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
You can beat web forums until your face becomes blue from bruising. It's a valid way to go, but painful.
My advice?
1) Stop using your Windows machine, (dual) boot into Linux and work in it natively for at least a year. Once the flavor of Unix seeps under your skin, you'll discover the limitations of both Windows and Linux. EG: Gaming sucks under Linux, server hosting and software programming are both lame on Windows.
2) Get a good "getting started" book. $40 at the local B & N can save you days/weeks of frustration, and is very cheap education. I'd suggest "Red Hat Linux Unleashed" by Que. If that's too far along, try a "for dummies" book. There's plenty more advanced as well.
3) Realize, that most of using *nix systems come down to not knowing it all, but knowing where to go to figure it out. Get good and familiar with man, info, and google!
-Ben
On Tuesday 02 May 2006 14:05, Phillips, Tod wrote:
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:
- 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).
I'd like to learn PHP and Apache while I'm reworking the site.
Learn all there is to know (ok, maybe just enough to not be
dangerous) about securing the server.
- 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.
- 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
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--- "Phillips, Tod" TPhillips@douglasfurniture.com wrote:
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:
- 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).
- I'd like to learn PHP and Apache while I'm
reworking the site.
- Learn all there is to know (ok, maybe just enough
to not be dangerous) about securing the server.
- 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.
- 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,
At a minimum I would suggest you have 2 boxes assuming your company/you can afford it.
Box 1 - Do a workstation install - Install things needed for your desktop environment like "GNOME Desktop Environment" - Installing a GIU and production webserver on the same machine will degrade its performance. - Yum update (very important) - Enjoy!
Box 2 - No X is to be installed - Do a server install/get the SERVERCD if and when it becomes available. I haven't seen the contents of the said SERVERCD so I can only guess. Alternatively installing CD1 and unselecting all options will give you a barebones install. - you can then groupinstall "Web Server" "MySQL Database". See man yum. - Yum update (very important) - Enjoy!
What issues did you have with the "CentOS 4.3 Perfect Setup"? You can post your comments at the tutorial site so that the author takes account your experience/setbacks.
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Benjamin Smith -
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Phillips, Tod