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So what do we have to do?
If you have made a
decision to set up a website, then your fist task is to choose if you
would like us to host it for you, or would prefer to choose your own
web host.
Hosting a website involves the renting
of some disk space on a computer that is permanently attached to the
internet, allocating "bandwidth" to that space (ie. the amount of data
that can travel to and from the disk space), and maintaining the name
servers (separate computers) that act as a directory, sending requests
for your domain name to the right piece of disk space. In addition,
most commercial hosting providers also offer a range of administration,
monitoring, and website creation tools and facilities to allow the
owner of the website to effectively manage what goes on there.
There
are many hundreds of businesses that can provide you with web hosting
services with associated price tags that range from the sublime to the
ridiculous. You are free to choose any one of these.
Webhosting
is not the source of our "bread and butter", and so, we are able to
break up the disk space and bandwidth components into smaller (cheaper)
blocks than would be viable for a business seeking to maximise it's
income. These smaller block are still large enough for quite
comprehensive websites. The advantage is a lower ongoing costs because
you are not paying for 80 or 90% of your allocation to lie idle. Our
three standard packages all focus on the smaller end of the range.
As competiton is more fierce for larger allocations of space and
bandwidth, shopping around is more important if you intend to set up a
major website. We are still willing and able to provide services in the
larger area, but will provide a custom quote to match your reqirements
on application.
No matter if you choose to
host your website with us, or with another hosting provider, you will
still be able to take advantage of the Mount Barker Church's offer of a
free sub-domain name to associate with your webpage. If you choose another provider, there is a one off
administration fee of $25 to delegate the free sub-domain to your provider for you, after which you will
only pay the hosting fees charged by your hosting provider.
When you are ready to set up your website,
you will need to assign somebody within your fellowship the
responsibility of being your "Webmaster". This person will be given the
access codes for your administration control panel, and will have the
ability to manage all aspects of your on-line presence. It is quite
possible to setup and maintain a website with no coding knowledge. This website for example, was created in
one day, using only the tools provided with the webhosting package, and
without the creator having to type a single line of html code. It
would be an advantage if your Webmaster was comfortable with a
mouse and keyboard, and could navigate the internet easily. While we
deal regularly with a number of retired clients who relish this
activity, you may find one of your younger members is more eager to take on
this role...
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Web Services
