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Because it doesn't require you to run an HTTP server, FTP server, or install an FTP client.
by radlad 7mo ago
Because it doesn't require you to run an HTTP server, FTP server, or install an FTP client.
- tjoff 7mo agoFinding an HTTP+FTP server was easier than finding github. Your OS probably has a FTP client installed already, but finding another one is easier than finding and most definitely easier than learning git. And if you already knew how to write/make HTML you'd for sure already know all of that too.
- radlad 7mo agoThis is definitely a matter of perspective. I have had a Github account since 2010, and git comes installed on Linux and macOS. I don't always have a server available to host an HTTP+FTP server on. Or want to pay for one, or spend time setting one up. I can trust that Github Pages will have reasonable uptime, and I won't have to monitor it at all. > And if you already knew how to write/make HTML you'd for sure already know all of that too. This seems unnecessarily aggressive, and I don't really understand where it's coming from. BTW, you can absolutely host plain HTML with Github Pages. No SSG required.
- lazyasciiart 7mo ago> And if you already knew how to write/make HTML you'd for sure already know all of that too. That's a completely false statement. My kid took very basic programming classes in school which covered HTML so they could build webpages, which is a fantastic instant-results method. Hooray, now the class is finished, he wants to put it on the web. Just like millions of other kids who couldn't even spell FTP.
- kbolino 7mo agoI touched on the issues with FTP itself in another comment, but who can forget the issues with HTTP+FTP, like: modes (644 or 755? wait, what is a umask?), .htaccess, MIME mappings, "why isn't index.html working?", etc. Every place had a different httpd config and a different person you had to email to (hopefully) get it fixed.
- lmm 7mo ago> Finding an HTTP+FTP server was easier than finding github. No it wasn't. Seriously, where?
- skydhash 7mo agoThere was a lot of sites that provided some cpanel-like option as long as you're ok with yourcoolname.weirdhostingname.com. I believe they all came with a filebrowser and the always present public_html folder.
- lmm 7mo agoThere was geocities (now gone) and a couple of *.tk domains that would inject their ads all over your page. Neither makes a great substitute for GitHub pages these days.
- shunia_huang 7mo agoIt'd be nice to mention some big names here that are capable of: a) git pull & push for updates b) good enough CDN distribution, sometimes interactive examples/project page loads tons of files c) good enough security promises of the entire platform/infra d) good enough serviceable time, we do not need 99.9999SLA but better not down often e) have generous free tier f) great DX & UX, this one is small but small headache adds up quickly
- Diti 7mo agoDidn’t your ISP provide you with free FTP storage? The French ones did, at least.