Web Site Design

17 public posts in this discussion.

Post 1

Hi All,

Just need a little help with a web site/page Im working on.

I want to make links that direct to files on my Hdd, so that if say someone at a Lan wants to browse the page they can download files that I have linked on my page.
Like Game Arena for example - Where the files are layed at as such and you go to a link to download to your computer. I guess instead of going - rightclick - save as.

I want it Lan based at the moment to test it out.

1. Do I need to be running a Web Server? Whats the best and free/shareware.

2. Can it just be link without the use of a Webserver, if so how can it be done.

All constructive advise will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Post 2

*Cough* Software Q&A *Cough*

Post 3

Quote from G.I.R:
1. Do I need to be running a Web Server? Whats the best and free/shareware.

2. Can it just be link without the use of a Webserver, if so how can it be done.

To host a web-page from your machine - you'll have to have a webserver running on it.

I recommend Apache, its an open-source webserver that is quite powerful and popular.

Post 4

Thanks Aravi,

Apache, looks like it needs compiling.

Do you recommend Linux or Win32 Src.

I want to run the server from my machine which is XP

But I have a linux Server.

Can I run the server from Linux, but the files can be keep on my machine?

Post 5

There are probably precompiled binaries for windows. You can share the drives under windows, mount them in linux, and serve them that way, but i expect you're doing this to cut out the need for using windows file sharing, and that method rides on top of it.

In all seriousness, nuke the webserver idea, and use an ftp server instead.

Post 6

I agree with going for normal ftp like Paladin suggests..

But if its LAN only access why not use the webserver built into win2K or XP ??

Administrative tools..
Personal web manager..

And this is gong to software.. This is the second software question I have had to move today.. everyone post in the relevant forums, of I will click delete instead of move, as its quicker.. got it ??

Post 7

Thanks Sly,

Soz for posting in wrong area.

I didnt think is was really software related, so I put it in General to get a bit of feedback about Web Site construction.

Apologies again.

Post 8

I'd have to advise against using a web page for this because in order to link to a file somewhere on your hard drive that part of your hard drive would have to be accessible through the web server.. so you would _have_ to move all of the files you want people to access to a particular folder somewhere. If you left them where they were you would effectively be making your entire hard drive available via the web which can't be a good thing.

If you're going to go to the trouble of centrally locating everything you might as well just use an ftp server.

Post 9

Raker, suggest you check out my machine at the LAN buddy...
Been their done that.......Nearly fully complete.

Post 10

Same here, I would say go the FTP server. Takes like 5 minutes to setup one and forget it.

tn1. 8)

Post 11

"SimpleServer:WWW" its easiest webserver available in the world and its free
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/sswww.htm

I took text from their web site:

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Post 12

couldn't u have a web page with the links going through an ftp server so u have the graphical display of the web page and the ease of the ftp server

Post 13

if u want to host some files for people theres a good ftp program called ServUAdmin. Its pretty good, i think its free not sure though :)

Post 14

Quote from balthasar:
couldn't u have a web page with the links going through an ftp server so u have the graphical display of the web page and the ease of the ftp server

sure, but a waste of time and resources. every ftp server under the sun is capable of returning a directory listing. web browsers also make second rate ftp clients.

then there's the added hardship of having to continually update the web page as files are added/removed (unless you use a server side script to dynamically generate the page ofc), so yeah, ftp isn't hard to fathom (unless i grossly underestimate the stupidity of people)

Post 15

Quote from paladin:
..ftp isn't hard to fathom (unless i grossly underestimate the stupidity of people...

You wouldnt believe how stupid some people can be :roll:

Post 16

Quote from General Martok:
[quote:cda8971580="paladin"]..ftp isn't hard to fathom (unless i grossly underestimate the stupidity of people...

You wouldnt believe how stupid some people can be :roll:[/quote:cda8971580]

ah. those would be the people i don't care about. he's providing a service that people will be privileged to use, so what if they have to learn something in order to use it. no loss to anyone but them, more power to the educated.

Post 17

hehe yep those are the people who havent learned to use google yet :)