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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN class=319160321-02052006>Hello,
all...</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=319160321-02052006></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN class=319160321-02052006></SPAN>I'm
attempting to learn Linux (on a CentOS setup) by doing something productive at
the same time. I've already installed<SPAN class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>it
twice...once with a "full, just install everything" setup and another by
following the Perfect CentOS 4.3 Web Server<SPAN class=319160321-02052006>
</SPAN>Setup instructions on HowToForge.com. Though I've had issues with both, I
have a lot of patience and time is not a big<SPAN class=319160321-02052006>
</SPAN>concern.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What I'd like to do is get some advice from the
community on a good initial setup for my system by listing out some of<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>the things I hope to do:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1) Set up a test Web Server for development of a
soon-to-be-deployed rework of a client's website (I'll host the<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>production site w/ an outside
company).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2) I'd like to learn PHP and Apache while I'm
reworking the site.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>3) Learn all there is to know (ok, maybe just
enough to not be dangerous) about securing the server<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006>.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4) Develop a program, most likely in C/C++, that
can talk with my Company's mainframe and its communications<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>software, either through web services/xml
interfaces or directly through some sort of COM / .NET equivalent. The end<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>result would be an application that can run on
any Linux box with an Internet connection, giving users the ability<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>to access and modify mainframe data, enter
orders, etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>5) Be able to retrieve email, surf the net, write
and read documents (general office stuff) to become both more<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>familiar with Linux apps AND to keep from
needing to run to a different PC for these needs when they arise.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I know I'll need the X Windows and Gnome stuff, but
I'm concerned about dependencies and/or conflicts<SPAN class=319160321-02052006>
</SPAN>between the packages necessary for everything I want to do. I certainly
want to use the Terminal prompts whenever<SPAN class=319160321-02052006>
</SPAN>possible -- particularly for setting up the networking and Apache server
-- so that I can <SPAN class=319160321-02052006>b</SPAN>egin to learn
Linux/Unix.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The question really becomes: Can I do it all on one
box or am I going to create a nightmare for myself because of<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>overlapping programs that "hijack" critical
functions from the web server, or vice-versa? I erased my original install<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>(with everything) because it seemed more
important to me to learn what it was I needed and install it manually later<SPAN
class=319160321-02052006> </SPAN>on if and when the need arose. Good thinking
or...?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Your thoughts are greatly appreciated,<BR><A
href="mailto:grayfire1229@netscape.net">grayfire1229@netscape.net</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>