[Cob] Online database and discussions...

[Janet Standeford]

Hi Ben,
Actually I understand what you are saying and the site I'm proposing 
will only cost $10 per year. My hosting ability costs $250 per two years 
and I can host as many sites as I want complete with 10 email addresses 
each. I can set it up with a number of programs such as Joomla and 
Wikipedia.

It's the ability to host sites that is in danger financially. I'm afraid 
I would lose the Natural Building Site if I set it up then lose the 
right to host.  Unless I could transfer the site to another host at that 
time. I'm going to try it anyway. The worst case scenario is it gets 
transferred.

If anyone has a name preference, let me know. I'm going to start the 
process tonight.

It would be great if you could help set it up. I'll pay the $10. to 
start it.




On 2/15/2010 6:26 PM, Benjamin Brownell wrote:
> Hi Janet,
>
> The Elgg suite, like Drupal and Joomla (all called CMS or content 
> management system) is something you set up on any existing server/host 
> account, with some work 'under the hood' to set up a database and 
> customize the features.  Elgg looks pretty straightforward with nice 
> features and layout options.  I could install it probably in a couple 
> hours, and then just do infrequent maintenance.  Anyone could really, 
> with a bit of technical knack.  I'd volunteer the time, but not cash 
> for hosting.  I didn't exactly understand your situation regarding the 
> hosting, $250 seems quite out of ordinary for fees.  Generally 
> something like this kind of site would run around $30-$50 per year. 
>  Also, the advertising with ning is not very invasive, here's a 
> permaculture community that uses the free version, although I have to 
> say the content and layout is fairly scattered: 
>  http://livingmandalas.ning.com/  --you can see the ad bar along the 
> upper right side column.  I'm sure there are other options around to, 
> let's keep talking and see what comes up.  Happy building!
>
> -Ben
>
>
>     On 2/15/2010 8:08 AM, Benjamin Brownell wrote:
>     > The above site uses "elgg" and is a nice custom layout that
>     requires independent setup and hosting.
>     >
>     Hi Benjamin,
>     I really like this idea. Sort of a Wikipedia on natural building.
>     When you say it requires independent set up and hosting do you
>     mean we must buy hosting there?
>
>     My hosting service has a wikipedia program I can use and there are
>     no advertisements. When I say I could use some help with
>     financing. I am not saying I will not do it without pay. In fact
>     the website itself I can donate by spending $10 for a year.
>
>     The offer of your own web site and unique address for a donation
>     is a just a way to ensure it stays up. You see, I host web sites.
>     My hosting service is due to close in April I believe for lack of
>     $250. Not your problem. I'm just saying if any of you wanted a web
>     site anyway.....
>
>     After that I'll have no trouble keeping it going indefinitely. I
>     can come up with the bulk of the $250 if necessary. It just cuts
>     back on when I can put the roof on if I do. I'm literally making
>     and using the money as I build. There is no cushion.
>
>     The benefit to this is no advertising, a professional site and I
>     will foot the cost of it thereafter. Anyone can ask for admin
>     status to help and as long as I can determine they are really part
>     of our cob group they will get it. I will also do the initial setup.
>
>     If nobody likes this idea and shows it by not responding, no
>     problem. I will support whatever is out there for us.
>
>