Open Source softwares in FreeBSD for web hosting platform

[Ted Mittelstaedt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tek Bahadur Limbu [mailto:teklimbu at wlink.com.np]
> Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 12:52 AM
> To: Ted Mittelstaedt
> Cc: Andrey Slusar; freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
> Subject: Re: Open Source softwares in FreeBSD for web hosting platform
> 
> 
> Hi Andrey and Ted,
> 
> 
> Ted Mittelstaedt wrote:
> > 
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: owner-freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
> >> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions at freebsd.org]On Behalf Of Andrey Slusar
> >> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 6:46 AM
> >> To: Tek Bahadur Limbu
> >> Cc: freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
> >> Subject: Re: Open Source softwares in FreeBSD for web hosting platform
> >>
> >>
> >> Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:49:19 +0545, Tek Bahadur Limbu wrote:
> >>
> >>> I know that this question has been asked on this list in the past. So
> >>> I am sorry for repeating it.
> >>> However, I would like to know the current answers and views on this
> >>> question.
> >>> Basically, I want to know which software you might be using as a Site
> >>> configuration and management application for web hosting services.
> >>> It will be used primarily to control about 500-1000 virtual domains.
> >>> I know that there are Cpanel and Plesk which are very good commercial
> >>> softwares catering the needs for a good web based management tool.
> >>> So far, I have only tried out RAQdevil http://www.raqdevil.com/
> >>   For commercial hostings needs commercial panels.
> > 
> > Not really true.  It depends on what your charging.  If your charging
> > the equivalent of $4.99 a month USD for a light duty site then your
> > customers
> > are cheapskates who are going to be satisfied with whatever you give
> > then, commercial or not.
> > 
> > The commercial control panels are appropriate for hosts that are
> > charging some real money for the service.
> 
> I guess you are correct. The price will be equivalent to less than $9.99 
> a month. I think VHCS or ISPConfig will serve me good.
> 
>  From their sites, both are only available for Linux based systems. 
> Anyway, I will setup VHCS in a Debian box.
> 

We actually use webmin ourselves.  Although, we do not give the
users any access to control panels whatsoever.  The major thing
they use them for is setting up mysql databases, and we make
them ask us to do that for them.  Since most users don't need to
do this, it really isn't much of a support burden.  The biggest
support burden with users is getting them to figure out how to
use their FTP or whatever file transfer software, or publish-shit
button on frontpage (thank the maker that MS finally officially
struck that product, so we can get away with punting on support
of ancient free copies of this.  People who can't figure out frontpage
don't have any business making websites)

Ted