Specific Question

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BozoB

New member
hello Everyone,

I apologize if the question has been asked before.

I am thinking about starting a website that has the following features:

  • a Forum
    a "wikipedia" /user editable type of section
    a section for streaming of video, audio, and other files
    a page for member sign-up and payment acceptance

My questions is, what kind of webhosting service should I look for? What kind of bandwidth should I be seeking out?

Thank you very much for your time!!
 
This is a very broad question. Many parameters depend on how many visitors do you plan to attract. Usually Linux host is better solution for many things.
 
Linux is better option for you, as far as bandwidth is concern it depends on the traffic, this might be extended later on as well.
 
BozoB said:
hello Everyone,

I apologize if the question has been asked before.

I am thinking about starting a website that has the following features:

  • a Forum
    a "wikipedia" /user editable type of section
    a section for streaming of video, audio, and other files
    a page for member sign-up and payment acceptance

My questions is, what kind of webhosting service should I look for? What kind of bandwidth should I be seeking out?

Thank you very much for your time!!
Click to expand...
Some questions - Do you plan to process credit cards transactions on your site, or via a 3rd party (PayPal) provider? Have you formulated any analysis of projected traffic (bandwidth). Are you server literate - meaning, do you have the technical expertise to manage your own server? Do you have a range of disk space in mind that would suit your site? What type of marketing strategy will you be launching - meaning, are you planning on a fast return on your money, or is your plan to grow this in stages? Think about signing with a provider who has an upgrade path, should your site grow exponentially, as I'm guessing you hope it will.

To the succcess of your new site - :thumbsup:
 
Steve touched on the payment aspect of things.. If you're going to be accepting payments via a third party like Paypal then you may not need one, but otherwise you'll need a SSL certificate which of course requires a dedicated IP address.

I'd personally suggest starting out on a shared host, and as your needs grow you can determine whether going vps or dedicated makes sense.
 
The part that concerns me is the streaming video part. How much bandwidth would you be using? Also, are you allowing users to upload videos much like you're allowing them to edit the WIKI?

Shared is probably a good start, as long as you have an upgrade strategy in place and are able to upgrade quickly if the need arises.
 
I am thinking about starting a website that has the following features
Click to expand...
Before you start, you may need to do a reality check and ask yourself if you know how much work it will take to manage and grow a community like it looks like you're trying to do.

Then, you can worry about the hosting. Although, as mentioned, for the video streaming, you should consider a fairly robust solution such as managed dedicated servers ($xxx-$x,xxx per month at least).
 
I would like to hear more about this, seems like a good project. A large one but a good one. Have you even looked around for those who will be helping with this (if you take care of the hosting through whatever comapany, who is the person building this empire?). Would like to hear more, keep us posted!
 
Hi There, streaming content can get expensive from a bandwidth standpoint. Start simple, Use a shared hosting account with a blog style web site linked to a forum. Using PayPal to process your financial transactions/donations will offload some cost and for streaming content use the following:

http://blip.tv/faq

or www.revver.com

You can embed the streaming media into your site and not have to worry about bandwidth charges.

Best of Luck,
Chris
 
As you are looking to have a good amount of Content on your website, I think you should start of with a VPS hosting package for now and Upgrade to a Dedicated server later on when the Requirements increase.
As you will have Videos on your website, the Bandwidth Consumption could be High depending on the number of Visitors on your website.

I wouldn't suggest you to start off with a Shared hosting package as you are looking to Host Videos. Also, as you are looking to have Videos etc. it might be possible that you would require a 3rd party application to be hosted and it is not possible to Install a 3rd party Application with a Shared hosting package. However, if you choose a VPS then you will be able to Install the 3rd party application as you will have Full Root access to your VPS.

Choose a Reliable Hosting provider who provides 24x7 Assistance so that you can contact him at any point of time if you need any assistance.
 
LOL...WOW. I didn't expect so much replies. Just that alone shows me how great of a community this really is. from the bottom of my heart, Thank you for your time.
my replies will begin shortly. Sorry for the overload!

Bozo
 
Amdinistrator said:
This is a very broad question. Many parameters depend on how many visitors do you plan to attract. Usually Linux host is better solution for many things.
Click to expand...

