PlanetDNS Client for Windows

If you're looking for a method of self-hosting a Web site, this client may offer the solution you want; however, novice users may find themselves in over their heads after installing this program.

PlanetDNS Client lets you use your desktop PC as a Web server. It downloaded and installed quickly, and installation was made simple by a wizard that first prompted us to respond with our level of expertise--Novice or Expert. We appreciated this attention to detail and the developers' focus on the user.

PlanetDNS has no interface to speak of, but its tabbed dialog box for configuring its settings, while functional, is clearly designed for ease of use. An icon for accessing the dialog box resides in the system tray. The program's wizard can help you create an Internet name for your computer (which gives you a constant URL, no matter how your IP address may change), or you can design your own; in either case, changing it later is simple to do.

PlanetDNS has a modular design, so you can add a number of plug-ins, which unfortunately aren't available with this demo version. Although PlanetDNS includes some novice-friendly elements, the program still requires a certain level of knowledge and expertise for comfortable and assured use. Because of its stability, low memory requirements, and ease of use, more experienced users looking for a reliable server will certainly want to try PlanetDNS.