Hi everyone! How are you all doing tonight? I just had a frustrating experience trying to set up a free #domain or #subdomain for my #SelfHosted services. Unfortunately, I can’t use my laniecarmelo.tech domain because its current configuration doesn’t allow me to add subdomains.
I discovered EU.org, which offers free domains, and decided to give it a try. However, they require you to have authoritative #DNS #nameservers before requesting a domain. I tried using #Cloudflare, but it wasn’t authoritative. Then I looked into Hostry.com, Hurricane Electric DNS, and FreeDNS.
Hostry requires you to add DNS records for your domain before using their service—but how can I do that when my domain doesn’t exist yet? 🤦♀️ As for FreeDNS and Hurricane Electric, both have inaccessible #CAPTCHAs on their registration forms with no audio alternatives! 😡
At this point, I’m so frustrated that I’ve decided to take a break from figuring this out. If anyone has tips for setting up a free domain or knows of accessible DNS services, I’d really appreciate your advice! 🙏
#Accessibility #TechFrustration #WebHosting #BlindTech #blind #DisabilityInTech #tech #Technology #SelfHosting
@selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main
I can recomment OVH for domains and DNS hosting, I use them and have not had any issues setting up custom DNS records. Also they have an API that will allow you to get certificates with certbot and lets encrypt, even a wildcard.
@RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main desec.io has an audio captcha
@RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main Also, having to add NS entries before registering the domain is the usual way. Most registrars even check that on registration, I’d say
@RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main
I’m assuming by “current configuration” you have a DNS host that doesn’t allow adding NS records? One thing you might be able to do is create records like:host1.subdomain.laniecarmelo.tech A 1.2.3.4
host2.subdomain.laniecarmelo.tech A 1.2.3.5In my DNS host I can create a host1.subdomain A record without creating an actual subdomain (e.g. creating a subdomain.laniecarmelo.tech NS record).
@virtuous_sloth @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main No, my situation is weird. My domain is hosted on Porkbun.com but its nameservers point to Vultr.com, where my WordPress install is hosted on a friend’s server. Porkbun won’t let me edit DNS records or do much of anything with my domain unless I change back to the default nameservers, which would break my WordPress setup.
I don’t use porkbun so I can’t guide you in detail. But look for “glue records”. Some will just call this nameservers, ns record, or some other confusing and ambiguous lingo (like GoDaddy…). Glue records are separate from rest of the auth DNS servers. Even though you are essentially doing an A record.
So if you have example.com on porkbun, and auth nameservers for this same domain is going to be elsewhere, you can set glue records. Like…
ns1.example.com ns2.example.com
With specific IPs like 123.123.123.123
This will allow you to essentially do the first step and not end up in a cyclic problem of one requiring the other.
I assume this is what you’re referring to as the problem.
@RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main
ah, gotcha. I do hope that you find a solution.
This seems overly complicated. Why not just get a domain on cloud flare for $10? Are free domains even a thing outside github pages
iirc, cloudflare domains are literally at cost.
I’ve only hosted public sites for a year or so but cloudflare, cloudflare proxy, pointing at my servers is very easy :)
.coms are the cheapest at 10.44 I think
