How do you guys handle development?

FroDaddy · 11-13-2007, 10:48 AM

I'm using Hostgator, and I created a folder underneath my main web folder so that I could develop my website without affecting my visitors. However, this folder is open to the public and I don't want search engines to index this page. How do I prevent that? Can I setup some type of authentication on this subfolder? I can also create a subdomain, but I'm not sure if that would solve the SE problem either.

How do you guys handle development when using a hosting service?

Jmz · 11-13-2007, 10:49 AM

I do everything on my local pc first.

FroDaddy · 11-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Is your OS windows? My issue with that is if I installed PHP and mySQL on my winXP machine and spent hours tweaking things... then there is a good chance that things will act differently when I upload it to my host. I've been in IT for about 6 years now and I try to test things as close to production as possible after getting burnt really bad a couple of times.

brendgard · 11-13-2007, 11:47 AM

I do basically the same thing. I have subfolders in which I can tweak code, make changes, etc. If you take all ads down(leaving a graphic as a placeholder to show how it would look), and don't publish any links from anywhere, nobody knows it's there. The search engines don't go looking for hidden subfolders. If you put no ads there, the ad networks(such as Google) don't know it's there and don't index it. If you do have somebody get into it, then you might have greater problems than you realise(hackers looking for things?).

Yes, you could put a password on a directory, but then would you ever know for sure how it would react to production use? I mean, If while testing/tweaking/coding you gained access to a page though a password, would remember/know to be careful enough to make sure that it was the membership system on your page as compared to the directory access?

FroDaddy · 11-13-2007, 12:14 PM

Right before you typed your response brendgard I found the directory password icon in cPanel. I applied the password and it pops up an authentication window. Once you put the uid/pw in, you have full access to the development directory and the development website. I don't see any conflicts with this since the directory password is a security function of the web server / OS, and no code is modified. I just have to be careful where I make changes and be mindful of database activity. I like this MUCH better than trying to replicate Hostgators PHP / mySQL installation and switches on a test machine at home, though.

Thanks for the responses! Time to fix my CSS problems now

RickyG · 11-13-2007, 12:27 PM

And here I was going to say PASSWORD IT...also in CPanel a dont list directory. You also have to be carefull search engines dont find it.

Since I own several domains, I "unpark" one and play with it there. You can get a .info for cheap $$ right now @ GoDaddy, $2.99 I think. Pick up the mirror of the site you have now as a .info.

Another way is to go to EBay and pick up a real stupid DN for .99 cents in a auction.

RickyG

FroDaddy · 11-13-2007, 12:36 PM

RickyG is the "don't list" directory the same as changing the directory to "no index" under cPanel's index manager?

RickyG · 11-13-2007, 12:53 PM

I am at a puter that i cannot get int my CPanel... I can check later tonight.

I would also do the NO INDEX!!

The one I am talking about is so they cannot view what is in the folder.

Jmz · 11-13-2007, 01:57 PM

Yes I'm using windows XP. I installed XAMPP (not sure if you're familiar with it) but that installs Apache, PHP and MySQL. Obviously if you want to be extra careful you could get it working on your computer then check it on a testing domain/folder and then make the changes on your site.

brendgard · 11-13-2007, 02:08 PM

I've been know to do it that way too. I used to have a development box with Linux installed. It's too crowded here to do that now lol. It is a good way to go though.

