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today someone told me they have a html/cgi hosting, and they pay $8 for it. asked if they can host gemini. i said: no, you need a host. you need a console. to setup own server.
now i think, hmmm, is it possible to write a cgi program that when started will enter a loop and open a socket on 1965?
then it will serve some .gmi files uploaded to web root.
will http server allow cgi program to open a socket and practically become a server on its own?
Aug 13 · 3 months ago
😎 flipperzero · Aug 13 at 22:56:
If you'd like, I have a pubnix ssh imma go public w/ soon which is enabled w/ html amd gemini hosting that have cgi/php scripting implemented. I can arrange any details and registration, if you'd like to give it a shot. I'm just working out creative commons and gpl license and documentstion stuff for the pubnix but it's about all set up.
you can find the page here
oh thank you. i gave a link to my original post so the person should see your suggestion.
it didn't come to my mind that there are free gemini hosting services available, and i can just give that person info about some of them. probably because they said - can i host it myself on my web server? now i see that probably i had to suggest some other options.
🍵 innerteapot · Aug 14 at 05:12:
The cheapest Digital Ocean droplet you can get is $4 per month. Should work fine for hosting a gemini capsule 👍
running a socket server in a cgi program would be possible since port 1965 is not a privileged port, however the runtime of a cgi is usually limited to e.g. 30 seconds, so you will not get a long-running server. maybe if you fork, but I guess this would be considered abuse by most (or they might just kill the whole process group when the cgi script ends)
I would assume the firewall and/or selinux (if linux) would stop this if the system is somewhat hardened
thanks for reply, but sadly most of these hosters are counting pennies for using additional gigabytes and bandwidth. it's way cheaper to use google cloud or amazon aws lol
most have to make money somehow, i am using a shared host which is hosted by a friend for my gemini server which i pay a bit for as well, that works quite well (and its cheaper than cloud I guess)