]

I wonder if it is anything to do with the 'combining' of webring and yahoo?

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[eddelozier]

I have my own server on my PC. I've installed Website server over three years ago and then got me a dedicated, fixed IP address and a Domain name. I have little to no limits, only the size of the PC harddrive and any CD drives. There is a cost for extra telephone line, Domain fee and fixed IP fee but I've worked in computer field for 40 years now and having my own server was just one more challenge.
I can use over 1Gb just in pictures and Web page source. Only time keeps me from building a bigger and better Web site. Plus I do like spending time with my train hobby.

Eddie

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Eddie Delozier
PRR N-scale
deloziers.com (http://www.deloziers.com)
eddelozier@yahoo.com

[espee2]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by StickyMonk:
i also use homestead dont have many probs with it but some people have trouble viewing the pages

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have trouble viewing all the homestead sites I've seen posted here at TrainBoard. I'm sure it's a webtv thing, but the pages are in frames, most frames sites I see fine, but the homestead sites all overlap, and I can't make heads or tails out of them...

------------------
espee2

Home: www.tunnel13.com (http://www.tunnel13.com)¤
layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale (http://tunnel13.com/newberg.html)

[Gats]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by espee2:
I have trouble viewing all the homestead sites I've seen posted here at TrainBoard. I'm sure it's a webtv thing, but the pages are in frames, most frames sites I see fine, but the homestead sites all overlap, and I can't make heads or tails out of them...

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've had problems as well using a regular ISP. It seems some links posted are an internal Homestead address. I need to convert them to a www address in order to access.

Gary.

[JCater]

I use homestead because my oldest son and computer guru started my site there. Have had no trouble, but put too many pics per page so loading is VERY slow. When I rebuild my railroad after my move to a new home I also intend to rebuild my site with lots of those pesky 16 meg pages... http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif. Happy Modeling!!
John

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The Colorado and Southwestern, Top of the Rockies!
http://jstrainstation.homestead.com

[virtual-bird]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JCater:
I use homestead because my oldest son and computer guru started my site there. Have had no trouble, but put too many pics per page so loading is VERY slow.
John
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same with any server.
I also had problems with Homested, and went with Geocities instead.

------------------
RR:
K, C, & Bird Butt Railroad - SP, NS, and ROCK admirer.
Its a coal mining region of a place far far away, that runs, SP, NS, and some CSX..
Also some Custom RARE Bird RR sd40-2's coming!
Era:
Time stands still round these parts, and we have everything from Steam, to Diesels of today.

[tunnel88]

eddelozier, i clicked on your link to see how quick a home server was and i got a 'Cannot find server' error...

[rhensley@anderson.cioe.co]

Ryan Wilkerson said:
>>I've been working on my RR website but I haven't found a place to host it. I've got lots of pictures, so the size is getting out of control. Right now, the site that is free and provides the largest amount of space is Tripod with 50 Megs. I'm looking for a place where I can put around 200 megs.
<<

I would have to immediately ask what on earth you have that takes 200 megs of space? You are going to have a tough time getting that for free. I am going to ASSume that your photos are larger than 640x480 and probably not in a compressed format like JPG. Perhaps you would do well to resize or resample your photos or if you don't wish to do that, pay for a site. I don't have nearly that much space in use and I decided to pay for what I have. No ads or spawned pages that way donchca know. :)

Roger

Roger Hensley
rhensley@anderson.cioe.com

== http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ ==
== Railroads of Madison County (Indiana) ==

[eddelozier]

tunnel88,
Not sure what the problem was with the URL
Web address?? It worked for me, but being on the server can trick you.
I changed the signature URL from UBB code to just a www.deloziers.com. (http://www.deloziers.com.) ??

Home server runs over 56k modem. Get an average of 50 to 60 hits per day. Can handle about 15 page request at a time. No real need for super speed. Not a business where connections count, only a family interest and train hobby pages.

If you get a chance...try again and let me know how it went.

Thanks,
..Eddie

PS: Just checked the signature on the reply. Looks like it got worse(no link). Trying again on the profile?


------------------
Eddie Delozier
PRR N-scale www.deloziers.com (http://www.deloziers.com)
eddelozier@yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by eddelozier (edited 07 August 2000).]

[mdrzycimski]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ryan Wilkerson:
I've been working on my RR website but I haven't found a place to host it. I've got lots of pictures, so the size is getting out of control. Right now, the site that is free and provides the largest amount of space is Tripod with 50 Megs. I'm looking for a place where I can put around 200 megs. If not, I guess I'll have to split the pages up among different servers. I'd like to hear what you all have done and any advice you have for me. Thanks.
-Ryan<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Try http://www.crosswinds.net they give you free UNLIMITED web space. They do a good job of keeping the servers going and updated. I don't know how they get their money, but the don't require any advertising on your web page. This is where I have my web page (see link in signature).


------------------
Mike Drzycimski
Arlington, TX
The Southview Lines
www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski (http://www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski)

[Alan]

<font color="3333ff">I got fed up waiting for a reply from trainweb, so I have signed up with xoom, so I have web space to try out my html "skills" http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

I am learning slowly, by viewing 'source' on any website feature that I like.

I still hope to get on trainweb, but I have also bookmarked the Southwinds site, Mike! Thanks for the pointer http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif </font>

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[eddelozier]

If you need a little more Web space, place your information on more than one 'Free' page sites. Then make links to your main or other sites. It's something like your own Web ring.

