When I started to learn Coldfusion programming for use on BT's Intranet, it was inevitable that I would start to use it for my own personal page. But not many sites can support free hosting for dynamic web pages, let alone support Coldfusion.
(A requested note for novices, or none web-developers) ... Read review
Advantages: Free Coldfusion hosting with no forced ad's or banners and Great support Disadvantages: none that I can think of
When I started to learn Coldfusion programming for use on BT's Intranet, it was inevitable that I would start to use it for my own personal page. But not many sites can support free hosting for dynamic web pages, let alone support Coldfusion.
(A requested note for novices, or none web-developers) Coldfusion is a programming language.. like HTML that allows webpages to be contructed from information stored in a database. So for instance ... ...web page and 1 database instead of 100 webpages)
Another problem, Coldfusion enterprise server software cost's thousands, so no chance of using my own machine as a host... and I did not especially want to pay for space on a site which will ultimatly not pay for itself (its only a little site after all).
I cannot remember how I eventually discovered CFM-Resources, though I can remember plenty of fruitless searching. ... more
When I started to learn Coldfusion programming for use on BT's Intranet, it was inevitable that I would start to use it for my own personal page. But not many sites can support free hosting for dynamic web pages, let alone support Coldfusion.
(A requested note for novices, or none web-developers) Coldfusion is a programming language.. like HTML that allows webpages to be contructed from information stored in a database. So for instance a personnel website listing 100 employees information, can have 1 web page and 1 database instead of 100 webpages)
Another problem, Coldfusion enterprise server software cost's thousands, so no chance of using my own machine as a host... and I did not especially want to pay for space on a site which will ultimatly not pay for itself (its only a little site after all).
I cannot remember how I eventually discovered CFM-Resources, though I can remember plenty of fruitless searching. So let me stop you wasting time like I did.
CFM-Resources is a free web-host with Coldfusion support.
You can be forgiven for thinking when you see the free hosting package that there is a catch.. here are the free package benefits
- 30mb free space - 1 ODBC Entry - 1 FTP account - Support for PHP soon.. - Free support and tutorials - 700mb Bandwidth per month - No forced banners or advertisments.. - Put your OWN adverts (if you want) on the page and claim 100% of the benefits
Now.. for a free Coldfusion (in fact I think this is the ONLY free CF Host I have found) hosting package this is pretty good.. there must be some small print, maybe they want your soul.. nope.. its all above board. In the administrator's own words, he wants to assist anyone who wants to use Coldfusion platform... and that is the only requirement of your website if you use this host.. it must contain some CF code, and be updated in some way every few weeks.
Want to know a wee bit more..
The CFM-Resources Website +++++++++++++++++++++++++
The home page of CFM resources is an absolute wealth of information, down the left hand side we have all the paid and free hosting links needed to administrate / run your website, a daily Coldfusion tip smack bang in the middle (get rewarded for suggesting your own tip or code snippet), a featured website and latest news. One reassuring fact about CFM is they are always upgrading and improving in some way, both the free and paid site appear to be treated with equal importance.
Reliability +++++++++++
I have been using this host for a year now and do not recall it ever going down, or losing my data. At one stage I forgot to update my account and had to reactiviate, my data was still intact and had not been removed.
Interface +++++++++
All access to the site is through an on-screen control panel. There are links to your account details, a web-based filemanager system (very easy to use), your coldfusion mail settings, odbc entry, your website, support forums, news related to coldfusion and the host, general tips (including tutorials) and software.
If you dont want to bother with all this, it is possible to use FTP to upload files if you so require.
Support +++++++
Support on the coldfusion site is second to none in my opinion. Most of the support is through the forums, broken down into appropriate sub-headings. I have personally needed help on several subject, and people (most of the time Pablo.. the adminstrator himself) actually wrote the piece of code I needed and explain it fully. There is usually always some expert on line 24/7
News ++++
Pablo sends out regular emails regarding the site and the Coldfusion platform in general. He usually throws in a tip or two as well.. All good info, well worth keeping and no forced advertisments, and no spam.
Upgrades to paid hosting ++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is possible to buy web space from CFM-Resources, with various options being available. There is always a helpful cost comparison chart linked from the homepage for quick reference, and CFM-Resource is one of the few site with no hidden charges.
One of the questions when browsing their packages that you WILL ask is 'Why does the free package appear to be better than the bronze package (the cheapest paid option)'.. it certainly confused me. Well the answer is simple.. The bronze package allows only for 10MB of space, because CFM-Resource does not count your database size as part of the space. The Free sites cannot go over over the 30MB limit (files and database).
10MB of files is a lot of space, when you do not count the database file size, bearing in mind that the database can contain almost all your web-site content.
What is my URL? +++++++++++++++
If you user name was 'abcd' your url would be
http://www.freecfm.com/a/abcd
Simple...
Conclusion and other questions ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you want to try your hand at dynamic web design, if you want to experiment with Coldfusion, this is the place to go. It is the central point to all your CFM needs, free space, no annoying banner code, reliable, with support for both novice and expert.
If you are already a Coldfusion programmer, you will need to visit the site and visit the FAQ pages to see if this site will meet your requirments. However, whilst you are reading this, here are some Coldfusion / Hosting queries you may have
- What version of Coldfusion server is being run by this host?
Coldfusion Enterprise server 5
- What type of content is NOT allowed? . Adult content (Even if you own it!) . Warez or other illegal content
- Can the CFFILE and CFDIRECTORY tags be used Only with paid accounts at this time
- What else is supported by the CFM-Resource service
Free Members:
ColdFusion ( ColdFusion 5.0 Enterprise) ASP - Active Server Pages PHP - Php3 & Php4 (Currently disabled due to configuration... will be back up soon!) VBScript - Visual Basic Script
Paid members: ColdFusion ( ColdFusion 5.0 Enterprise) ASP - Active Server Pages PHP - Php3 & Php4 (Currently disabled due to configuration... will be back up soon!) VBScript - Visual Basic Script Web-Based Email (1 per account) Statistics - full site statistics to members with Webtrends (Coming Soon!)
CFM also support PERL/CGi on the Linux developers package.
Final Note ++++++++++
I am in no way affiliated with CFM-Resources, they have no reward program for drafting members.. I am just a very satisfied customer.
