Heads up... Google Drive Hosting is to end, as of August 31st next...

[Dad3353]

I had some difficulties uploading to Google Drive recently, and in the course of trying to find the cause, came across this information...

Deprecating web hosting support in Google Drive ...

This won't, apparently, affect files stored on Google Drive, only the hosted applications. I currently have two hosted there: my Rachdale Cheese Demo, and the more recent Rachdale Cheese Teaser.
In the light of this, and following the links provided in the linked page, I looked for a viable alternative, and chose to have a go with Firebase hosting. They offer a free hosting service, with limitations that would not unduly trouble a simple User such as myself. For once, I was able to register and create a hosted site with very little difficulty (although some of the instructions given could have been a bit more detailed and precise...), and both of my RPG's are now hosted there, too. It's too soon to know if performance, availability, flexibility and more are up to par, but, as Google Drive was not splendid either, and will, in any case, disappear, I'm satisfied for the moment.
Anyone presently Hosted on Google Drive would do well, I think, to start looking for other arrangements. Any decent finds could be indicated here; someone else could benefit.
Hope this helps.

 

[Companion Wulf]

My understanding is that (since "web hosting in Google Drive for users and developers will be deprecated"), it only really applies to web hosts stored there. Yep, files stored on Google Drive won't be affected (like files, photos or documents). You can still access them, but the links for shared files probably won't work.

You can download their "app" (PC/Mac/Phone) to sync your files and keep it all up-to-date, using it as a backup measure as well.

They deprecated their Picasa photo storage some time ago and, while you can still upload files there, they're synced to their new Google Photos, so all links are redirects of the images.

Google Drive was not splendid

No, it wasn't! (rofl) I used it as a front page/portal page for ALL of my other websites, but wasn't satisfied with it at all. So I just abandoned it. I never actually hosted any large files there.


If anyone is looking for web hosts, my choices would definitely be:

1) Unlimited Web Host: As it says, unlimited. You even get a "free domain". Its basic version (costing £3.30 per month, equates to roughly $4.30) on a shared server, but performance isn't affected unless your bandwidth increases substantially. Their tech support is second-to-none! You have a problem, they're often go out of their way to help you resolve it. This firm is UK-based so I'm not sure if they accept international hosting; I don't see any reason why not though, since it's all DNS based anyway.

2) DreamHost: Again, it's unlimited. You pay on a sliding scale based on your bandwidth and usage. I migrated there after my Unlimited Web Host site overloaded their servers. Frequently! Because of increased bandwidth due to some serious marketing for RPG Maker Times. For the domain plus 4 subdomains, plus 5 email addresses, plus an average of 30-40 downloads per month (software and/or plugins) I pay around $35 each month for a VPN. This is the cheapest and best I've found by far.

3) I can't really recommend any free hosts because most of my experiences with them have been bad. And I've tried a LOT of them. But it depends on personal taste. Heliohost came very close to being my number 1 free web host. If, however, you choose their "Johnny" server (as I did), there tends to be a LOT of downtime...And I mean a LOT. Despite that, they are really good.

4) For a host with a site builder, Yola is a good place to start, although with the free package space and bandwidth are limited to 1Gb. It could be used as a platform for a better host in the future or for if you don't anticipate high volumes of traffic in the beginning.

Ok, so that's a bit of a digression from the topic at hand, i.e. Google Drive, but hopefully others finding themselves in this same situation can benefit (or recommend other sites).