I just bought a script(http://sibsoft.net/xfilesharing.html) but I do not well about this, I was thinking in using a virtual or dedicated server to run the script and amazon s3 to store the files what do you think?? any recomendations??
the problem is the cost involved with hosting such a site.I have done such a site before. There are some dedicated servers that are very very cheap. (http://joesdatacenter.com/ NOTE! by linking i am not necessarily recommending) I guess the questions to ask yourself are: 1. do you need a fully managed server, or do you have all the experience to do this yourself 2. do you need software such as cpanel, (commercial license) or are you familiar with the free alternatives. Minimum server for cpanel is realistically 700+ ram (512 is the stated minimum, but just trust me on this) As soon as you add to the cost of a server backup options, software (such as cpanel), and management, it all adds up very quickly. You can start off with a vps, depending which company you are with / depending on how full the server is, often a VPS is scalable, allowing you to take the cheapest option to start with and increasing the number of your users increases. You mentioned storing on amazon, I have never done this, and I wouldnt know if this is cost effective over having both a vps as well as storing elsewhere. Odds are that to start with it might be best to go for a vps for both running the script and filestorage, and as the server fills up, then look at if its cost effective to upgrade the vps, or go for storing on amazon s3. I had a good vps with kazila.com, cost including cpanel, and an automatic backup solution was $60 per month. (the price was ALOT higher then an un-managed dedicated server from other providers). But heres the thing. You have purchased the script without any sort of business plan. I know this as you are discussing vps vs dedi AFTER you purchased, rather then before hand. Based on this alone, I guarantee you that you will fail. Driving traffic to your site is not easy. You will be unable to: 1. offer something unique over other sites 2. do it better then other sites If you spend $60 per month on a vps, i expect that after 12 months, as well as money you spend on advertising on different websites, I expect your losses to be over $1000. Good luck.