Free Alternative to Mac.com
 

As of the recent changes in Apple's iTools service, Mac.com services are NO LONGER FREE!

I have a very fast internet connection - about 40 MB per second - and I was wondering if anybody would be interested in this idea: I could run my server Mac as a file server so that people could store files online, like iDisk. Space would probably be unlimited (within reason of cource, limits would only be made if there is a disk space shortage on my server or something). I could also - if anyone was interested - also provide e-mail services (give you online disk space and e-mail). This would be no bother for me - specificially no extra expences for me - so this would all be free. This whole thing is contingent upon the fast internet connection and the number of people that would be interested.

Please tell me your thoughts and concerns about this idea.
:) :confused: :(

Good idea! Where do I sign up? :D

Riiight.... unless you're colocating your box, I'd imagine your ISP would be none to happy about you reselling bandwidth and setting up your own hoting provider on a consumer line. Check your broadband contract --- you'll probably void it.

please sign me up for 40 GB

i require the email address prØnographer@pandorasbox.com and 99.9% uptime and availability.

hold all my calls!

:D

Nope! As long as I pay, its OK. :)

That was the case with my old ISP, though.

Take a step back and call your ISP first. And for god's sakes, make sure you know how to lock down a mail server before offering SMTP access.

if you're going to do it, I'm up for it....

I could use your services too, let us know!

I'm especially interested in using a new SMTP server. The one I use now (via dial-up) works barely 20% of the time and rarely ever for emails with attachments.

Where on earth did you score a 40MB per sec connection?

People Are Actually Interested!
 

I am my own ISP. Anything goes. There is no problem with the internet/ISP part of it. My problems would range more with configuring Jaguar to offer these services - such as how to make the SMTP server secure or how to limit disk space of shared folders. Those are the kinds of questions I will need answered, and I will post ay questions and problem I have here BEFORE anything is public.

Looks like some people are interested in these services so I will see what I can do to get them into play. Mind you, it will take a little time - but it will hopefully before the Mac.com accounts expire on us. More information and any problems I encouter will be posted here at a later time.

Q1: IMAP Server
 

What is the best IMAP and/or POP3 e-mail server for Jaguar?
Easiest to configure, easiest to install, etc.

You already have one.
 

Sendmail is all you need. :cool:

sign me up! :)

Download communigate pro, the most robust, easiest to configure and maintain e-mail and listserv ever made. It blows all other competitors away. Sendmail is an evil joke in comparison. Their demo version is fully functional, it just adds one line of text to every message sent by the server. If you want to remove that one line, it will cost you dearly.

Y

Limit Home Size
 

How can I limit the size of a shared home folder?

Like, say I want to limit the space on my free online hard drives to 75 or 50 MB per person. How would I do that? Each user has their own home folder, not just some directory that is shared - if that matters.

Alternimac.com
 

Hey:

I'd be interested in taking part in this "alternimac.com" idea. Sign me up. Only need the WebDAV or email.

Anthony Vu

Free Domain Name?
 

As a side note, I will need a free domain name to provide my services.

So far, I think the best one is real_address_will_be_released_later.bounceme.net, but if anyone has objections to this or can find a free domain that is shorter and/or more revelant to Macs, tell me. I'd like it to be easy to remember, so no hyphens or underscores or anything weird. Short and easy to remember and free. ;)

I like the service provided by http://www.dyndns.org

I use DNSUpdate (http://www.dnsupdate.org/) to update my IP address info. I don't know if this is necessary for you.

David

I have a domain www.lightstaff9.com

But I don't use it for anything other than email. I could probably set the URL forwarding to redirect people to your server's IP address.

Though I don't know much about the increased traffic or if my host would allow the increased bandwith, or if redirecting traffic has anything to do with bandwith.

But if you're interested. I'd be happy to find out.

Maybe someone can tell me how that works. :D

Domain Name
 

I think I will stick with a free domain name for now. Maybe if things get really hopping, then I will consider purchasing a real domain name. If one of you paid for the domain name, I would be forever in your debt (no matter how small). Thank you very much for offering.

I think I will wait and see what happens before making any such decisions.

Re: People Are Actually Interested!
 

Don't get me wrong --- I'm quite interested --- but do you actually have permission to resell services from your upstream provider?

Re: Re: People Are Actually Interested!
 

As there are so many questions, I will look deeper into the matter. Thanks for your concerns.

this is soooo depressing.... people please, before you make fools of yourselves, learn unix, learn networking, and then MAYBE start to offer something like this.... and sure as hell not for free. AND ALSO, anyone who owns an ISP with 40 MegaBits per second of bandwidth and doesnt know what ****ing mail server to use is not in a position to offer email to anyone. And if he did, oh my frickin hackamungos.... The problems I can forsee are things like people beating on your server, people hacking your server, people suing you after you realize what a pain in the ass it is and choose to pull the plug... etc. Also, Your upstream feed (MCI/Worldcom/Qwest/UUNet/Sprint/ATT) would all have a fit if you use that much bandwidth. And you damn well better believe they are going charge you for every fricking megabit. Anyway, you'd be paying upwards of 20-40K a month for that level of service, not something your gonna give away, and something, quite frankly, I dont believe you have access to.

calm down...
 

How do you know he isn't some rich, independant ISP owner (or son of an owner) and has the facilities to provide what he says he's going to provide?

People learn by projects, this can be his project, and personally I hope he succeeds. Don't bash him because you don't think he can do it or don't think he has what he says he has. If you don't like it, go elsewhere, no one's forcing you to participate.

If he opens a mail server and doesn't lock it down, he'll learn the hard way. He doesn't need you to start in on him before he even starts. Not knowing how to do something initially may be reason enough for you to quit, or just not do anything, but for some people it's not, and those people are the innovators...

So carry on Nick, I'll be more than happy to help you with questions as you work on your project.

:)

Mike

Re: calm down...
 

How P.C.

I'm in.
 

I've been watching this thread for awhile and finally took the time to say, I want in too! Save me a spot, I think it's awesome what your doin' (or willing to do) Nick.

no comment....

DOMAIN NAME
 

How about something like,

macfreedom.net

:D

Re: The Guy who is in a bad mood
 

why are you trying to be so smart? are you kind enough to offer free services like email? i don't think so. you might know more but he is doing a kind and generous thing. i would gladly signup nick and thankyou for trying to help! tell us how you are getting along soon :D .
thanks again for your generosity..


rakka

Re: Re: The Guy who is in a bad mood
 

as a matter of fact, yes, I do give away free email address's and I DO KNOW THE REALITIES of serving mail to clients. So bwah bwah bwah -----

This thread sucks.