Site Design/Server Questions

RoLLiNLoW54

well hello there..... i'm new here.... and i've got my own website... http://rollinlow54.com .... i pay 7 bux a month to be hosted through bravenet... but i'm looking to completely redesign the website using some up to date scripts like PHP/CGI.... and bravenet requires more money per month to host PHP enabled scripts and what not...... but besides that i really have no idea where to start.. i downloaded Apache2Triad.. but have no clue what to do with it.... i guess my question is where should i start.... and is there a way for me to host all of my files on my local computer, instead of having to pay bravenet to host my crap

BTW... i joined hotscripts.com forum and posted some questions... but that place looks pretty dead... so i figured i should ask here.... if anyone has any other forums i should look into... please let me know..... any help is greatly appreciated

RoLLiNLoW54

ttt 🙁

AVANT

I would try to look up PHP tutorial on google or something if you are new. But if you are new to programming in general, you may want to try a book.

My first php book was PHP visual blueprint and it was pretty easy for me to understand. ISBN is 0764535617.

As for hosting, there maybe cheaper, but just remember, you get what you pay for. So do a lot of research (consider, uptimes, security, space, bandwidth, etc) before you make your move.

Good Luck

RoLLiNLoW54

thanks man.... any other suggestions are gladly welcome... ive found a wealth of php resources on the net

marky2coats

I agree with AVANT with respect to getting a good book. A good reference book is ensential when starting to learn a new language.

I would also get a webserver running locally with a copy of PHP. If your running Windows get IIS or Xitami. They are easy to setup and PHP knows how to install itsself to these web servers.

When youve got that sorted you can start hacking away at some PHP without having the limitations, and the cost of your ISP.

Mark.

RoLLiNLoW54

Originally posted by marky2coats
I agree with AVANT with respect to getting a good book. A good reference book is ensential when starting to learn a new language.

I would also get a webserver running locally with a copy of PHP. If your running Windows get IIS or Xitami. They are easy to setup and PHP knows how to install itsself to these web servers.

When youve got that sorted you can start hacking away at some PHP without having the limitations, and the cost of your ISP.

Mark.

i couldnt find IIS, but i found Xitami... im installing now... ill keep u up to date as im sure im going to need some help

RoLLiNLoW54

so i installed xitami... but i don't think its made to work on XP.... its not listed under the supported OS's....

RoLLiNLoW54

i found IIS..... microsoft windows server right? it says i have to buy it?

s3aund3r

At home I use php triad for testing my scripts.....besides the components you now need it also contains MYSQL which you will probably have to use later on for database stuff 🙂.....it`s simple and runs under -as far as i know - all window os. And it is freeware !

I also use a dynamic dns, so that I can make little scripts for testing purpouse available for other's without having to pay for webspace. My router's updating the IP automatically, so i don't have to take care if IP-changes........

But for sure, dyndns is only a solution for testing, cause my bandwith and uptime is pretty far behind of what a professional webhoster can provide....

Hope this may help a little bit 🙂

RoLLiNLoW54

Originally posted by s3aund3r
At home I use php triad for testing my scripts.....besides the components you now need it also contains MYSQL which you will probably have to use later on for database stuff 🙂.....it`s simple and runs under -as far as i know - all window os. And it is freeware !

I also use a dynamic dns, so that I can make little scripts for testing purpouse available for other's without having to pay for webspace. My router's updating the IP automatically, so i don't have to take care if IP-changes........

But for sure, dyndns is only a solution for testing, cause my bandwith and uptime is pretty far behind of what a professional webhoster can provide....

Hope this may help a little bit 🙂

i downloaded apache2triad... but theres just so much stuff... i couldnt figure it out... where could i get php triad... and could u help me with the setup? if you have AIM my screen name is RoLLiNLoW54

s3aund3r

installing php triad is one of the simplest things to do.....just follow the install instructions and read the help carefully......after installing it should run after every startup by itself.......try it out by opening a browser and typing localhost......after all it seems u got what u need...apache and php, so until u dont need a database u ´don´t need to install php traid ....it contains the same things u already have and just has a databse in addition, but installing your package should just be as simple 🙂 If u have any specific problem installing i will surely help you as far as i can ....but i guess it`s easier for you to read the readme at first than having me explained everything in detail here, especially in regard to my limited english knowledge 😃 .

