Extended ring hosting

Hi all,

I have just got an own "virtual server" at http://www.openhosting.com/. Unlike more conventional web hosting solutions on shared servers, with a virtual server you have root access and are in almost full control of the environment. I do like it. :)

All the possibilities that follow with the new server have made me think also about webrings. Up to now, somebody who wants to start a webring has been able to take one of two routes:

1) Pick a ring service provider like WebRing.com, RingSurf, or any of the smaller Ringlink based ring hosting services.

2) Download and install a webring management program and host the ring at the own site.

If you take the first route, you get pretty much 'stuck' with the ring service you choose, since moving the ring to some other ring hosting alternative typically means that all the members need to change the ring code.

But does it really have to be that way?

Since I now can have my server respond to as many domain names I like, one idea that came up is to offer ring hosting where the ringmaster makes use of her/his own domain name. I'm already doing that with my own ring, btw. If you go to http://www.gunnar.cc/cgi-bin/ringlink/main.pl, you can see that the links to "Quotation Ring" have a different domain name. The Quotation Ring is still managed by the same Ringlink copy as the other rings at Gunnar's Ringlink.

With this approach, somebody who is interested in running their ring(s) on their own Ringlink installation, but not yet feels ready to set it up, could start a ring at somebody else's Ringlink system, and later on move it to an own installation without bothering the ring members about changing the code.

But I'm hesitating. Aren't there reasons to assume that somebody, who knows enough about Internet to make use of their own domain name, is inclined to install Ringlink themselves right away, and with that be able to customize it to their liking? In other words: Would anybody be interested?

Another thought I have is to extend the idea slightly, and offer "ring hosting accounts". That would be a limited web hosting account aiming to host a ring homepage and maybe a mailing list, besides the obvious: hosting the webring. Such an option might possibly be attractive to those who have limited webmaster experience. Later, when they feel more comfortable, it would be easy to upgrade to a full-fledged web hosting account.

Well, those were a few thoughts on the subject "extended ring hosting". It would really be interesting to hear others' views. Would there be an interest? Other similar ideas? Obstacles?

Looking forward to your comments.

/ Gunnar