What puts me off the self hosting route is once again leaving my computer on 24/7, power bills are bad enough already here. But then I read something on another site about setting up on your own Domain and using a Coppermine Gallery. This has a dedicated login and control panel to it. Now I just moved my photography club from my own domain to its own dedicated domain we just purchased. Here in the UK at least I can purchase a domain, have it hosted, unlimited email accounts for £18 a year. On top I can add CPanel access and a single database suitable for a whole myriad of programs like forums, blogs, photograph storage like a Coppermine Gallery for another £6 a year on top. I think the full price of this kind of setup for a new user is £45 a year but I added the club one to my own and made the saving of about £20. Ideal because as of July onwards (the AGM date) I pay it and maintain it myself instead of the annual club membership-a saving of about £50 a year for me.
This same setup may be available around the world. Puhleeese, take no notice of the ones that start out free, 99p or cents a month etc. Look at the price the following year and imagine moving them and looking for new hosting. Sure you pay for the domain, you own it as long as you continue to pay for it and nobody can filch it (steal it). But you still need to have it hosted and can move it somewhere else. I chose the same service I have now and have had for 17 years not because they are the best or 100% at what they do, they do have faults, but I know they keep it running and the price will either remain the same the following year or very close to it. In fact in all the time with them they never put the price up once. I use Freedomnames......
So instead of leaving my computer on 24/7 I can leave their computer server on 24/7. Not sure of their reaction if a lot of people are accessing the pictures. But for a self host or a self host and a few friends it's a good thing. It might even be a better idea for some of the Designers out there to look into it too instead of relying on others who may not have their best interests at heart.
NOTE: My nick and image are from a company. That company allows people to use them both as long as they get permission and a licence. I have that and a certificate to prove it.
"These are not the Druids you are looking for..."