I have several free sites. I use them to test some ideas and hope to get more coverage with search engines. The free sites may not like you linking from theirs but most sites have many links.

Here is another site I started but do little updating to:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/4096/

..Eddie

------------------
Eddie Delozier
PRR N-scale
www.deloziers.com
eddelozier@yahoo.com

[virtual-bird]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
I am learning slowly, by viewing 'source' on any website feature that I like.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Alan.
goto http://fosi.ural.net/
download some good programs there.. Paintshop pro, and more..
This is the one you want.
HOMESITE4.5
easy Homepage editor.

or www.sausage.com.au (http://www.sausage.com.au)
HOTDOG
REAL easy to use!

------------------
RR:
K, C, & Bird Butt Railroad - SP, NS, and ROCK admirer.
Its a coal mining region of a place far far away, that runs, SP, NS, and some CSX..
Also some Custom RARE Bird RR sd40-2's coming!
Era:
Time stands still round these parts, and we have everything from Steam, to Diesels of today.

[Stourbridge Lion]

TrainWeb is hosting the DHVM

------------------
Stourbridge Lion
stourbridge_lion@yahoo.com
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (http://www.trainweb.org/dhvm)

[chessie]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
I have applied for web space from trainweb, but have heard nothing from them. I sent another query, but still nothing http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif

Do they usually take a long time to respond?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Similar situation here... I received an e-mail on 7/21 linking me to a broken site that I had initially attempted to run on Trainweb well over a year ago, but had so many problems, I let it "die". The sender wanted to know if I was still interested, and I responded "YES" and to please reset my password. Two messages later, I still have not received a response from anyone there. I can understand how they'd be busy, but you think someone responding to an e-mail that was sent directly MIGHT get some kind of priority. Anyway, they do not support Front Page extensions (FYI, good or bad). Maybe they'll come through http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

I know Tripod supports Front Page 2000, and offers 50 megs free space. I am working on a site there, as well as Xoom.

Chessie

[Alan]

<font color="3333ff">I will not go with Tripod, because of those annoying pop-ups!!</font>

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)
Alan's European Gallery (http://eurogallery.homestead.com)
Alan's British Steam Gallery (http://britishsteamgallery.homestead.com)

[Robin Matthysen]

Initially I used Followme to host my website here in Toronto. No pop ups or any kind of advertising but limited me to 10 megs and you know how easy it can get used up with pictures. I started using photopoint to store pictures which works fine but then their ads show up. Followme ran into difficulty with their system so I looked around and settled on Xoom as all it has is a non invasive banner across the top of the page. Much larger storage allowance too. No complaints because it is free.

------------------
Robin
Maberly and Tayside (http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html)

[Stourbridge Lion]

TRAINWEB UPDATE:

I talked with the Tech. Support Team about the comments that some of you have posted and they are just plain busy right now:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>The work that needs to be done at TrainWeb has increased exponentially and we still have our same old staff of 2 technical people. I'm one of those technical people and I have more to do at TrainWeb then just handle the technical end of things. As a result, our backlog has gotten significantly worse.

I would be able to keep up with the new account requests, but we are in a bit of an emergency situation. Our disk space is 95% used up and we have been preparing over the last month to move to a new server with tremendously more disk space. That has cut into my time significantly, some of which would normally be spent setting up new accounts.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They do plan on getting back with everyone once this issue is resolved and they get their heads above water again. If you are still interested with TrainWeb, I would reapply next month. They have been very helpful with The DHVM Web site and it sure beats Yahoo!

P.S. I use Front Page 2000 to build the DHVM and have not faced any issues.

------------------
Stourbridge Lion
stourbridge_lion@yahoo.com
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (http://www.trainweb.org/dhvm)

[Alan]

I have my web space with trainweb now http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

They have moved all the .org sites to a new server to solve the space problem.

I am now busy learning html, and uploading my Andersley Western site, so I can move it from Homestead, as several people have problems with viewing Homestead sites.

I am going with Gats' philosophy, and keeping it simple! (Mainly because I do not know how to make it complicated http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif )

I will get there eventually, and continue to refine it, as my skills with html increases - I hope!

------------------
Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://Andersley.homestead.com)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)

[chessie]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
I have my web space with trainweb now http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me too! Steve said they had been busy, as everyone has pointed out. I am starting my site, the North Carolina Railfan Web Site at: http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
I too need to practice my HTML skills. I am using CuteFTP to upload the photographs, and it is easy to use and works well for me.

Chessie

[chessie]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mdrzycimski:
Try http://www.crosswinds.net they give you free UNLIMITED web space. They do a good job of keeping the servers going and updated.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is Crosswinds back up yet? I could not FTP to them for almost 2 weeks... their message board stated they were making some "upgrades". I also have an e-mail account with them, but encounter more service interruptions with them than any other free mail service.

Chessie

[mdrzycimski]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by chessie:
Is Crosswinds back up yet? I could not FTP to them for almost 2 weeks... their message board stated they were making some "upgrades". I also have an e-mail account with them, but encounter more service interruptions with them than any other free mail service.

Chessie

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't do my email with them so I don't regularly check the status of the servers. However, everytime I have tried to upload to the site and everytime I have tried to access my own web page, I have been able to do so. Maybe I have just been lucky but I think the service is good.

------------------
Mike Drzycimski
Arlington, TX
The Southview Lines
www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski (http://www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski)