Self Hosting?

Hey, how many of you (that read this offtopic forum) have gone through the grief of trying to set up their own systems - Non-Windows OS, Apache, php, mysql, postfix and so on and actually made it public for more than a month?

I never managed to get all that running in a useful way at the same time.

Just wondering.

Wholly - Use promo code WhollyMindless for full 97$ credit. Let me know if you want something else!

I tried playing with apache, but I think the docs just stink. But I can't say Windows server is any better either. It seams to really get to know either one, you need to lay down some cash for the missing book(s).
Besides I don't think I am ready to pay Time Warners pro rates. If I could pay, I can think of some nice options I would like to use. But then the private servers are out of reach at the moment as well.
Silk

My website

blog@blografia:~$ uptime
11:56:47 up 67 days, 2:01, 1 user, load average: 0.07, 0.02, 0.00
blog@blografia:~$

mysql lighttpd fastcgi php5 exim.... on a vps not in dh, in debian etch, this on xen, It host my personal blog and streaming 2 streaming servers for radio stations (shoutcast, yes i know icecast, but have to little memory).

For testing on another vps I try a bit more optimized I put myql lighttpd fastcgi php5 dropbear exim-lite (on 64MB) on a openvz, worked as a gallery and smf forum for the total 90 dias I pay in advance...

In home I had one machine (DSL) for testing that is available on the web, it has been up and runnig since debian was in woody, (actually since 2004) it runs lighttpd (since last year, before apache 1.3) php5 mysql on 256MB and K6III 500mhz.
vicm3@avalon:~$ uptime
12:07:42 up 22 days, 2:23, 1 user, load average: 0.08, 0.13, 0.09
vicm3@avalon:~$

It's not that complicated the hard thing to do is have a very good backup strategy. And I also have my main site on DH.

For those interested on run apache I recomend http://www.amazon.com/Apache-Server-Administration-Second-Library/dp/0782141374/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196014273&sr=8-11 and maybe the apache coockbook of o'reilly (this last I don't own, the other one I have read and it's very good).

I'm on an un-managed dedicated server right now (hosted elsewhere) and I've set things up entirely on my own. I've been playing with Linux off and on for the last 4-5 years though, but I don't find it too difficult, so long as you read the documentation a bit and ask questions.

What exactly are you having issues with?

No issues. The question had to do with the value proposition of doing it yourself and keeping up with updates/patches or just farming it out.

Just considering the fact that I can't even afford myself at my rates.

Wholly - Use promo code WhollyMindless for full 97$ credit. Let me know if you want something else!

lmao, I see now!
Ya I'd say it really just depends on your *nix experience. I've been working with *nix, as I said, for some time now and I'm quite comfortable installing and updating my system. I use Gentoo which, as it's only "downside", requires you to compile everything from source using its "Portage" package system. So in that regard, I guess time spent installing your base system initially is the most time consuming; or if you need to update a program very quickly it could be an issue. Otherwise, the fact that you can slim-line just about any program you want to install through Portage using something called "USE" flags, makes it quite nifty, and Gentoo's documentation is among the best that can be found.

Anyways, enough ranting! I figure, if I have the knowledge, I may as well go ahead and set it up myself so long as I have the time/energy to spend on it. If I'm working 24/7 all week, which errr.. could possibly happen soon... then having someone else manage things for me makes more sense. Hence - DreamHost