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May need to install Linux, but which dist?

  • 09-09-2010 09:13PM
    #1
    murphaph
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,991 ✭✭✭✭


    Ok,
    It looks like I may have to run an application from a Linux machine (PHP app over serial port, problems reading serial port in windows but a class is available for Linux).

    The Linux box will need Apache, PHP, mySQL and a browser installing on it. Any tips for doing this as quickly and painlessly as possible? Last time I touched Linux was many years ago when wireless routers were horribly expensive and a cheaper route was to equip a Linux box with a PCI wireless card and an ethernet card and let the box function as router/firewall (hardly ever crashed in fairness to it but was a biatch to set up, still remember that!).

    I don't really have the time to devote to learning Linux just to get what I need set up so if snyone can point me towards a painless way (I'm presuming Xampp will be involved) I'd appreciate it. The Linux box will actually have a virtual com port driver installed as it's a laptop and has no serial port, even though the microcontroller based peripheral I'll be communicating with is RS232 based.

    Cheers for any tips.


Comments

  • #2
    Eliot Rosewater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭Eliot Rosewater


    Given that you don't want to have to mess around with the OS I'd suggest you go for Ubuntu. Lots of people use this distro principally because it is so easy to use (Linux for human beings, etc.)

    It has Firefox by default.

    Installing the server stuff is a breeze on Ubuntu.

    Apache/PHP5: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/installing-php5-and-apache-on-ubuntu/

    MySQL: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/install-mysql-server-5-on-ubuntu/

    It only takes 6 commands in all.

    I can't comment on anything else your post; I'm not that well versed on that kind of thing. :D


  • #3
    murphaph
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,991 ✭✭✭✭murphaph


    Cheers Eliot. Just got round to installing this and I have to say: It was incredibly easy to get Ubuntu installed with PHP and mySQL. In comparison to Windows7 it was a dream!

    I'm sure there'll be more ups and downs but so far so good!


  • #4
    Eliot Rosewater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭Eliot Rosewater


    I'm glad it worked out for you!

    Yeah, installing software is one of the (many ;)) advantages Linux has over Windows. There's two gui programs for doing it: Ubuntu Software Centre for programs and Synaptic Package Manager for programs and packages. I generally just do it through the command line: `sudo apt-get <program>` usually does the business.

    And you never need to restart after installing or updating (barring kernel updates), but you obviously need to restart Apache if you install server tools.


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