I'm sorry for not having any messenger installed, it keeps me away from work :p .

If u search phptriad, try google, that should give u some usefull links on installing, too.

If u want me to mail -np, i can give you my addy via pn.

RoLLiNLoW54

Originally posted by s3aund3r
installing php triad is one of the simplest things to do.....just follow the install instructions and read the help carefully......after installing it should run after every startup by itself.......try it out by opening a browser and typing localhost......after all it seems u got what u need...apache and php, so until u dont need a database u ´don´t need to install php traid ....it contains the same things u already have and just has a databse in addition, but installing your package should just be as simple 🙂 If u have any specific problem installing i will surely help you as far as i can ....but i guess it`s easier for you to read the readme at first than having me explained everything in detail here, especially in regard to my limited english knowledge 😃 .

I'm sorry for not having any messenger installed, it keeps me away from work :p .

If u search phptriad, try google, that should give u some usefull links on installing, too.

If u want me to mail -np, i can give you my addy via pn.

well.... i uninstalled apache2triad.... it just seems to confusing... is there a slim down version that will run on xp.... i dont even think apache2triad worked on my xp home edition....

RoLLiNLoW54

alright folks the site is up and running... i downlaoded and installed apache 2.0.... im having one problem.... the only people that can access my website through my IP address are people on campus on the same network.... anyone have any ideas? and also, what do i have to do to redirect my domain name to my IP address?

Norman_Graham

Hi Rollin and hi to Rochester (spent some time there many years ago)

As a beginner, you don't seriously want to host your website on your own computer, i.e. opening your IP to the whole world??? This means having your computer on 24/7/365 and it means configuring Apache to deal with the traffic and provide heavy security ... and it means a hell of lot more than 7 dollars a month in bandwidth. It can all be done, of course, but you might want to save that game for later if you're new to programming and so on.

The point of having Apache on your machine is so that you can test PHP scripts (and also Perl/CGI if you fancy) on your own computer and don't have to load them up to your provider first before finding out if they actually work. PHP is server-side, so you have to have a webserver in order to test the scripts. This doesn't mean you have to host your website on your own computer.

HTH

Norm

RoLLiNLoW54

Originally posted by Norman Graham
Hi Rollin and hi to Rochester (spent some time there many years ago)

As a beginner, you don't seriously want to host your website on your own computer, i.e. opening your IP to the whole world??? This means having your computer on 24/7/365 and it means configuring Apache to deal with the traffic and provide heavy security ... and it means a hell of lot more than 7 dollars a month in bandwidth. It can all be done, of course, but you might want to save that game for later if you're new to programming and so on.

The point of having Apache on your machine is so that you can test PHP scripts (and also Perl/CGI if you fancy) on your own computer and don't have to load them up to your provider first before finding out if they actually work. PHP is server-side, so you have to have a webserver in order to test the scripts. This doesn't mean you have to host your website on your own computer.

HTH

Norm

well, quite frankly, i know its not going to be easy, but im looking forward to learning... its essential that i know how to host and maintain my own webserver in my field. i've already got the computer needed to host the site on a high speed connection, and am experimenting with configuring apache, i just need a little guidance. as far as php goes, thats primarily the reason i came up with the idea to host on my own computer, and am already playing around with a little php

jds580s

Originally posted by RoLLiNLoW54
...what do i have to do to redirect my domain name to my IP address?

I just put up a simple tutorial on setting up a web server off of DSL, Cable or other high speed connections.

How to Setup Your Own Free Web Server

If the redirect is all your interested in you can skip to "Overcoming Dynamic IP Addresses"

It doesn't cover installation of PHP but it might help out with other stuff.

Justin