Thanks to you all for the quick and informative responses. Much obliged.
wibeasley wrote: To make things easier during initial development, consider using just the host's database server (instead of an extra one at home). You'll be able to update it from home without noticeable latency.
So, that means, I think, that I would access the database entirely through a web-based interface to my database, which is hosted entirely on my registrar's servers. I'm good with that. That seems like a good reason to settle on a registrar early...
wibeasley wrote: First, do you want to use an existing framework that covers a lot of the plumbing (like symfony and drupal), or do you want to develop from scratch.
Definitely _not_ gonna roll my own, especially at these formative stages, and given my own inexperience. The database I want to make is pretty standard fare. Let's say the site I want to make is a database for serious coin-collecting enthusiasts. I want to populate the initial database with every scintilla of information on the coins I already have information on. I want my users to be able to search my database, using any possible aspect(s). There will be no storefront or anything like that. (for now MUWAHAHA. sorry). Really just basic search and display, with a nice interface (which I figure I can build once I have the database itself planted).
pikaporeon wrote:Both MySQL and Postgres are solid (free) options
I looked at Postgres, and to my untrained eye, it looks very capable. It is, as you say, free. But when I go to
http://www.mysql.com/products/, it looks like they want 2 grand annually. Am I looking in the wrong place? Is this rendered moot by my response to wibeasley about the database being hosted and accessed remotely?
redavni wrote:If all you need to do is get some basic data entry done to start you going, just head over to google docs, create a form and have at it. The results are saved to a spreadsheet that you can download in plenty of standard importable formats once you get to the point of deciding what actual platform your web site is going to run on.
That's starting to sound like where I'd like to start. But will I be able to migrate that data to, say, the SQL database hosted by my web host?
cheesyking wrote:One of the biggest drawbacks with doing something a bit radical like couch or python this is that you wouldn't have so much choice in who you got to do the hosting.
This all harkens back to my choice of registrar, which brings up another concern: I'd like to register my domain (both .com and .net) as soon as possible. I'm honestly kind of surprised it is still available. I'm not sold on 1&1, but my clicking finger has hovered over the "Buy Now" button more than once, on a couple of different registrars, pending advice from knowledgeable folks like you guys and gals. I would really appreciate any input you folks might have as far as a proper, dependable registrar to go with, knowing what you know of my intentions and needs.
Thanks again to you all for your help. I'm getting pretty psyched, and any suggestions you may have, however basic or advanced, are greatly appreciated.
Drewstre