Your input needed pls!

[Anjari]

Ok here is what I am wanting to do...

I need to make a web interface that will allow a service tech to log into a remote web server and view information about a client (previous service work etc...)... My question is: I don't know if my best bet would be to place a database on a remote server and build a .net interface that will access the data or use asp (or some other method)...

Unfortunately we are a small company so we don't have the means to run a local web server... So I am currently hosting with another company... Please keep in mind money IS NOT at my disposal... My boss has approved a basic deal and if all goes well then we talk about upgrades.. for now I have to work with what I have...

I have posted my server information below to give you and idea of what my web server supports.... someone please tell me my best options...

SERVER INFO:

• 10 GB of monthly data transfer
• 250 MB diskspace (about 1,200 webpages)
• 30 configurable e-mail accounts
• 30 mail forwards
• 30 autoresponders

Harness the power of Windows® 2000
• Microsoft FrontPage 2002 Extensions
• Microsoft Windows Media
• .NET Framework support including ASP.NET and ADO.NET
• ASP 3.0 support, ASPUpload
• Visual InterDev, VB Script
• XML support, JScript, Perl, Personal CGI-bin directory
• Database support (ODBC database access) (MS Access/FoxPro)
• VeriSign® Payflow Pro Support
• .NET Mobile Internet ToolKit
• Industry leading Windows 2000 reliability and performance provided by each web site being hosting in its own application


Should I build a VB.NET interface or just go with ASP? As you will notice MS SQL is not on this list... and it would require $50.00 more a month... this is not an option at this time...

Thanks in advance,

Anjari

[Lunatic3]

As far as I see there is only one choise of Database engine available and that is MS Access. You can work with it either with ASP.NET or ASP. I think it would be better if ASP.NET.

By the way, I dont know how much you are paying for your remote server. but if i have to do the stuff with little resources of money (or even large resources ) then for sure i would switch to Linux because:

You can download a Linux RedHat 8 for Free (Redhat 9 is comming), if not convinient with it, you can buy it with full support for about 100$. This linux comes with lots of built in features and lots of free third party softwares you can play with.

You can buy an AMD Athlon 1300 for about 300$ or you can dedicate a less used PC in your company to it.

So what you think about it?

[hellswraith]

You don't need to spend any more money. You have all the resources you need (unless you don't have visual studio.net, in that case you can use the free asp.net web matrix www.asp.net site). I would create the web app in asp.net. The reason I say ASP.net is because:

1. your host allows you to use it,

2. if the business expands, all that is needed in the other locations is a web browser. This means if in the other location, you can run linux or what ever OS, and not have to worry because a local VB app wouldn't be able to run on it.

3. changes to the app will affect every computer using it because it is ran at a central location. You wouldn't have to install the app on several machines.

4. Access is just fine to keep track of customers. You don't need SQL Server to do it. Maybe if your buisness takes off and you have a lot of other offices or stores, you may start taking a hit in performance by using Access, but at that time, money shouldn't be such an issue, and you can easily convert your db code over to run on SQL Server and pay a development team.

Those are my reasons for going with asp.net.

[Cander]

You can download a Linux RedHat 8 for Free (Redhat 9 is comming), if not convinient with it, you can buy it with full support for about 100$. This linux comes with lots of built in features and lots of free third party softwares you can play with.

Ok, so how do you expect him to run ASP.NET applications? Besides, it doesnt change the fact that the reason they cant host is probably lack of bandwidth and has nothing to do with OS.

[nswan]

i don't think you can remotely access Access databases so you wouldn't be able to build a front end in vb or vs.net. You can remotely access SQL server, but as you said this is out of budget at the moment. You would therefore have to use an access database an asp or asp.net pages to display information.

[Lunatic3]

Ok, so how do you expect him to run ASP.NET applications? Besides, it doesnt change the fact that the reason they cant host is probably lack of bandwidth and has nothing to do with OS.

If he switches to linux then he doesn't have to use ASP.NET, he can use PHP and others very easily. And as you know he can still use ASP.NET on Linux if too obssessive with ASP.NET.

And if they have the problem of bandwith then they should investigate it more to choose between Linux and Windows host

[Cander]

I would like to throw out a much better hosting option.

www.webhost4life.com

for 10$ a month you get a 150 meg MSSQL AND a 150 meg mySQL db. No, there are 0 hidden extra charges!

You cant beat that.

[Cander]

Originally posted by Lunatic3
If he switches to linux then he doesn't have to use ASP.NET, he can use PHP and others very easily. And as you know he can still use ASP.NET on Linux if too obssessive with ASP.NET.

And if they have the problem of bandwith then they should investigate it more to choose between Linux and Windows host

Of course he can use other things than ASP.NET, but since this IS a .NET forum, there is a reason he asked that here.

And again bandwidth has NOTHING to do with Operating System.

[hellswraith]

Another web host I have been looking at is:
www.ehostingbiz.com

A more direct link to their hosting packages:
http://www.ehostingbiz.com/hosting.asp

[Lunatic3]

but since this IS a .NET forum, there is a reason he asked that here

Thats doesn't mean that no one advises him on things other than .NET

And again bandwidth has NOTHING to do with Operating System.

I didnt say bandwidth HAS ANYTHING to do with Operating System. All i said was in case they have chosen not to run their own web server for any reason, including the problem of bandwith, then choosing the proper host needs some further investigation.