Computer/Internet Savy People Look Here

[subwyking]

I have a spare computer i am not using, and will not use. im wanting to turn it into a chat server for all of our beermaking freinds, but when it comes to setting something like this up, i just dont have the know-how. if anyone who has knowledge on how to do so would like to help me set this up, im more than happy to dedicate my spare computer and some bandwith so we have some real time chat. i have the capability to put pretty much any version of windows on it, or linux so if that helps lemme know. any takers?

 

[bikebryan]

I have a spare computer i am not using, and will not use. im wanting to turn it into a chat server for all of our beermaking freinds, but when it comes to setting something like this up, i just dont have the know-how. if anyone who has knowledge on how to do so would like to help me set this up, im more than happy to dedicate my spare computer and some bandwith so we have some real time chat. i have the capability to put pretty much any version of windows on it, or linux so if that helps lemme know. any takers?

Bear this in mind: Most ISPs will have fits if you are a paying "home" user and are running ANY kind of server on that connection. They can terminate you for violation of TOS in a heartbeat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for your idea, but I thought I'd give out some friendly warnings.

 

[subwyking]

thanks for the warning, but i had that spare computer running as an ftp server for about 3 months. they never complained then. i was uploading gigs of stuff to friends across the u.s. so i think i might be ok then. i have cable and a butload of bandwith. not sure how much it would take to run a chat server (thats why im asking for a pro)

 

[mpetty]

Well, your easiest bet would be to install your favorite flavor of Linux and download the latest IRC server package. Do you have a static IP address? If not, you're going to have to set up a domain, have it hosted somewhere else, and get that person/company to forward you your packets to the correct IP as it changes.

 

[bikebryan]

Well, your easiest bet would be to install your favorite flavor of Linux and download the latest IRC server package. Do you have a static IP address? If not, you're going to have to set up a domain, have it hosted somewhere else, and get that person/company to forward you your packets to the correct IP as it changes.

Not quite correct. You can register a domain at many sites, then use a service like DynDNS (or another company like them) that will redirect hits to your computer. That way, if your IP changes, the packets still make it to/from your computer. That way, you are controlling the host that is servicing the service, and not relying on other's machines to do it.

All of this comes pretty cheaply. You can register a domain name for less than 20/dollars, sometimes for two years. DynDNS is pretty cheap as well.

 

[subwyking]

i have cable internet, i believe that this is a static ip. am i correct or no? could i call my isp and have them assign a static ip?

 

[El Pistolero]

i have cable internet, i believe that this is a static ip. am i correct or no? could i call my isp and have them assign a static ip?

Cable net is not necessarily a static ip...in fact most aren't. You can request a static ip from your cable company...they will charge you a little more (I pay $10/month extra), if they offer it at all.

 

[joutlaw]

I use a free service from no-ip.com . it has program that runs on your pc that automatically updates your dynamic ip to their dns records.

they give you a free "domain name" of sort. i.e. you could have subwyking.myftp.org

check out their site:

http://www.no-ip.com/services/managed_dns/free_dynamic_dns.html