Toolbox Activity 2: Running your own server

Written by: Jonathan Briggs

October 8, 2008 [3497 views]

This is a fairly straightforward activity but it will need to be spread out over several days so don't leave it till the last minute.

We want you to buy and run your own server space and we'll use it for lots of the forthcoming activities.

The full details of the activity are here... Toolbox Activity 2 (88 KB). Download and read carefully before you proceed.

As usual there are two parts. Here are the links to the two surveys you will need to fill in to complete the activities.

Part 1 http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228C8YL7SSZ

Part 2 http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228C8ZB7T92

The deadline for both parts is Midnight, Tuesday 14th October.

If you have problems or questions please use the form below to ask them rather than email. If you mark your comment PRIVATE then I will not publish it. I may however reword your comment so that other people can benefit from the answer.

Recent comments:

On October 11, 2008 at 9:10 AM, Jermaine Reid wrote:

Are we meant to get the domain name from the same people that offer hosting?

Jonathan replies: yes - it makes things much easier.

On October 11, 2008 at 4:11 PM, Manal Abdullahi (PRIVATE) wrote:

i was wondering which operating system i will need to use in order to access my web disk on my webiste i am not sure whether to use windows,apple or linux or whether to use the actual operating system that i have on my computer which is windows vista

Jonathan replies: The system on your own computer does not matter but I would definitely choose Linux on your server.

On October 11, 2008 at 11:15 PM, Sameer Hussein wrote:

PRIVATE
Hi Sir, I was wondering, is there is a difference between having personal hosting and hiring a server? The reason why I ask is because I have purchased a domain name and personal hosting from 600Host UK, and am not sure if I have also loaned a server as there is no mention of me having one on the site. I have also been looking on the site for ways of starting to create the website, but there is no way of doing this, do I have to use a website manager like frontpage to create the webpages and then upload them?

Jonathan replies: You have hired "hosting space" or a "virtual server" rather than a whole machine. If you have chosen a host with Fantastico then you have several different content management/web building tools. Have a look around.

On October 12, 2008 at 11:22 AM, Kathy Waters wrote:

Hi,
Do you think it's ok to have a number in your domain name or do you think this could be confusing?

Thanks

Jonathan replies: Phones4U is an OK name but most companies who use this sort of URL buy the alternative names such as PhonesforYou, Phones4You, PhonesForYou and perhaps even Fones4You, Fones4U, FonesForYou and FonesForU. It all starts to get very expensive.

On October 13, 2008 at 9:10 AM, Anon wrote:

I have purchased a server but it is still pending. What should I do if it is still pending by tomorrow when the questionnaire is due?

Jonathan replies: Complete the survey as soon as you hear back from the hosting company. I will still accept it.

On October 13, 2008 at 11:09 AM, Waiting wrote:

I am still awaiting for a card to come through the post :-(. Can I still complete after I get it?

Jonathan replies: Yes - but do wait until you have completed the tasks before completing the survey.

On October 13, 2008 at 4:36 PM, Ali wrote:

During last weeks lecture you had shown us the web hosting websites that you had picked, further into the lecture you had realised that one of the web hosting servers did not have Fantastico, im not too sure to which web hosting company it was, could you confirm whether it was Lycos? i am going to sign up to lycos but would like confirmation before hand to see whether it fits all the criteria requirements you had mentioned.

Thanks, ps - could you type in your reply on this website

Jonathan replies: Yes - Lycos should not be used unless you are confident as it does not support Fantastico. It does have its own One Click Installer but its not as good.

On October 13, 2008 at 6:52 PM, rick wrote:

I have already done the surrvey but i have received an e-mail from the host and they hace canceled the payment, shall i just redo the survey?

Jonathan replies: You will need a working hosting server for future activities but if you have already submitted this first activity then do not worry. SImply sort out some new hosting before the next activity.

On October 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM, Yousef Gajari wrote:

Hi Jonathan
I have chosen my hosting company and I have my domain name which is www.westcool.co.uk I have paid for it to. But when I go to my website it say The page cannot be displayed. What’s the reason for that????????

Jonathan replies: Perhaps you have not yet set anything up :-)

On October 14, 2008 at 1:09 PM, Munazza wrote:

Hi Sir;
i just want to know that if once we submitted our activity 2, and then we find out that our server or chosen domain name is not working properly, and if we change the name. so do we have to do the activity again, or u will accept the first one?

Jonathan replies: no - one submission is fine

On October 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM, Pawel wrote:

I got same problems as people above me, still w8ing for acceptation of my payment -.-

Jonathan replies: I will accept submissions a bit late.

On October 14, 2008 at 11:09 PM, Salmaan Nazir wrote:

Hi Jonathon,

I've purchased a domain name and I was told I will recieve a confirmation email within 24 hours and still have not recieved it! I was hoping it would arrive before the Tuesday midnight but hasn't! :( I can't purchase hosting as my domain name has not been registered with the company! I'm completing the survey, but will my survey be accepted? I think my domain name should be up and running by Wednesday latest if I can get the confirmation email!!

Jonathan replies: See above - don't panic, just submit the survey when your payment is confirmed.

On October 14, 2008 at 11:39 PM, Carlos wrote:

PRIVATE

Hi Sir,

i have bought my server and domain but i have not been given the chance to set it up yet, so is it okay if i leave Part 2 of the survey till then?

Jonathan replies: Yes - thats fine!

On October 15, 2008 at 2:50 AM, Jamal Warsame wrote:

hi, I've completed the online registration but I've not had a text message nor an e-mail confermation from you.
Can you please get back to me on this.

Jonathan replies: I update my lists about every 10 days as it takes about an hour to transfer all the data. You should receive messages after the next update.