11-13-2007, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
FroDaddy Preferred Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 162	How do you guys handle development? I'm using Hostgator, and I created a folder underneath my main web folder so that I could develop my website without affecting my visitors. However, this folder is open to the public and I don't want search engines to index this page. How do I prevent that? Can I setup some type of authentication on this subfolder? I can also create a subdomain, but I'm not sure if that would solve the SE problem either. How do you guys handle development when using a hosting service? __________________ 1:1 Traffic Exchange on both of my sites! www.MidnightGamer.com www.iNetGamer.com

11-13-2007, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
FroDaddy Preferred Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 162	Is your OS windows? My issue with that is if I installed PHP and mySQL on my winXP machine and spent hours tweaking things... then there is a good chance that things will act differently when I upload it to my host. I've been in IT for about 6 years now and I try to test things as close to production as possible after getting burnt really bad a couple of times. __________________ 1:1 Traffic Exchange on both of my sites! www.MidnightGamer.com www.iNetGamer.com

11-13-2007, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
brendgard Gamer FX Staff Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 674	I do basically the same thing. I have subfolders in which I can tweak code, make changes, etc. If you take all ads down(leaving a graphic as a placeholder to show how it would look), and don't publish any links from anywhere, nobody knows it's there. The search engines don't go looking for hidden subfolders. If you put no ads there, the ad networks(such as Google) don't know it's there and don't index it. If you do have somebody get into it, then you might have greater problems than you realise(hackers looking for things?). Yes, you could put a password on a directory, but then would you ever know for sure how it would react to production use? I mean, If while testing/tweaking/coding you gained access to a page though a password, would remember/know to be careful enough to make sure that it was the membership system on your page as compared to the directory access? __________________ http://gamersgo.com A list of arcade related sites, add yours. http://auntiefondy.com Lists, add your site. http://kbsplace.com

11-13-2007, 12:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
FroDaddy Preferred Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 162	Right before you typed your response brendgard I found the directory password icon in cPanel. I applied the password and it pops up an authentication window. Once you put the uid/pw in, you have full access to the development directory and the development website. I don't see any conflicts with this since the directory password is a security function of the web server / OS, and no code is modified. I just have to be careful where I make changes and be mindful of database activity. I like this MUCH better than trying to replicate Hostgators PHP / mySQL installation and switches on a test machine at home, though. Thanks for the responses! Time to fix my CSS problems now __________________ 1:1 Traffic Exchange on both of my sites! www.MidnightGamer.com www.iNetGamer.com

11-13-2007, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
RickyG Moderator Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Under Your Mouse! Posts: 1,124	And here I was going to say PASSWORD IT...also in CPanel a dont list directory. You also have to be carefull search engines dont find it. Since I own several domains, I "unpark" one and play with it there. You can get a .info for cheap $$ right now @ GoDaddy, $2.99 I think. Pick up the mirror of the site you have now as a .info. Another way is to go to EBay and pick up a real stupid DN for .99 cents in a auction. RickyG __________________ Arcade Banner Exchange, game packs, top site, arcade script and forum for all of your arcade needs http://www.mibbi.com This site stinks!! www.farting.us

11-13-2007, 10:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jmz Full Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 87	I do everything on my local pc first.

11-13-2007, 12:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
FroDaddy Preferred Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 162	RickyG is the "don't list" directory the same as changing the directory to "no index" under cPanel's index manager? __________________ 1:1 Traffic Exchange on both of my sites! www.MidnightGamer.com www.iNetGamer.com

11-13-2007, 12:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
RickyG Moderator Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Under Your Mouse! Posts: 1,124	I am at a puter that i cannot get int my CPanel... I can check later tonight. I would also do the NO INDEX!! The one I am talking about is so they cannot view what is in the folder. __________________ Arcade Banner Exchange, game packs, top site, arcade script and forum for all of your arcade needs http://www.mibbi.com This site stinks!! www.farting.us

11-13-2007, 01:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jmz Full Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 87	Yes I'm using windows XP. I installed XAMPP (not sure if you're familiar with it) but that installs Apache, PHP and MySQL. Obviously if you want to be extra careful you could get it working on your computer then check it on a testing domain/folder and then make the changes on your site.

11-13-2007, 02:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
brendgard Gamer FX Staff Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 674	I've been know to do it that way too. I used to have a development box with Linux installed. It's too crowded here to do that now lol. It is a good way to go though. __________________ http://gamersgo.com A list of arcade related sites, add yours. http://auntiefondy.com Lists, add your site. http://kbsplace.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode