Free file hosting site on shared plan?

[Monarch]

Hi. Hopefully this isn't dumb question, but I am allowed to run a free file storage website on any of the shared hosting plans?

[gwyneth]

It probably depends on what kind of files, what kind of "hosting", and so on. "File-sharing" sites are prohibited:

Terms of Service

Asking sales or support would be a good idea.

[rota919]

I would say if you stay within the inode limit and resource usage, not host illegal files or stuff with copyrights then you should be fine.

Best would be to get an answer from HG staff via a support ticket on this one to confirm you will be ok.

[GatorWesley]

No that is not allowed on a shared plan.

[bmorejon]

Get some dedicated server for that

[rota919]

Originally Posted by GatorWesley

No that is not allowed on a shared plan.,

I think this is debatable.
If the site performs within the resource criteria as defined in the TOS why can't it be done?

What is the difference in someone using FTP to upload a site and then display the content or a file being uploaded and then downloaded?
The bandwidth usage is the same either way as long as the site doesn't use more resources than what is allowed isn't it?

[kmaw]

Originally Posted by rota919

I think this is debatable.

Unlikely, seeing as how the HG staff member says no...

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by kmaw

Unlikely, seeing as how the HG staff member says no...

I do understand his point of view, if he is within the restrictions, and following the TOS, he should be able to use the space to his needs, of course, as long as it is not dedicated to being a file sharing site, I uploaded a few files there so I could access them at my office and didn't see that being a problem. I mean, if you own the files, or have copyrighters permission, you should be able to distribute the files with means on the plan shared or not. Say you have a zip file with some of your work in it, there should be no issue with letting others downloading it, but again, it all falls down to hostgators ruling but I do think they shoud put more consideration into the use of the servers, and or clarifying the TOS statements as to what can and can't be done. One being the intentions of the file hosting.

[esl]

Originally Posted by GatorWesley

No that is not allowed on a shared plan.

No means no. Plain, simple, and too the point.

[kmaw]

Originally Posted by Monarch

I am allowed to run a free file storage website on any of the shared hosting plans?

I think it's flexible when it's your own personal files you're storing, she/he's asking about a free file storage website... presumably like rapidshare or something... a great way to get viruses, etc

[slapshotw]

All the person needs is one popular warez or crack file to be on there and the whole server can get screwed with traffic and resources. If there's a large possibility of that happening (good intentions or not), it's not worth the $10/month this person was going to pay.

[rota919]

Like I said, it debatable.
I have a site that's part of a larger network of sites with 136031 registered users. Each of those users have the right to download maps from my site.
Does that make the site a file share site?
The site runs well within the resource limits and there is never a problem and I can't see it ever becoming a problem

Or how about a site that sells ebooks or give them away for free to registered users?

I agree if there is just one popular warez file then the whole thing has the possibility of crashing the server. But that is where the TOS comes in and immediate suspension.

My feeling is if someone ask this type of question the staff needs to respond by asking for more detail before giving a clear cut no.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by rota919

Each of those users have the right to download maps from my site.
Does that make the site a file share site?

No. If the primary purpose of your site was to give people free space to store arbitrary files (that will be downloaded maybe multiple times and certainly large sized, or they wouldn't be using the service), you'd have a file share site.

[kmaw]

Originally Posted by slapshotw

No. If the primary purpose of your site was to give people free space to store arbitrary files (that will be downloaded maybe multiple times and certainly large sized, or they wouldn't be using the service), you'd have a file share site.

.....Agreed

[joemailey]

How many people have gallerys/photo sites?

Whats the difference between people setting up site for people to host there pictures?
(gallery2, coppermine etc all available via fantastico)

In the end they are all just files anyway.

popular warez vs popular hot chic?
Good looking girl with hot pictures(not talking about naked pictures here or porn, just good looking with hot picture like you'd see on bebo myspace etc.) would get as much hits as anyone other warez file.

Then again your depending on it becoming popular.(which generally isn't likely to happen)

So it is very open for debate.

free hosting for picture or free hosting for file sharing?

[ufopsi.com]

File sharing, I'm afraid, often touches wares and pirated softwares. THis sure puts HG in a dangerous, legal situation. As for image hosting, if it's a coppermine-like gallery, it should be centered around a topic (cars, 3D, UFOs) users can browse and comment. Image hosting like ImageShack can be very resource intensive and point to copyright issues. In that case, a shared hosting is out.

[kmaw]

Originally Posted by joemailey

In the end they are all just files anyway.

You should have your gallery setup to only allow image files to be uploaded...

[Monarch]

Thanks for the replies. I realize that a file hosting site would probably use up a lot of resources make it unfair for all the other users on the shared server. Anyway, I decided to get myself a dedicated server(not from hostgator), hope it's worth it

[Nagalim]

Hostgator is the best. People come back to Hostgator becoz of the best services they provide. Hope you wont go far away. Anyways Good luck. I have tried some companies as well ( not to be mentioned though). However, services are not as good as HG.