Free/Non-Profit Hosting Providers? 8
Caspian asks: "I run a non-profit Web/shell/e-mail/MU* hosting service called The Web Union, or TWU for short. I've run this service for two years now, and it's been non-profit for quite a large percentage of that time. We all know the occasional hacker/geek who'll give a few friends accounts on her/his machine, but I'm wondering how many people are doing what I'm doing, and actually attempting to run a full-scale, full-service, "professional"-quality hosting provider for The Masses on a non-profit basis?"
Nyx is one (Score:1)
The NOSPIN Group (Score:2)
We also host mailing lists, provide CGI and other scripting access, as well as the usual gamut of services.
Probably the hardest part of doing something like this is maintaining the right kind of hardware on a shoestring budget. Fortunately, hardware prices are going the right direction and almost all of the software we use is GPL'd.
The work is a labor of love, more than anything else. Those of us involved in the company tend to donate more than just time...when a hard drive dies, or we need a new motherboard, we'll often fund the purchase from our own pockets. About the only thing that actually is covered is the Internet access, via a 1024Kbps DSL connection. And all of the hardware sits in my spare bedroom. But it all works and we're able to put every dollar we receive directly into the company, something that most non-profits have a hard time doing.
=h=
LinuxAve (Score:1)
LinuxAve [linuxave.com] has been doing this for a long time. Previosly they were called LinuxBox but merged with another company and switched names. I've been with them a couple of years. New accounts will have to wait for full domain hosting (if ever like SourceForge). Not the fastest server but a great place to put your stuff and excellent, commercial grade user support.
Other notable projects include SourceForge and Frestmeat's Area51.
Rootsweb (Score:2)
yet another one (Score:1)
I limit it to mostly just people I know, but I think I'm doing pretty well with maybe 50 to 60 accounts. (Please don't all go sign up! thanks...)
Just my two pence. (And I'm not from that island.)
Non-profit is not always cheaper! (Score:1)
Doing things right, not cutting any corners, can be more expensive than operating as a company that expects to eventually turn a profit. And if you don't plan to make money, paying the difference out of your own pocket eventually can get to be painful.
Our Co-op is organized as a non-profit Illinois corporation, and has managed to break even on the first year of operations, but only by passing along the actual costs of operation to the membership- this ends up with prices only slightly lower than with a traditional 'for profit' ISP, but with much better service levels.
You have to decide on what is important for you- and for a hosting provider, covering the operating losses out of your pocket isn't viable in the long run. Once you accumulate a wife, house, kids, your prorities change, and your expensive 'hobby' starts to take a backseat to other budget items.
To be viable, any ISP must cover it's own cost of operation and growth, regardless of their 'non-profit' or 'for-profit' status, or they will fail.
SDF (Score:2)
Re:SDF (Score:1)
apparently, they deleted the shell i was using, which means i'm screwed....
pity my poor dumbass!
on the other hand, sdf is a great service. the mail usually works, and the webspace is a bonus....I really have no complaints (nor can I really complain about losing my shell, since it's a free service. I don't expect the world, you know :)