I really don't know how many visitors. I just came up with the idea a few days ago, and the one area where I know absolutely nothing about is this aspect. I have been studying business for quite sometime as well as the required subject in order for the site content. I just don't know the details that go on behind.
 
Steve-Hostirian said:
Some questions - Do you plan to process credit cards transactions on your site, or via a 3rd party (PayPal) provider? Have you formulated any analysis of projected traffic (bandwidth). Are you server literate - meaning, do you have the technical expertise to manage your own server? Do you have a range of disk space in mind that would suit your site? What type of marketing strategy will you be launching - meaning, are you planning on a fast return on your money, or is your plan to grow this in stages? Think about signing with a provider who has an upgrade path, should your site grow exponentially, as I'm guessing you hope it will.

To the succcess of your new site - :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I am not sure about the credit card aspect, but thank you for bringing it up. off the top of my head, i think it would be much easier for my potential customers to not have to sign up for paypal. however, i do know that paypal is very trusted. how would I go about offering multiple payment optinos?

No, I haven't formulated any traffic projections. I will definitely be doing the required research, but I just haven't had the time. As I said earlier, I just came up with the idea a couple days ago and i just haven't taken the time.

I will be honest, I am not server literate, but i am a quick learner and willing to do my best. worse comes to worst, I'll bring in an expert.

No, i do not plan on a quick return of my money. the way I see it, a business is like a baby. the first stage of life requires me giving the required TLC and nurturing.

I recently got laid off:shaky: so i have nothing but time:thumbup: and motivation:agree:.

Thank you very much for your time my friend. you bring up valuable questions.
 
handsonhosting said:
The part that concerns me is the streaming video part. How much bandwidth would you be using? Also, are you allowing users to upload videos much like you're allowing them to edit the WIKI?

Shared is probably a good start, as long as you have an upgrade strategy in place and are able to upgrade quickly if the need arises.
Click to expand...

I am not sure exactly how much bandwidth to expect. I don't even know how to begin the research of this part. Like I said, I am a total noob to this aspect of the game. i thank you for your help.

No, I didn't plan on allowing people to upload their own videos because this can easily be done through youtube.

Can you suggest any learning resources that I should look into?
 
webfreak08 said:
Before you start, you may need to do a reality check and ask yourself if you know how much work it will take to manage and grow a community like it looks like you're trying to do.

Then, you can worry about the hosting. Although, as mentioned, for the video streaming, you should consider a fairly robust solution such as managed dedicated servers ($xxx-$x,xxx per month at least).
Click to expand...

what's the purpose for checking with reality? I don't think she'll be a customer of mine.:D Just playing.

I know that it will take work and a lot of time. as I said in an earlier post, i have nothing but time and motivation. I am also prepared to fail, but i don't want to. that is why i come to a good place (such as this) to ask the knowledgable members (such as yourself) what i need to be looking for.

Thank you for your time as well. it is valuable and i am honored to be given a part of it.
 
shockym said:
I would like to hear more about this, seems like a good project. A large one but a good one. Have you even looked around for those who will be helping with this (if you take care of the hosting through whatever comapany, who is the person building this empire?). Would like to hear more, keep us posted!
Click to expand...

If you're really interested in knowing more about it, PM me and I'll gladly share more details:)

I am going to start small and build it large...hopefully. I am more concerned about building the community than about the money. if I don't make anything, I'll be no worse off than i am now. Just as with a baby, you can't expect it to come to this world and support you.
 
postasite said:
Hi There, streaming content can get expensive from a bandwidth standpoint. Start simple, Use a shared hosting account with a blog style web site linked to a forum. Using PayPal to process your financial transactions/donations will offload some cost and for streaming content use the following:

http://blip.tv/faq

or www.revver.com

You can embed the streaming media into your site and not have to worry about bandwidth charges.

Best of Luck,
Chris
Click to expand...

that was the initial idea, to use a dedicate video hosting site, but I would like to make it where we're the only place to get the content...at least initially. LOL. Why would guys come to our site for the content when they can simply go to youtube for it?
 
Thank You!!!

for everyone that didn't ask me questions, but took the tiem to reply to the thread. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

But, that goes for everyone here.

My next question is, what learning resources would you suggest i seek out?

My goal is to create a great community and to in order to do that, i should be the best that I can be. if anything, to be able to know what i am talking about when finding someone who can do it better.

Seriously everyone, thank you all for your time!
 
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