What do you want in a free host?

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Input is very important to me, and I will have a site forum as soon as I set one up. Anyone who wants to know when it launches, as that is the time to ask about things like beta testing, submit your email at the site.

I have added a few sections to the site. Any thoughts on them?

[gemcotechnologies]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Cpanel is in the plan. I'm not sure about Fantastico though. I googled it and all I can find are hosts offering it, with no clue what it is or how to get it. So what does it do and what are any security risks associated with it?

Fantasitco is a cpanel add on that allows users to install/remove several different scripts. You can set up in WHM the scripts/programs that the user is allowd to install. Most servers you get with cPanal installed come with Fantastico. Depending on your host you may have to actually do the initial set up using the cPanel Add Ons feature in WHM, then when you set up your packages you add this just like the features list. It is a nice set of script/programs here is a quick partial list:

Blogs
b2evolution
Nucleus
pMachine Free
WordPress

Content Management
Drupal
Geeklog
Joomla
Mambo Open Source
PHP-Nuke
phpWCMS
phpWebSite
Post-Nuke
Siteframe
TYPO3
Xoops

Customer Relationship
Crafty Syntax Live Help
Help Center Live
osTicket
PerlDesk
PHP Support Tickets
Support Logic Helpdesk
Support Services Manager

Discussion Boards
SMF
PHP BB

E-Commerce
CubeCart
OS Commerce
Zen Cart

F.A.Q.
FAQMasterFlex

Guestbooks
ViPER Guestbook

Hosting Billing
AccountLab Plus
phpCOIN

Image Galleries
4Images Gallery
Coppermine Photo Gallery
Gallery

Mailing Lists
PHPlist

Polls and Surveys
Advanced Poll
phpESP
PHPSurveyor

Project Management
dotProject
PHProjekt

Site Builders
Soholaunch Pro Edition
Templates Express

Wiki
TikiWiki
PhpWiki

Other Scripts
Dew-NewPHPLinks
Moodle
Noahs Classifieds
Open-Realty
phpAdsNew
PHPauction
phpFormGenerator
WebCalendar

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

That's a pretty long list. For the sake of not confusing the user, I think it would be best to introduce those features gradually. Can you tell me if any are not necessary until a site launch.

[gemcotechnologies]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

You don't have to use any of them if you don't want to. Some of them will most likely not be used by most free hosting cusotmers at all such as the Customer Relationship, ecommerce, and Hosting Billing. The others you can set up so that only some are available at the different stages of the process.

i.e.
Newbie - doesnt get anything
Basic - only gets a few like guest book, mail list, FAQ, and polls and surveys
Advanced - gets what Basic gets plus blogs, discussion boards, image galleries
Expert - gets the ability to have everything except the ones listed above

You can mix and match any combination of them for each group as you see fit.

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Note: You can match the account types with different stages of building a website, that should be completed in this order to get success:

Newbie = Planning
Basic = Improving
Advanced = Expanding
Expert = Optimizing

Remember, Newbie needs access to all features that they would need to properly build a sample of what they want for their website. Basic needs access to everything to make that website fully functional, error free, and efficient. Advanced would need access to any tools for expanding. And finally Expert gets the super advanced tools.

[sb225]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

most of them makes simple websites so they dont use all stuff like this I too make simple websites

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

I encourage simplicity - if the site is too complicated no one will be able to use it. But different users will use a different set of features and having more possibilities is always good.

[LikuiD]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

I usually signup to free hosts just to test my Php scripts
So I usually just need a host that allows Php scripts to run freely on it with 1 or 2 MySQL databases

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Mine is geared specifically for people to encourage their site building and an actual finished result. But you will find those features here...

Maybe you could build your website to show off cool PHP example scripts?

[sb225]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

I usually signup to free hosts just to test my Php scripts
So I usually just need a host that allows Php scripts to run freely on it with 1 or 2 MySQL databases

what sceipts you are making and how many you made ?

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Him or me?

[Joe]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Customer support is very important to me. This is my criteria in staying with a hosting service.

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Thats one of the main features. Your site is reviewed at every stage and you are paired with an expert to answer your questions. Our goal is to make your site reach its potential.

For the first while that expert will be me but eventually I may be able to assemble a team to help when we get large volumes of websites. Answering visitor suggestions and comments is always something I've enjoyed doing - and I never get enough of (except this person who decides to send me spam daily through my contact form).

[Timby]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Cpanel is always a winner in my books, can't go past it. Also php support is a great idea especially if people are just starting off in the crazy mixed up world of web design!

[azoundria]

Re: What do you want in a free host?

Both of those are standard.