Q:

Setting up SVN - Web based services VS your own SVN server

I intend to implement subversioning for projects developed on with a handful of people in the same location. I am reviewing the options on whether to use a web based SVN storage or install SVN on a local machine and use it as the main repository.
My command line knowledge is OK and I haven't done much server management however I am all up for learning.
At the moment to me using a web based service (eg. assembla.com) is the clearer choice as the only disadvantage is having to pay (a reasonable) fee for the service.
Using a web service all server maintained and support is taken care of and requires little to no configuration by myself.
While setting up a server yourself would be cheaper how difficult would it be to set up and maintain a repository.
I would just like some ideas on the distinct advantages / disadvantages of each choice.
Thanks for your time.

A:

If your server is windows based, Visual SVN Server makes setting up a repository and configuring it trivial. It's completely GUI based and free (the non enterprise version anyway).
That being said, you have to balance that with the trade off that if you host yourself you have to worry about planning for failures, disasters, etc. The benefit of paying a host is they take care of all that for you, so it will just depend on your needs.

