Geek Appeal?

[geminigirl]

So...

I'd really like to have my very own domain. I even have a name for it, not yet registered though.

Thing is, I don't have the skills or knowledge to do the hosting type things. I'd really want to be able to handle mail, IRC and possibly a web page if I ever get unlazy enough to write one...

So...how would I go about finding this...or, is there anyone who has the resources to do it for me?

Comments

[quillon.livejournal.com]

I know that you have to go to one of the domain registering services on the net first.. There's lots of them and I believe that registering a .com or .net domain name is something like $75/year, the last time I checked.

Once you've paid for the domain, you have to find a host server to host your domain. There is where all of your POP mail and web storage space would come through. Not all domain host servers host newsgroups and the such (many consider them extras now.. go figure) so you might want to check before you sign any sort of contract with a service.

That's really about it. There's more to it than that, but that'll get you your webspace and domain name and then you'll be golden to start building pages and sending and receiving email under your new domain.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

First, figure out your budget. Mail and a web page you can do pretty cheaply. Running an IRC server might be a little more expensive.

I've heard good things about Dreamhost. Your ISP might offer something. Try to find packages targeted towards personal use, rather than business, because businesses always get charged more.

[geminigirl]

IRC Server? Heck no-that's way more than I need. I just one one that will support a text based client...as in "Can I have shell access from you or not?" because that's really all I want.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

Oh, okay. When you said you wanted hosting for IRC, I assumed you meant that you wanted to run a server. Shell accounts are pretty easy to find.

The other thing you might want to do is have a domain that just redirects to your existing web space and account. I registered my name as a .com domain at Dotster, but everything just redirects to my account and web space at Panix. It's much cheaper that way.

I can do it

[mattp.livejournal.com]

Shell access might take a while for me to set up, but there'll be no problems doing email and web page hosting. Email me (at my livejournal account) and we can discuss the details.

Matt.... feeling helpful.

[bitty.livejournal.com]

Shell accounts are pretty easy to find

not down there, actually. shell providers were dropping like flies. most shell providers in the DC area are only providing to those who are grandfathered in.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

I wasn't thinking in terms of shell account with dial-up access. I was thinking more in terms of domain hosting with attached shell account, and connectivity via some other source.

[geminigirl]

If all I wanted was a shell account, that wouldn't be impossible to find. Panix does shells. I need the hosting part.

But matthewp says he can help out...

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

Panix does hosting too. www.queeragenda.org, which I helped set up, is running on a Panix server and they have a Panix shell account from which to manage it. It costs about $100/year for the shell account plus $50/year for the domain hosting part.