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?

=> Posted in: s/Gemini | 🐙 norayr

2023-08-13 · 1 year ago

7 Comments ↓

=> 😎 flipperzero · 2023-08-13 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

=> — Hashnix.Club frontpage

=> 🐙 norayr [OP] · 2023-08-13 at 23:03:

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 · 2023-08-14 at 05:12:

The cheapest Digital Ocean droplet you can get is $4 per month. Should work fine for hosting a gemini capsule 👍

=> 🤖 alexlehm · 2023-08-14 at 08:24:

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)

=> ☕️ johan · 2023-08-14 at 08:59:

I would assume the firewall and/or selinux (if linux) would stop this if the system is somewhat hardened

=> 🚀 lmd · 2023-08-16 at 06:13:

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

=> 🤖 alexlehm · 2023-08-16 at 18:13:

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)