Mon Sep 13

Today I'll walk through a few methods of deploying websites.

I've decided to not try to have us do nearlyfreespeech together ... while it is a pretty cool (if you like oldschool) hosing site, I think that (a) the linode is a better example of "doing it on the command line" full-speed-ahead back end stuff, and (b) for easier-to-use control panel hosting sites, there are much simpler choices.

I've deployed two sites over the weekend. Both are tiny, without the multiple pages and navigation that I've asked you to do - right now I'm just showing you the "deploy" side of the game.

I have set both of these up at "http" sites, not bothering with "https" yet ... we'll discuss that later.

yellowshell.net

files : html | css | img

This one I did entirely (DNS + hosting) on ionos.com, which you can see by logging in with the details on the accounts page. I'll walk us through some of that.

sandyshell.cc

files : html | css | img

And this one has (a) the name registered at namecheap.com, with my own account there, and then (b) the site set up using the "old school" command line techniques, on the linode that's listed on the account page.

The steps in this case are

• register the domain name somewhere (e.g. namecheap)
• on that end, set the name servers as "custom" , ns1.linode.com , following their instructions .
• and in the linode control panel, set up DNS records for sandyshell.cc
• the rest is terminal command line work on the linode :
  • I'll use apache ... see for example linode guide : apache web server
  • install with "apt get apache2" (already done; you don't need to)
  • configure your_site in /etc/apache2/ (I'll show an example)
  • restart n(if the config files have changed) ; google "ubuntu restart apache"
  • put your web files in /var/www/your_site with scp
  • profit.

If you're familiar with the terminal and want to dig into the back end, you could deploy your site on the linode. It can do multiple URLs, all on the same server.

If this stuff is still fairly new, then pick an all-in-one hosting service - there are many - read their docs, and set up your site. You can use ionos.com, though you can only get their special deal ($6/first_year for dns registration and hosting) if you set up your own account. Google things like "best web hosting" for many more options, each with slightly different tools, strengths, and costs.

Related topics we might want to discuss :

• ~root/history.txt : keep a record of changes you make to a server
• setting up public/private keys for easier (i.e. without password) access to the server
• alternative (other than scp) file transfer methods
  • GUI applications : winscp, cyberduck
  • using github as an intermediadary : laptop - github, github - server

screenshots

I tried to save a few screenshots of what I did as I went along ...

resources

• domain name system
  • domain name registrar
  • ICANN - political organization that manages domain names
  • list of top level domains
• apache web server | wikipedia - world's most popular web server
• how to use ssh and scp
• how to set up ssh public/private keys

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Questions?

Discussion?

Your turn ...

coming next

• javascript ...

for example : my room in 3D ... with source code