RE: [PCTECH] Web site time required

[Ken Sims <mdrg5003@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jeff -

> No, I just don't know how to ask the question, I guess.  Is there a big
> difference time-wise (assuming we already have to maintain it) if we also
> host it.

No.  Once everything is up and running, except when you make content 
changes that also require configuration changes, the main thing is log 
management, which is an issue you already have to handle for your mail server.

For you personally, I would recommend hosting in-house because:

1. You're already paying for a static IP address so it's going to be 
cheaper to host in-house.

2. Since you already run a mail server, you have some experience with 
servers, so the learning curve is not going to be as much for as for people 
with no internet server experience.

3. If you went with an outside hosting service, you would have to be 
careful to get one that would be compatible with you having an in-house 
mail server.  With both in-house, that's not an issue.

4. You will have complete control over the server.  For my personal 
domains, I started out virtual hosting, but that wasn't enough control so I 
went to a virtual server, but that wasn't enough, so I now have my email 
and web server in-house (in-apartment if you want to be picky! <G>).  I'm 
MUCH happier with it this way.

5. If you run it on the i5 or some other existing hardware, you will have 
no hardware costs (unless the load gets to be enough that you need a 
hardware upgrade to handle, which is doubtful).

6. If your i5 already has the software or it is a no charge situation to 
install it, or you do something with Apache on Linux, your software costs 
are zero or minimal.

7. If you want the website to interact with your i5 applications or even 
just the i5 database, it will be MUCH easier if it is hosted in-house, and 
easier yet if it is on the i5 rather than some other hardware.

Even if you host in-house, you can still have the design and/or ongoing 
content maintenance done by an outside company.  Or you can have that 
in-house as well.

--
Ken
http://www.ke9nr.net/
Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of 
my employer or anyone in their right mind.