By JimBracher on

I'm a drupal newbie, I've heard about it but never used it, and now it's time.

So my questions-
1- Does drupal require database calls or can in install it to only create static pages (I have looked through the handbooks, but couldn't find an explicit answer).
2- can someone point me at a similar site (the "sites that use drupal" is currently not available) where I can ask about server load for my next conversation with the web host?

I'm creating a community site and the hosting will be donated on a shared server.

The community is regional; the content will be discussions, event information, best practices, tutorials, forums, essays/articles, and perhaps a blog.

We don't expect hundreds of users.

The webhost is concerned about server load. They are willing to install what we want, but strongly prefer a cms that generates static pages rather than something that requires multiple database calls per page request.

The designer-in-chief has heard of drupal and wants to use it.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

ixis.dylan’s picture

ixis.dylan commented

Although Drupal doesn't generate static pages, it does have a decent cache system that significantly reduces the load. Any web server should be able to handle a few simple database queries per page, and if this one can't then you may have to bite the bullet and buy yourself a "real" account on a server that can. A simple hosting account should cost you less than $10 a month.

Assuming this will be a quiet site, your host probably won't even notice the extra load.

demolicious | leafish

JimBracher’s picture

JimBracher commented

Thanks for the response.

I'm willing to pay the server costs, I don't think we'd need to pay much either.