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