My apologies with the HTML encoding on the original post...I'll try not to do that again.

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From: centos-bounces@centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces@centos.org] On Behalf Of Phillips, Tod Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 3:05 PM To: centos@centos.org Subject: [CentOS] Suggestions on initial CentOS 4.3 Install packages

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...?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, grayfire1229@netscape.net