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
@RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main “but how can I do that when my domain doesn’t exist yet?” I am not sure to understand your specific context, but do note that you can configure any nameserver to be authoritative on any fictional name you want, and make sure it replies properly. It doesn’t matter (won’t be used by anyone) until the *delegation* (from parent) is being set, which happens at the registrar where you define nameservers for the domain.
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
@jpl @RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main But technically you can totally register a domain without nameservers. Or later remove nameservers totally from a registered domain. Registration and resolution are separate things, even if they intersect, at least at the registrar when setting nameservers (sent to the registry which in turn publish them)
@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.
@RareBird15 @virtuous_sloth @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main There is nothing “weird” in having 2 separate companies, one for registration, one for hosting/DNS provider. IF your nameservers are Vultr.com ones currently, this is where you should edit your zone. You can only edit records at your DNS provider, where the domain is registered has no influence on how it gets resolved.
@pmevzek @RareBird15 @selfhost @selfhosting @selfhosted @mastoblind @main
Thanks for pointing that out, Patrick. When I read “weird” I think my brain turned off and didn’t process the rest of the sentence.Lanie, perhaps try the trick I described above to create dotted records in your main domain. This saves you from having to having to stand up your own DNS server for the subdomain or have to pay for hosting a second domain.
Sorry, what’s preventing you from adding the subdomains in the Vultr DNS?
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.
@Grumpy @RareBird15 No. Glue records serve a specific need and have nothing to do with the problem depicted here. They are relevant only when having in-bailiwick nameservers, and your registrar will handle that when you create the host objects (that is change the nameservers at registry side), it has nothing to do with content of the zone.
@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
@ocean @RareBird15 Might want to read the fine prints. Cloudflare will require you to use their nameservers. You can’t choose the DNS provider you wish. Maybe fine, maybe not, but has to be taken into account, I was too often in threads where people complain to late that their domain is now tied to Cloudflare nameservers.
I don’t see why that’s a problem, I want to use their security features and proxy :)
@ocean I am not judging myself if this is a problem or not, as it is subjective and depends on a whole context, so it will differ for each case. Just saying “be aware of that, and the consequences of it, make sure that don’t get against the goals you have set”. Basically, “buyers beware”.
Yeah, it is good to be aware!
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
.sbs $1.74 USD/yr
