Your own web server for free !

[MadGamer]

Originally Posted by Pem

Is that a serious question ?

Well it was really. Sorry for all the trouble.

[andygrif]

Thanks for all this info chaps - so for someone who has read the Dummies guide to Apache, PHP and MySQL - and been left thoroughly bemused (please don't try to help me on those my brain won't take it) is the general consensus that Aprelium is the way forward me?

All I want to do is stick a database on a website and search it - simple! Will this work for me, and what else would I need to make it happen? I have a nice spare machine ready to go with this, running XP Pro. Any ideas?

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by andygrif

...someone who has read the Dummies guide to Apache, PHP and MySQL...

Just a note - the Dummies series isn't very good at all. I have a few of their books, including the Apache one, and they lack information and gloss over stuff. There are better books out there. Pretty much everything you need to understand and configure Apache is on their website anyway.

[andygrif]

Thanks for the tip - yep the Dummies book started out well by talking to me like I was a three year old (which when it comes to fiddling with servers and the like I am) then suddenly it assumes that I know it all leaving me thoroughly bemsued!

[MadGamer]

Try Sams Teach Yourself books

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Just a note - the Dummies series isn't very good at all. I have a few of their books, including the Apache one, and they lack information and gloss over stuff. There are better books out there. Pretty much everything you need to understand and configure Apache is on their website anyway.

The xxxxx for Dummies series isn't all written by the same person, so they're not all bad just because one or two of them are. As a matter of fact, the Mac ones are pretty good, as the author (David Pogue) is a Mac whizz. Can't speak for the ones mentioned above, tho.

[Richard M]

I'd just go with Apache/PHP/MySQL and then post here for help if you get stuck.
I'm very experienced in configuring this lot to work on Windows 2000/XP.

[andygrif]

So if I buy you a pint will you come round my house and make it work????

Thanks for the offer of advice though - much appreciated. I may give it a go, but it all looks a little too confusing for my feeble brain - but I guess that's how you learn how it works!

[Richard M]

I'll just mention that I have to install this setup on another computer right now for dev work so I'll document the process for you.

[andygrif]

You are a scholar and a gentleman sir! Perhaps you should put it in print, you could make a fortune!!

[greencreeper]

Not sure what your knowledge is but if you do get a working setup it might be an idea to break the learning curve into chunks. Say, tackle PHP first and get the hang of it, then maybe have a go at creating a database with a few tables, then trying getting data in the database to appear on a web page, then try getting data input into a form to appear in the database. The database bit is the hardest bit IMHO

[KingPhoenix]

Ricahrd is VERY good, he designed parts of the i-web website..... (the Special offers/testimonials/news input/management/output system.... )

[Richard M]

Well here you go, I've written this as I go and it's all fully working on WinXP.
Part 2 will come later, it's even easier to install MySQL but get PHP running first, any problem give me a shout

[andygrif]

Thanks Richard, much appreciated - I'll give that a look over the weekend.

[Richard M]

In case I've made typos in that, the Apache directory should be "c:\Apache2\" not "c:\Apache 2\".
I just noticed another one and I think you downloaded the text file already...