What
is ‘Free Web Space’?
As the name suggests, ‘Free Web Space’,
is space on the web, which provide by different web
hosting services, to launch websites, without any cost.
Free web hosts will either provide a subdomain (yourname.example.com)
(e.g. 50 megs, Byethost, Netfirms) or a directory (www.example.com/~yourname)
(e.g. GeoCities). In contrast, paid web hosts will usually
provide a second-level domain along with the hosting
(www.yourname.com). Some free hosts do allow the use
of separately-purchased domains. A free host may, very
rarely, also operate as a domain name registrar, but
their registry services are usually more expensive than
those of the others.
A few free web hosts have a basic package for free (e.g.
Freewebs), and enhanced packages (with more features)
for a cost. This allows users to try the service for
an initial trial period, to see how it performs as compared
to other hosts, and then upgrade if and when needed.
Free hosting may have the following limitations:
- Limitation on the size of each hosted file.
- Very small bandwidth per month, compared to paid
hosting.
- Not providing hotlinking of files.
- Not allowing certain file types (for example MP3,
MPEG, ZIP etc.).
- Compulsory placement of the Webhosts' Banner or
Popup ads into all web pages.
- Not providing any uptime guarantee.
Some free host may provide the following extra features:
- A web based Control Panel.
- File transfer via FTP.
- Scripting languages: PHP, ASP, Perl etc.
- Relational databases such as MySQL.
- Scheduled processes, known as cronjobs.
- Free email accounts for the domain or subdomain
hosted.
- Other features such as guestbooks (e.g. Bravenet).
Methods of providing Free Webhosting:
Some of the methods of providing Free Webhosting,
by Webhosts are listed below.
Instant Activation
Hosts with Instant Activation usually give very little
storage space and bandwidth allowance, and have lots
of limitations. The Webhosts usually require the users'
web pages to display their banner ads, textlink ads,
or popups.
Post for Hosting
This method of giving out Free Webhosting is getting
popular among Webhosts. One has to register at a Webhosts’
Forum and post there for a Free Webhosting. This too
usually has a lot of Banner or Popup Ads.
ForumApplications
This method is popular, as the hosts can decide which
applications to deny and allow. This is common when
a forum has free hosting as an addon service.
Forum Application Scripts
This is a new method to the free hosting market. The
host applies a script to the forum that the member can
use to create their account, once they have the correct
amount of posts. Examples of this new style are AHplace.com
and XtremeServers.at.
|
