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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up my Worldgroup netVillage?
Do I need any other special software?
I am running my netVillage on a home computer, how do I deal with firewalls and stuff?
How do I get a domain name like www.mysitenamehere.com?
I'd like to know more about "Social Networking"


How do I set up my Worldgroup netVillage?

You just install it, by running the setup.exe program, onto a computer that has internet access, and once it is running, you have a complete online web site and Social Networking community. After you install it, to get it running, just run the application start/programs/worldgroup server/Worldgroup Server. You'll see it appear on the screen showing you an "audit trail" of activity (when people log in, grab files, etc). To turn it off just stop the program. If you chose to have it "run as a service" when you installed the program it'll start up automaticially in the background when you start your computer, otherwise you'll have to start it each time. The netVillage software, called Worldgroup, is what is known as a "Web Server".

Do I need any other special software?

Our package is completely turn-key. The netVillage Social Networking platform does not require any additional software. You don't need to install a database, or a mail server, or even a web server. It's all included. You don't need to know PHP, or HTML, or Linux. Just run setup.exe and your service is online in 5 minutes.

I am running my netVillage on a home computer, how do I deal with firewalls and stuff?

Ok, this is where it can get kinda tricky. Sometimes an ISP (the guy providing your Internet access) will try to make it difficult for you to run a web server on your own. Sometimes, to protect you, an ISP may have various firewalls and ports closed to stop it as well. In addition, a web server generally requires a 'static' IP address, however an ISP often gives you a dynamic one (one that changes every few weeks). In the later case, you'll need a Dynamic IP address service which you can get from sites like www.dyndns.com or www.changemyip.com. Or you can buy a static IP from your ISP.

When your netVillage is installed and running, you have to configure your network and firewalls to allow access to the web server by surfers on the Internet. To do this, you will need to configure your router's port forwarding settings. Visit PortForward.com for a list of guides by router and service. (For reference, any service you can access with a web browser uses HTTP on TCP port 80). You will also need to allow this port in your firewall software, such as Windows Firewall or Norton Internet Security.

When you have configured port forwarding in your router, you will need to test your network externally (from outside). To do this, get your network's external IP address from WhatIsMyIp, or express VPN what is my IP then have a friend try to visit the IP address or use this Open Port Tool to test your network.

How do I get a domain name like www.mysitenamehere.com?

A domain name is a name like "netvillage.com" or "facebook.com", which you can use to refer to your website. Note that you do not have to be a company or organisation to register a domain name. Any individual can do it too.

Getting a domain name involves registering the name you want with an organisation called ICANN through a domain name registrar. For example, if you choose a name like "example.com", you will have to go to a registrar, pay a registration fee that costs around US$10 to US$35 for that name. That will give you the right to the name for a year, and you will have to renew it annually for (usually) the same amount per annum.

Click here to find out more about Domain Name Registrars.

How can I find out more about "Social Networking"?

If there's anyone who knows about "social networking" its the "Tea Lady". She's been pouring our tea and coffee, baking our cakes and pies, and lending an ear to our e-community concepts since before the web was born. Her tray is full of pastries, but her mind is full of ideas. Check out the Social networking Tea Lady at