Do you want to experiment with any of the following hosted software applications without buying domain names or spending money on web hosting?
1. Google Apps - with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and more.
2. WordPress.org - hosted version of WordPress where you can install plugins, download new themes and more.
3. MediaWiki - powerful wiki software that also powers Wikipedia
4. phpBB - software for running your own web forums.
If the answer is yes, Dreamhost just launched a new service that may interest you. It’s called Dreamhost Apps where you get free hosting for Google Apps, WordPress, Drupal and other popular hosted web software.
You can either use your own web domain or block a sub-domain like labnol.dreamhosters.com that will become the main address of your site. Dreamhost will manage all the databases and DNS entries - you’ll get an email as soon as the services are setup and ready for use.
Dreamhost Apps is absolutely free and you don’t need a PayPal account or credit card to sign-up so there’s no risk of getting charged later. Simply sign-up using an invite code, pick the services that you want to install and done.
Dreamhost Apps is useful even you already have a domain or have signed up with some other web host – in that case you may use Dreamhost Apps as your playground to test stuff like Drupal, phpBB, MediaWiki or to check if your current themes and plugins are compatible with the latest release of WordPress.
Deamhost Apps is free only during the beta period but if you sign-up now, it will remain free for you forever. Also note that Dreamhost Apps doesn’t offer FTP or shell access so you will not be able to install custom PHP scripts or MySQL databases.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/internet/google-apps-without-web-domain/6456/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Not a word about the space limit. Free… but I guess there is a hidden space limit. Any idea?
Written by Radu on 01.10.09
The above invite codes have been used. I miss it! Anyone give me another? Thanks!
Written by Vượng on 01.10.09
Thanks for sharing this useful information…
Infact I was searching for a best website hosting to experiment the Word press platform..
But now I can experiment with this one…
Written by fasil on 01.10.09
How much space does it provide?
Written by TechPaparazzi on 01.10.09
It seems like a great idea in theory, but unless Dreamhost has changed the way they handle support over the past few years, I’d stay far away.
I used to host with them. They answered support tickets when they felt like them, usually after the problem was solved. No phone support (except for a call-back, which once again they waited until there was nothing to talk about, even if it took days). So if there was an issue and you had users screaming at you because the site was down or they couldn’t get their email, you had to say “I have absolutely no idea what’s going on. I submitted a support ticket 2/4/6 hours ago.” Maybe it’s just me, but I found that unacceptable.
It’s bad enough that Google doesn’t support their apps well, throw Dreamhost on top of that and it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Written by Judi Sohn on 01.10.09
Unfortunately, the invitation codes on the link you mention have dried out. All used. Would there be other places where we could get this link from?
Written by Atul on 01.10.09
do u have any invitation code - pls send
Written by ravi on 01.10.09
I could not find a working code. I hope they post new ones soon in their blog.
Written by Raman on 01.10.09
Wow, That means now anyone can have a custom email id. So the previlege that webmasters enjoyed till date is now over.. ;)
Heading over to Dream host apps..
UPDATE: Their landing page looks cool.. !!!
Written by Arun Basil Lal on 01.10.09
Thanks Amit!!!
and here are the new codes!
link
be the first to grab one
Written by Abhishek on 01.10.09
Thanks, that was nice.
I wonder why you say codes r finished!
I just used codes and registered a site; and as the time of comment suggests, I searched there after you.
just search through them and you’ll find something.
Written by Mahdi on 01.11.09
@all - if you are still looking for invites to Dreamhost Apps, check this link
@Radu - true, there’s no mention about any space limit or bandwidth caps.
@Judi - Digital Inspiration is hosted on Dreamhost as well and its true that they don’t seem to have any SLAs for answering your support request. I use email support since the phone option is only available in US. My experience says that their service downtime has reduced since November.
@Arun - I don’t know if using Dreamhost apps (free hosting + free domain) is good option for email since your email address would become so long link
Written by Amit on 01.11.09
I tried earlier and kept being directed to signing up.
I started signing up with the 2 year special price which is excellent..then realised I still need a base, and wordpress is free..so went there and ended up with a new blog called worldschool
All those aps you can get if you have gmail or are with google anyway…and with other sites you may have..
Its no big deal if you missed out..its free anyway from gmail…so go get them there.
Thank you for a wonderful journey..been playing around all day after discovering I should maybe get another free blog for my new Business..the Online Classroom…
Happy New Year and Thanks for all the great links you have shared..
Maggi
Written by Maggi on 01.11.09
I failed to grab the promo code on the first attempt that is yesterday and today one to of the code clicked out for me..
Thanks Amit…
Written by fasil on 01.11.09
Hi Amit…
It seems there is no cpanel option for these web hosts offered by dream host.I just signed up and tried to install a wordpress template. There is no cpanel option or FTP access. What are the other option to install a new wordpress template.kindly let me know any other option to install a custom wordpress templates in this free dreamhost option…
Written by fasil on 01.11.09
Dreamhost has a very autocratic way of functioning. They treat their customers very badly. If you get some sudden traffic spurt, they just remove your site and then you can just keep on emaling them like mad and wait for days . I have had a Very Bad Experience with them.
I would not use even a free service from them..
Written by techlee on 01.12.09
Hi amit,
If you’ve got any code for signing up dreamhost appz, Could i have one? Im searching all over the net world
Written by Raheel on 01.14.09
Just in case anybody wanted in, they’re now letting in 10,000 more people..
Written by Josh on 02.06.09
Hello, but I can’t find where to install plugins on DreamHost Apps Wordpress. Can you please tell us? Thanks,
Written by Greyhound on 02.08.09