[s0M30n3]

Ok what would be involved in hosting websites, would i just buy a server (acctually buy one ) and what would i do from there

[ADZ]

If you have a machine lying around (doesnt even have to be a fast one) - you can turn it into a web server.

You have a couple of choices:

Windows or Linux

Then from there you have which version of Linux or windows. It is quite an involved job to get one set up for the first time, but it is very handy once set up.

[Blind_Arrow]

you'll require following to set up a web server:

1: a PC, doesnt have to be fast, a P-2 266 with 128MB ram will be ok to host 4-8 web sites with normal traffic. but hard drives have to be really good ones, S-ATA or SCSI.

2: Static IP (can be bought from any internet service provider)

3: a web server software over your operating system, normally Windows comes with web server built in, WIn98/Me have PWS (small, not recommended), 2000 and XP Professional comes with IIS Builtin. thats a pretty strong web server,

else than that, you can even download and install the Apache server, that is free and is most popular at the moment, as it can work platform independently. can be downlaoded from www.apache.org

and here you are, ready to deploy your web host.

*, a piece of advice, dont host porn sites , or i'll be the first to hack and shut down your pc

[willsko87]

lol...good call

[s0M30n3]

Ok so what do i do about getting my site on the internet, how to i link my computer to a www.wotever.com

[Blind_Arrow]

once you got Static IP address, you can make folders in your space that is by default picked up by web clients

in IIS (windows server) that folder is 'wwwroot'

in Apache, it is 'httpdocs' i believe.

so what you do is, make sub folders in these web folders, and asign them u/n p/w etc. and atttach domain settings from them, these can be done via web server softarre settings.

for giving users GUI look, you'll have to nstall some other third party softwares like controlpanel and different names blah blah.