Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

--Helen-- · 02:46 PM

I fell over and died.

Apocalypse · Sep 7, 2001, 02:42 AM

I use OS X client for everything I do including my web server and web development: (Shown here)

Since I don't use OS X Server I can't be totally sure of these answers but the real answers could only be better (since OS X Server is the same as OS X client just with extra features and support).

Now down to business:

The OS X box should work at least as well as the NT box (in my experience, OS X is more stable). Also, since the internet was founded on Unix technologies, it makes sense that a Unix-based system would work better than the windows kludge that is NT.

OS X comes with Apache pre-installed. This is a standard on the internet for good reason: It works so damn well!!
Apache also tends to have fewer security holes than IIS (remember Code Red which still is reeking havoc on the internet.

I am not sure how well Web Objects works since I don't have it (I use the client, remember). I have, however, read about many awards it has received. It appears to be the "Cadillac" of the dynamic web languages. It is also heavily object oriented so that makes it very efficient and scalable.

Personally, I use PHP which works very, very well (ASP is the MS attempt at PHP, essentially).

Web apps run great in OS X since it can be used with many types of databases as well as many dynamic content languages. Although I would have to see specifically what you have in mind to know for sure.

Mac OS 9.2 systems can connect to OS X server very well from what I know. The inclusion of SMB in it allows for seamless Mac-Windows networking, as well, so the NT box will be able to talk to it.

Everything can process web forms as long as it can run the program/script that interprets the forms (like I said, Web Objects, PHP, and CGI work well).

I don't know how easy Web Objects is to use but OS X comes with a development program for it (Project Builder WO) so there is something to start with, at least.

As for any other questions you might have, you can contact me: jmdisher@uwaterloo.ca

By the way, if you need someone to help you directly, I am for hire as a co-op student for the next four months and I have a reasonable amount of web development experience under my belt to help you out.
Get in touch.

Good luck and I hope you choose the OS X Server.

Jeff.

zorn · Sep 7, 2001, 03:18 PM

I've been a web developer for about4/5 years now mainly I deploy on Linux boxes and use on NT for odd stuff. I currently am playing with OS X Server (Got it and WO for $99 each thru Student Developers).

Let me try to answer some of your Qs....

1. Now, would an OS X 2.0 Server box work better than then NT box?

Just out of the box I'd say its more stable and has better sercurity. However you must understand there will be a learning curve since UNIX and its programs like Apache will be new to you. Thankfully these are not Mac only programs and the UNIX community has TONS of documentation and help avaiable.

2. Is WebObjects good at importing previously built forms?

WO is very differnet from what you were doing. Its basiclly a set of pre written Java Objects and Methods to help you create and deploy web apps. Its not something in which you just collect info. If you are interested in a quick audio and visual demo of WO check out:
http://www.apple.com/iservices/techn...damentals.html

There are also free WO seminars to go to:
http://www.seminars.apple.com/busine...ts5/index.html

However my assumption is that you are doing very basic from submittion and such. Maybe to record info to files and such or email the contents to yourself. If this is the case I'd say PHP is your answer.

PHP is a similar Open Sorce project that allows you to create dynamic pages and work with forms. It also intigrates with DBs liek MySQL with ease. Both are included with OS X Server

3. Will the OS X box be able to handle acting as the college's web application server?

not sure what you mean.. depends on the kind of apps and amount of steady users.

4. Can someone hold my hand?

Sure, there are alot of emerging sites and communities, one is my own. We are called the "Apple Student Developers"

Web Site: http://studentlounge.unity.ncsu.edu/

Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/studentdev-talk

We are kinda of an adendum to Apple's ADC Student program. There are many section on app development as well as web. As said we are still getting alot of the site and content together but message boads and mailing list are working so post away.

5. Can an OS 9.2 mac connect to an OS X 2.0 server?

Yep, and using SAMBA you can make it act as a full class windows machine on a windows network.

6. Can an OS X 2.0 server process web forms?

Yep, CGI, Perl, PHP are the most popular and if it is intensive web app stuff WO is also there.

7. How difficult is Webobjects to use?

Wel WO5 is totally build around Java (which it totally Object Oriented). If your not familar with Java then thats a whole layer you'll need to understand before getting to the guts of WO.

8. Can you believe that I built over four thousand images in Color It? (Answer: Neither can I, but it's true)

That is alot.. eventhough I'm not too familar with Color It... I''m pure Photoshop boy here.

9. Will the OS X 2.0 box show up on our NT network?

Yep.

10. What remaining issues should I be aware of.

Well as far as WO .. OS X Server comes with WO deployment but if you want to buid WO apps you need to buy the software.

I don't know how easy Web Objects is to use but OS X comes with a development program for it (Project Builder WO) so there is something to start with, at least.

Yeah but you need WO Builder and EO Modeler to finish the apps. Project Builder handles the buisness side Java logic.

My only other thing to tell you is not to expect an instand easy deployment, you'll need to get used to some unix and all the new services. Maybe buy one box right away to try stuff on and document how you want to convert then get the server farm going a month or two from now.

If you need any more help post here or the Student Developer forums.

~ Mike

macvillage.net · Sep 7, 2001, 10:03 PM

I personally would go with something more plain like *BSD or Linux

Why spend the extra money on hardware and SW?

Less overhead on your server. Remember that Aqua is always running in Mac OS X! That's a lot of power being devoted towards something that doesn't mean anything to you.