Personal web pages service

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

Personal web pages service provides a way for University of Oxford staff, researchers, and students to publish basic personal, departmental, or college web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with basic server-side scripting support (Server Side Includes and SafePerl CGI) on a multi-user Linux hosting environment.

Target Customer

Oxford University users including staff, researchers, students, and editors responsible for department/college web pages who want to publish personal, departmental, or college sites.

Key Differentiator

Controlled multi-user hosting with Safe Perl and Server Side Includes, reinforced by adherence to the Rules for Oxford University Websites, plus a self-service activation workflow and built-in webpage management features (quota, logs, access controls).

Implementation Timeline

Activation of shell account and webspace can take up to 15 minutes; once files are uploaded to public_html, pages can be viewed at the public URL (e.g., http://users.ox.ac.uk/~abcd1234) after deployment.

Pain Points

1Need to publish basic web pages without managing full-featured hosting or complex server configurations.
2Managing webspace quota, activation timing, and ongoing access/configuration in a multi-user environment.
3Balancing security and accessibility (e.g., restricting access, validating code) within a shared hosting platform.

Key Features

1Create pages with HTML, CSS and JavaScript; support for Server Side Includes (SSI) and SafePerl CGI scripts.
2Self-service activation workflow for shell account and webspace provisioning (activation up to 15 minutes).
3Upload content via SFTP to public_html; SafePerl scripts to cgi folder; home page named index.html.
4Public access to pages at http://users.ox.ac.uk/~abcd1234 (abcd1234 is the Oxford username).
5Default webspace quota of 100 MB with option to request additional space via Service Desk.
6Validation and accessibility checks (HTML validator, CSS validator, WAVE accessibility tool).
7Access control options via .htaccess and htpasswd for restricting access to webpages.
8Guidance and references to Oxford Mosaic/Comprehensive Web Hosting for more advanced features.
9Templates and examples for customizing error pages and redirects (e.g., 404.html and redirects).

Target Customer Industries

1Education

Client Results

1Publicly accessible personal/department/college web pages hosted on Oxford’s systems.
2Secure, server-side scripting options limited to SSI and SafePerl CGI within a multi-user environment.
3Self-service provisioning with a defined storage quota and tooling for validation and accessibility checks.

Competitive Advantages

1Security-conscious, multi-user hosting with restrictions (no full Perl, PHP, or Python) and Safe Perl protections.
2Self-service workflow for activation and webspace management, with clear procedural steps.
3Direct public URL access for published pages and built-in validation/ accessibility checks.
4Fine-grained access control options (via .htaccess and htpasswd) and guidance on redirects and custom errors.
5Compliance guidance via Rules for Oxford University Websites.

Key Benefits

1Ease of publishing basic web pages without managing full hosting infrastructure

2Self-service activation and provisioning (with a 15-minute typical activation window)

3Public accessibility via a dedicated URL format (http://users.ox.ac.uk/~username)

4Built-in validation and accessibility checks

5Security controls through .htaccess/htpasswd and Safe Perl restrictions

6Defined storage quota (100 MB) with options to request more

Additional Product Information

Product Description

Oxford IT Services' Personal web pages service enables users to publish basic personal, departmental, or college web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with optional Server Side Includes and SafePerl CGI scripting on a shared Linux hosting environment. It includes activation, file transfer via SFTP, a 100 MB default quota, and guidelines for validation, accessibility, and access control in line with Oxford’s website rules.

Target Market

University of Oxford staff, researchers, students, departments, and colleges who need to publish simple, standards-compliant web pages.

Unique Value Proposition

A secure, self-service, university-governed hosting solution that supports basic client-side and limited server-side scripting (SSI and SafePerl CGI) with clear guidelines, accessibility validation, and adherence to Oxford website rules, all within a defined storage quota.

Technical Requirements

{"SFTP client required for file transfer","Server host: linux.ox.ac.uk; Port: 22; Username: Oxford username (e.g., abcd1234); Password: Oxford SSO password","Upload HTML, CSS, JavaScript to public_html; SafePerl scripts to cgi folder","Home page must be named index.html and placed in public_html","If index.html is missing, server lists directory contents","Pre-2016 accounts may require makeweblinks to create public_html and cgi folders","Use .htaccess to restrict access; htpasswd for user authentication","Public URL: http://users.ox.ac.uk/~abcd1234","Server-side includes (SSI) allowed with .shtml extension","Safe Perl CGI scripting allowed; full Perl, PHP or Python not available","Validation: W3C HTML/CSS validators; accessibility via WAVE","Custom error pages and redirects supported (e.g., 404.html, redirects)"}

Pricing Model

Not specified in the provided content

Companies Solving Similar Problems

Based on matching: problems solved, key features, industries

Y Combinator

Y Combinator helps startups make something people want by providing early-stage funding, mentorship, and a strong network.

Technology

E-commerce

Dell Technology Solutions

Dell provides technology solutions, services, and support, offering a wide range of products including laptops, desktops, servers, storage, monitors, gaming accessories, and more.

Healthcare

Finance

SentientJobs

SentientJobs provides a comprehensive job board for AI, human, and hybrid positions, helping individuals find career opportunities in the evolving workforce landscape.