For one, any changes you make to the system, including configuration files
or changes you make to get it to do what you want, etc., will be lost any
time you have to reboot the OS.

I guess it's possible you can make you own bootable CD... but I don't really
see why. The only Pro you mentioned (viruses) is not much of a concern for
a linux system. At least that is what I have heard folks saying. I would
add to the pros that it is more secure when entering personal information in
browsers (in that you don't have to worry about the data being stored
permenantly on disk or in some browser cache). As other cons, there is
going to be a fairly significant loss in speed.

I had a few ideas one you already know run Ubuntu or a OS
from disc "or" I considered running my finished website on disc so it couldn't
be hacked or altered anyone.

Running your website from a WORM CD or DVD would certainly prevent
hacking, if that is a major concern. Is your material so controversial
that bad people are likely to target you? Not many of us ordinary
folks are in much danger...

Moreover a website on a disc is much more labour intensive to revise
and update, since it requires a new burn every time. That becomes a
website that is seldom updated and is therefore not interesting enough
to get much repeat traffic. Is this an acceptable trade-off?

Nope there is nothing controversial or special about my site/sites other than
the fact I'm precautious over my work. I'm a slow coder and take a lot of time
and effort to get it right and work out all the kinks. So when I do host my own
site on my Ubuntu server I don't want to worry of corrupt files creating dead
links or content. I thought hackers or viruses may cause this. Which they'd be
no reason for anyone to hack me I'd simply be hosting a fan site to an old
book/tv show and later a hobby site of sorts.

The best way to safeguard your computer is not to use it to host a public
website. Find a low cost or even free web housing service and upload your
files as necessary. If they get hacked or compromised your system is still
intact.

Do it normally from your hard drive,
install all the updates,
and use the time you save
making lots of backups to external hard drives?

One very major problem with that idea. Computers / servers etc do not
'Run from HD' or 'Run from CD' - everything runs in memory and is as
vulnerable to attack as any other PC that's not locked down. Servers
by their very nature are designed to be open to all so locking them
down against attack is not as simple as running an AV program or
Firewall.

Also running a server on a home DSL service has its own issues,
firstly the data traffic that it's likely to generate and secondly
your ISP more than likely expressly forbids it in their T&C ( due to
this high traffic load ) so you'd run the risk have having your
account pulled if you persisted - you'd get a warning or two first I'd
expect.

The suggestion of hosting on a reliable service and keeping local
backups is the way you'd need to go IMHO.

L> I considered running my finished website on disc so it couldn't be
L> hacked or altered anyone.