Comments on: Should You or Shouldn’t You Host Your Own Webapps http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps A blog about software Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Chad Stephen Albert http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1122 Chad Stephen Albert Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:36:39 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1122 I think that there's actually two different issues here. First, is whether to admin your own site (i.e wordpress vs wordpress.com or drupal vs. blogger), and then whether or not you want to actually self host (put a server in your house). Some of the hosting companies have outrageously fantastic support departments (like Hostgator), who can help users with the most basic level of computer skills get up and running pretty quickly, and can even help you fix some of the mistakes you will inevitably make. Hostgator helped me fix tons of things I broke when I was a customer. Plus, most of the hosting companies will make efforts to ensure that the default config on their servers are fairly secure, while helping you make changes to set up features you want. Running a home server (true self-hosting), really isn't worth most of the issues you'll deal with. Network security, database security and maintenance, and server hardening aren't worth the hassle if you're not an uber geek. I think that there’s actually two different issues here. First, is whether to admin your own site (i.e wordpress vs wordpress.com or drupal vs. blogger), and then whether or not you want to actually self host (put a server in your house).
Some of the hosting companies have outrageously fantastic support departments (like Hostgator), who can help users with the most basic level of computer skills get up and running pretty quickly, and can even help you fix some of the mistakes you will inevitably make. Hostgator helped me fix tons of things I broke when I was a customer. Plus, most of the hosting companies will make efforts to ensure that the default config on their servers are fairly secure, while helping you make changes to set up features you want.
Running a home server (true self-hosting), really isn’t worth most of the issues you’ll deal with. Network security, database security and maintenance, and server hardening aren’t worth the hassle if you’re not an uber geek.

]]> By: Dane Hesseldahl http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1084 Dane Hesseldahl Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:22:05 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1084 I agree with Maciej. For 95% of people just getting WP running on an external host is a nightmare. On even the most basic of WP installs users will run up against things like ".htacess files" and terminal commands like "chmod 755 wp-content/uploads" - concepts that I've seen experienced programmers struggle with. I find myself trying to push as many people as I can to existing hosted services - such as wordpress.com - which now allows you to point your own custom domain at your hosted blog. Maybe I'm jaded. Sorry. I agree with Maciej.

For 95% of people just getting WP running on an external host is a nightmare.

On even the most basic of WP installs users will run up against things like “.htacess files” and terminal commands like “chmod 755 wp-content/uploads” – concepts that I’ve seen experienced programmers struggle with.

I find myself trying to push as many people as I can to existing hosted services – such as wordpress.com – which now allows you to point your own custom domain at your hosted blog.

Maybe I’m jaded. Sorry.

]]> By: sstrudeau http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1080 sstrudeau Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:29:16 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1080 As I <a href="http://twitter.com/sstrudeau/status/4150061801" rel="nofollow">tweeted yesterday</a> people who choose to self-host are often making the same mistake as people who will choose to drive instead of fly, because they are afraid to fly; even though it is much safer. It comes down to control. In most cases, a hosted service is going to be more reliable & less of a hassle, and you rarely need the control even if you really really want it. As I tweeted yesterday people who choose to self-host are often making the same mistake as people who will choose to drive instead of fly, because they are afraid to fly; even though it is much safer. It comes down to control. In most cases, a hosted service is going to be more reliable & less of a hassle, and you rarely need the control even if you really really want it.

]]> By: Gina Trapani http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1079 Gina Trapani Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:15:41 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1079 Love that Atwood quote and post, thanks! Love that Atwood quote and post, thanks!

]]> By: emailtoid.net/i/9667040d/… http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1076 emailtoid.net/i/9667040d/… Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:52:34 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1076 I think Jeff Atwood said it best <a href="http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001145.html" rel="nofollow">Don't Reinvent The Wheel, Unless You Plan on Learning More About Wheels</a>. I think Jeff Atwood said it best Don’t Reinvent The Wheel, Unless You Plan on Learning More About Wheels.

]]> By: Thursday Bram http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1072 Thursday Bram Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:21:47 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1072 While it's certainly not fool-proof, WordPress has been evolving to the point that anyone can upload a zip file of a plugin or update to the newest version through simply clicking around. It's a little scary that people don't test out updates or plugins to make sure that their blogs won't break before they install such things, but it's definitely moving towards a system that doesn't require a lot of tech knowledge to maintain. While it’s certainly not fool-proof, WordPress has been evolving to the point that anyone can upload a zip file of a plugin or update to the newest version through simply clicking around. It’s a little scary that people don’t test out updates or plugins to make sure that their blogs won’t break before they install such things, but it’s definitely moving towards a system that doesn’t require a lot of tech knowledge to maintain.

]]> By: Michael Wyres http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1063 Michael Wyres Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:44:18 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1063 My take on this is that if you are of the inclination to self-host, chances are you're going to be (largely) about to cope with that. Anyone who would not have the ability/nouse/eptness to self-host is simply not generally going to make the decision to self-host. My take on this is that if you are of the inclination to self-host, chances are you’re going to be (largely) about to cope with that. Anyone who would not have the ability/nouse/eptness to self-host is simply not generally going to make the decision to self-host.

]]> By: Barrett Bowen http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1061 Barrett Bowen Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:51:20 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1061 I'm on your side here. Call me an extremist, but I'm revamping my site to learn some PHP, hone my CSS skills, and working to do the logo/graphics stuff myself. Seemed logical since I'm a coder sort who dabbles in graphics as a hobby. It's all looking good BTW. I’m on your side here. Call me an extremist, but I’m revamping my site to learn some PHP, hone my CSS skills, and working to do the logo/graphics stuff myself. Seemed logical since I’m a coder sort who dabbles in graphics as a hobby. It’s all looking good BTW.

]]> By: Gina Trapani http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1060 Gina Trapani Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:22:52 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1060 But even using WordPress' "famous five-minute install"--which is impressive--you've still got to keep the application updated over time, especially when <a href="http://wordpress.org/development/2009/08/2-8-4-security-release/" rel="nofollow">security holes</a> can take down your whole blog. Not to mention plug-ins, which also require regular updates (and subsequently you have to test to make sure the updates work correctly). Maciej's right that it does require some time to maintain a self-hosted application, but the tradeoff is the customization you get. But even using WordPress’ “famous five-minute install”–which is impressive–you’ve still got to keep the application updated over time, especially when security holes can take down your whole blog. Not to mention plug-ins, which also require regular updates (and subsequently you have to test to make sure the updates work correctly). Maciej’s right that it does require some time to maintain a self-hosted application, but the tradeoff is the customization you get.

]]> By: Thursday Bram http://smarterware.org/3287/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-host-your-own-webapps#comment-1059 Thursday Bram Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:17:10 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=3287#comment-1059 I think there are levels of self-hosting — there's a major difference between using one-click set up to host your own WordPress blog and trying to set up a more advanced application. Not everyone should learn more about hosting an application — but they certainly shouldn't rule it out just because it seems a little more advanced. Personally, I like having that level of access if I need to tweak something — or if something goes wrong and I can't get tech support on the line fast enough. I think there are levels of self-hosting — there’s a major difference between using one-click set up to host your own WordPress blog and trying to set up a more advanced application.

Not everyone should learn more about hosting an application — but they certainly shouldn’t rule it out just because it seems a little more advanced. Personally, I like having that level of access if I need to tweak something — or if something goes wrong and I can’t get tech support on the line fast enough.

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