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0 pointsCM306y ago0 comments

I think you've explained rather succintly while many new web developers find the whole hosting thing a confusing mess. The assumption (especially on tech forums like this one) seems to be that everyone should learn server management to get a website off the ground.

But that's a bit of a jump to make. Learning how to install a web server or edit a server's configuration isn't always the most straight forward thing in the world, and something like Digital Ocean isn't the best solution for someone who's just starting out and wants to put a few pages online.

So really, my advice for someone wanting to know where to get hosting wouldn't be to setup a VPS, but to ask yourself how much you're willing to learn about configuring servers, and to pick a managed solution or simple shared host if you're not interested in that side of things overall.

0 comments

radiator6y ago

How long would you need "to ask yourself how much you're willing to learn about configuring servers"? Because if it's more than a couple of hours, in that time you would already be at least half-way through solving the exercises I suggested.

The parent comment to mine specifically said this issue "limits my personal growth quite a bit. I really need to figure this portion out". I am not aware of any way of figuring this out other than to actually do it - at least once - and in the process of doing, perhaps also do some further reading, depending on how deep one wishes to go.

I never said that in the future you cannot choose one of the easier turn-key solutions, but you will have acquired an idea of how those things work behind the scenes.

Xelbair6y ago

I would disagree - configuring nginx/apache/whatever to just display a static site is really easy - and honestly - it dosen't take much time.

Honestly, i had more trouble helping my friend with 'simple shared hosting' CMS to setup his webpage correctly, than with setting up nginx on ubuntu for the first time.

taytus6y ago

You are missing the point. We are talking about absolute beginners.

They finished their basic markup, now they want to put it online, and you came up with Nginx and Apache? That is called out of touch.

Step back. Of course, it is easy, of course, there are bazillions of tutorials, but these people do not know any of that.

I'm a sysadmin, but once, I had no clue about anything and people commenting like you weren't helpful at all.

alexashka6y ago

If you're an absolute beginner - you don't need things to be online, just stick with local.

What do you need it to be online for?

If we want people who know web programming, basic server management on a 5$/mo VPS is something they'll need to learn, sorry.

If people want to dabble, stick with local.

If people want a business result with minimal friction - stick to instagram, facebook, medium, shopify etc. Existing platforms cover 99% of people's needs when they think they want a website. They're either trying to sell or promote something - existing platforms cover those needs very well - a website is something that fewer and fewer people will ever need to have as time goes on. This begs the question - what are people learning html/css for? Tell them the truth - we'll need fewer 'coders' in the next 30 years, either go get a real computer science degree or look for a different line of work. Just my opinion of course :)

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krapp6y ago

Every shared host I've ever used would let you just SFTP your files to the server (which, for static or PHP is all you need,) and they all come with their services already configured, and tend to work out of the box. I've only ever had to deal with the CMS when viewing logs and creating email accounts.

Configuring a server may be relatively easy, but not having to is easier.

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