Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 09:06:19 -0500 From: "Kevin Kinsey, DaleCo, S.P." <kdk@daleco.biz> To: "Jason Hampton" <jhampton1970@hotmail.com>, <questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: help Message-ID: <001101c229ad$4cad44e0$e7e2910c@fbccarthage.com> References: <OE23j69bfAmTRaMgYAE000096ed@hotmail.com>
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From: "Jason Hampton" <jhampton1970@hotmail.com> To: <questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 7:57 AM Subject: help > I am completely new to this concept. There are a lot of > pictures and video clips I wish to share with friends. > Would a FTP site be my best method of sharing. If so, > how do I get started. I read some of the material > provided at http://www.freebsd.org/. But it is foreign > to me. Although I have used them in the past, setting > one up is new to me. > > Any information will be much appreciated. > > Regards, > Jason Hampton An FTP site *might* be the best way of sharing photos and videos with friends. FTP is usually a "faster" transfer protocol for most types of files. However, before you take this "plunge", consider the following. * If YOU are "completely new to this concept," how likely are your friends to know much about it? FTP is a well-known protocol within the "geek" community, but many people in the "real world" don't know what it is or how to use it. * There are a number of websites established that allow file-sharing /photo-sharing. Several of these services are free, up to a certain storage limit. This might be a lot easier solution for both you and your friends, especially is the concept "is foreign to me." For example, you might get storage at "X-drive" dot com, which included (last I knew - some time ago) built in applets for emailing your friends about your files. There are other and better [http://] web-based solutions as well. * If you wish to run an FTP site, you will have to run an FTP server. Now by server, I mean a software program that opens a computer to outside requests for information. This might run on the computer you use now (a Windows computer, perhaps?) or you might set up a computer to run a more robust, reliable, and lower-impact [on resources] OS like UNIX (FreeBsd, NetBSD, OpenBSD, or one of the many 'flavors' of Linux). Are you up to learning how to run a whole new operating system. One that probably doesn't have 24/7 phone support, automatic configuration "wizards" (hack, hack, *cough*) and come with a full-color, 400+ page instruction manual? FreeBSD actually has the *best* technical staff and support I've ever come into contact with, but as you've probably guessed, it's just a bunch of guys (& girls) who love to write computer code, debug programs, run servers, and then argue about the best way to do this via email. And, they do it all in their "Free" time, for "Free." * Which brings up the subject of "cost." There are costs involved in running any server: hardware costs, software costs (not in FBSD's case ;-), the cost of bandwidth (you're not gonna want to do this on your dial-up modem) and possibly co-location space, and finally, the time spent in setting up the server and placing your content on it. Of course, if you want to do this, you've probably already considered this. And, if you're thinking to "make" money with this venture ..... well, shame on you, there's enough of *that* out here already... *Finally, there might be a few more security risks to running an FTP server on ANY platform (windoze, UNIX, you name it...). There have been bugs in the past that were trivial to exploit and allowed remote users to take complete control of the "serving" machine. This is rare, but can occur. Also, unless you know exactly who all your "friends" are, you'll want to run "anonymous" FTP, and that is a bit more of a security risk and more difficult to configure for secure operation. Those of us who do run such servers are, it seems, almost constantly sitting in front of some terminal somewhere looking at something to make sure that everything about our "system" is running well, safe and secure. It's not that we don't get out much, but don't count on a couple of hours now and no further work on the project. Well, I'm not trying to rave, and I don't have a great interest in the outcome of your decision either way ... (though I do like FreeBSD users...). If you think you'd like to try, or know you're ready, I'd suggest downloading the FreeBSD handbook. In your case, do it from ftp.freebsd.org via FTP (it'd be good practice!) Do more research from the web --- how FTP works, various operating systems, software bugs, setup issues, etc. I'd say www.google.com is your friend there. Let us know what you decide. We're always curious around here. Kevin Kinsey, DaleCo, S.P., Missouri USA To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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