advice about domain names and host

[flabob]

it's been awhile since ive been here, but ya'll helped me when i was learning "html" codes... i have been using tripod,as a free web host,but i want to get a ,dot com name..something like bobsworld.net.

But there is so much info out there,im getting confused. All i want to do is transfer my little info from tripod..to my domain...how do i do this..and can you guys recommend a place thats where i can read..or just learn how to get your doname out there.

Some sites.like godaddy.com...give alot of info, but im still lost..thx for any help...i basically just want to put a personal home page to a dot.com :O))

bob

[MstrBob]

Domain names and hosting are two very different things. You can always buy a domain name, and it will point to wherever you want. But you also need a host which will store your files on a server connected to the internet. I'm not sure if the free tripod server supports name servers. Normally a good host will have servers which you can point your domain name to.

[spufi]

I just went and wrote a really long post on this, and then I figured I needed very little of what I wrote. :P You will need a domain name and webhost. Some webhost will offer domain name registration for you. Some of them may keep the rights of the domain name to themselves. In this case, if you move to a different webhost, you have to let your domain name become unregistered, so you can reregister it. This can obviously cause you issues down the road. If the webhost gives you the rights to the domain name, then that's the more ideal situation. You can register your domain name seperately from where you get your webhosting. Even in the most complex set up I had to do, all I did was register a domain name at GoDaddy, fill out most of my info there and select the "park" option, get webhosting, and then go fill in the rest of my info at GoDady to "unpark" my domain name. After that I was free to upload all of my files. If that sounds complex, it's not.

[flabob]

thx spufi and Bob....

im getting prices from godaddy.com of 4.95 /month..to 39.95/mnthly...

so would you guys say that paying about 70 to 100 bucks a year is good for a domain name..and web hosting...cause i do need very little space....bluehost has a free domain name..and web hosting for 6.95 amonth..and they have a toll free help line...would this be a good deal for something like i want..thx again for your time...and Spufi..do you have a link of that tut you wrote about hosts,i can read?...

bob

[MstrBob]

I've only heard good things about GoDaddy. I know a number of members on this forum bought their domain names through them. There hosting looks good and very affordable. If you don't need a lot of space, then you could buy their Economy Plan, if you want to be hosted by them. If not you can shop around, though that's a very good price for what they offer. But you might want to shop around before buying hosting, the more you look around the better offers you will see. I know since I've bought my hosting I've seen several companies with better offers, but I'm happy just the same. Hosting on the internet today is relatively cheap.

[flabob]

ok...thx Bob

i saw on go daddy..a econamy plan for 3.95 a month..but it says somethingonly for linux?... 7.95 for windows.... i would have to take the windows eh?...since i use windows,,,im just guessing :O))

bob

[MstrBob]

No. Linux is the operating system the server is running. It doesn't matter what computer you run. Many people say Linux is more secure or whatever. In your case, you'll find that it's cheaper. You don't need windows unless you use ASP or ASP.net (and even then, you don't always need windows).

[spufi]

Originally posted by flabob
thx spufi and Bob....

im getting prices from godaddy.com of 4.95 /month..to 39.95/mnthly...

so would you guys say that paying about 70 to 100 bucks a year is good for a domain name..and web hosting...cause i do need very little space....bluehost has a free domain name..and web hosting for 6.95 amonth..and they have a toll free help line...would this be a good deal for something like i want..thx again for your time...and Spufi..do you have a link of that tut you wrote about hosts,i can read?...

bob

Technically speaking, that per month is for web hosting and not for a domain name. A domain name cost around $7 per year from GoDaddy.

If you use GoDaddy as your webhost and you get your domain name from them, they should be able to set everything up for you. I've never bought both from GoDaddy, so I'm not 100% sure on it. Let's say you buy the domain name first. Fill out the forms. When it gives you the option of filling in the namespace, or parking it. Park it. Finish the order. Buy the webhosting. You should get an e-mail saying what the nameserver is. It should look something like ns1.webhost.com and ns2.webhost.com. Grab both nameservers and go back and update the info. You will be given links to where you need to go to do these type of things.

Just adding on to what MstrBob said, if they say a server uses Linux then they are generally saying that you will use PHP and MYSQL on that server. If a Windows server is being used, it generally means you will be using ASP/ASP.NET and MS SQL. If you know what server side language and database you are using, then the choice becomes obvious. If it doesn't matter, go with the cheaper option. :)

[flabob]

ahhhhhh..ok..cool...

now things are a little clearer i appreciate your time guys...ill go with godaddy...it's a good price,and my first domain,so thx for the info...

ill let ya know how it turns out...thx again Spufi and Bob :O))

bob

[PeOfEo]

I am going to be using godaddy myself for an article site I have been slacking off on and not working on as much as I should be. I will be on one of their windows servers. I sugest using windows over linux because the windows servers support more stuff (asp, asp.net, php) and support mssql. It is a better deal. That is not to say the linux plans are not good too, but both plans cost the same.

[spufi]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
I am going to be using godaddy myself for an article site I have been slacking off on and not working on as much as I should be. I will be on one of their windows servers. I sugest using windows over linux because the windows servers support more stuff (asp, asp.net, php) and support mssql. It is a better deal. That is not to say the linux plans are not good too, but both plans cost the same.

From what they said they are looking for a cheap deal and the Linux only server is the cheapest deal. The next level up is Linux and Windows servers. If they can live with the PHP/MySQL requirement, it's the most logical option.

[flabob]

thx Ya'll :O))

i went with godaddy..and the linux..cause my stuff is really simple..i appreciate your advice..so far.it looks good, but do you usually have to wait a couple of days for them to let you use their "ftp"...im waitng to learn and transfer my stuff to the domain i bought :O))...thx again for your help...im sure ill be back with more questions <grin>

bob

[spufi]

Originally posted by flabob
thx Ya'll :O))

i went with godaddy..and the linux..cause my stuff is really simple..i appreciate your advice..so far.it looks good, but do you usually have to wait a couple of days for them to let you use their "ftp"...im waitng to learn and transfer my stuff to the domain i bought :O))...thx again for your help...im sure ill be back with more questions <grin>

bob

It depends, but a couple of days isn't out of the norm.