CentOS - May 2006 - 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 at netscape.net
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My apologies with the HTML encoding on the original post...I'll try not
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________________________________

From: centos-bounces at centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On
Behalf Of Phillips, Tod
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 3:05 PM
To: centos at 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 at 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:
>  
> 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 at netscape.net
> 
> -- 
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
> believed to be clean.
> 
> 
-- 
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
- XEROX PARC slogan, circa 1978

Just want to say thanks for the responses, guys. This will help and
makes me feel a bit more comfortable about how I'm starting out.

-----Original Message-----
From: centos-bounces at centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On
Behalf Of Karanbir Singh
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 3:32 PM
To: CentOS mailing list
Subject: Re: [CentOS] Suggestions on initial CentOS 4.3 Install packages

Phillips, Tod wrote:
> My apologies with the HTML encoding on the original post...I'll try 
> not to do that again.
you are more likely to get people's attention by keeping it non-html
fluff :)

>  
> 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:
everything you want done, can be and will easily be done on 1 machine, i
would recommend you do a minimum install, then use yum to install
packages are you need to - you dont need everything up front as you
start coding / using the machine. Install as you go along - it will give
you a better understanding of what packages are available and what
depends on what.

Enjoy Linux!

- KB

--
Karanbir Singh : http://www.karan.org/ : 2522219 at icq
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CentOS mailing list
CentOS at centos.org
http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos

--- "Phillips, Tod" <TPhillips at 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:
>  
> 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,
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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