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tmjp.com · Dec 3, 2003, 08:56 AM

I'm new to the world of Apple Macs (but experienced in PC - please don't hold it against me) I have a client running an apple network who has commissioned me to write a quotation system. The system needs to run across their network but also have the capability to be run from a powerbook for shows etc.

They have filemaker pro which I could use, though I have minimal experience of it and haven't liked what I've seen so far. I want to run the application as a website ideally using mysql, php and apache from the powerbook as this would afford me more control over the design and operation of the system. Is this in any way possible? The system needs to be accessed by only 2 people, and then not necessarily concurrently.

Or, would this be possible if they upgraded to OSX.

Or, do they need a server.

Any links tips hints solutions gratefully appreciated.

Cheers.

Toby.

philzilla · Dec 3, 2003, 10:33 AM

toby, it's a piece of cake to do this from a Powerbook running OS X using mysql, php and apache. upgrade as soon as you can.

here's some easy installers for you: PHP & MySQL

any more questions, just holler

tmjp.com · Dec 3, 2003, 11:11 AM

Cheers for the reply. Not sure if OS X is going to be possible. Can it be done on 9.2? (The powerbook is on the older side and probably wont upgrade.)

Originally posted by philzilla:
toby, it's a piece of cake to do this from a Powerbook running OS X using mysql, php and apache. upgrade as soon as you can.

here's some easy installers for you: PHP & MySQL

any more questions, just holler

philzilla · Dec 3, 2003, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
Cheers for the reply. Not sure if OS X is going to be possible. Can it be done on 9.2? (The powerbook is on the older side and probably wont upgrade.)

what model Powerbook is it? here are the system requirements.

i'm not even sure there are php/mysql installers for OS 9. from what i can tell, there are no such things.

tmjp.com · Dec 3, 2003, 11:59 AM

I'm off to do a site survey tomorrow, so I'll post back when I know.

Another aside... I'm just trying to configure apache on an iBook (which seems simple - just enabled sharing) but, the only page I can find is http://localhost/index.html which is a default apache file (and doesn't appear in a search). I can't find not the http://localhost/[username]/sites/index.html - Any ideas why not.

Really, all I want to do is create my own html page and store it somewhere and then view it in a browser! Not too difficult, just to prove to myself it's working. I'm sure there's a dead simple solution to this, but I'm new...

...Ta,

Toby.

philzilla · Dec 3, 2003, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
I can't find not the http://localhost/[username]/sites/index.html - Any ideas why not.

it's actually http://localhost/~username/index.html

Arkham_c · Dec 3, 2003, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
Cheers for the reply. Not sure if OS X is going to be possible. Can it be done on 9.2? (The powerbook is on the older side and probably wont upgrade.)

You can run an apache web server on OS9 with an older version of PHP using WebTen, but not MySQL. OS9 is not POSIX-compliant, so porting UNIX stuff to OS9 will be a pain.

You could run something like MachTen on the Powerbook, and run the database and/or web server on that. It's likely to be slow though.

tmjp.com · Dec 4, 2003, 08:23 AM

Thanks for help guys, my Mac webbing aspirations are now off to a rip roaring start. I've persuaded the client to upgrade to OS X which seemed to be the sensible thing to do...

Any one know of PHP/mySql tutorials for Mac, or do they work as per *NIX?

T.

redJag · Dec 4, 2003, 08:57 AM

PHP and MySQL work the same cross-platform. Installation is the only difference. check out http://entropy.ch for mac packages.

tmjp.com · Dec 4, 2003, 11:31 AM

This is probably all due to my newby status in the wonderful world of Apple.

But, having now got apache sorted I can't seem to get php to install. I've downloaded the php package from www.entropy.ch, and (I think) followed the instructions for installing it. But it doesn't work - I've tried creating the test.php script with phpinfo() in but instead of returning the resultant info, it downloads the file to the desktop.

So, where am I going wrong?

Further information: on d clicking Entropy....dmg it opens up disk copy, does the checksumming and mounts(?) entropy PHP 4.3.4-1 on the desktop and opens a window.

In this window is a file called php-4.3.4.pkg which, when dclicked opens up an installer, which wobbles at the bottom of the screen for a couple of secs, then just sits there doing (apparently) nothing. Is this all I would expect to see? Is there some error in my test php code? Surely I am making the most simple of mistakes? I have no idea. Any help appreciated as I kind of need to get this running.

I apologise for the noddy language here, but I need to explain what's going on as far as I can see.

philzilla · Dec 4, 2003, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
I've tried creating the test.php script with phpinfo() in but instead of returning the resultant info, it downloads the file to the desktop.

have you rebooted apache? either turn it off/on in Sys Prefs, or run this in terminal: sudo apachectl restart

and don't worry about the questions; that's what this forum is here for

Arkham_c · Dec 4, 2003, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
...on d clicking Entropy....dmg it opens up disk copy, does the checksumming and mounts(?) entropy PHP 4.3.4-1 on the desktop and opens a window.

In this window is a file called php-4.3.4.pkg which, when dclicked opens up an installer, which wobbles at the bottom of the screen for a couple of secs, then just sits there doing (apparently) nothing. Is this all I would expect to see?

The package from entropy (the php-4.3.4.pkg file) is an Installer package. When you double-click it, it SHOULD run the Apple Installer application, and should guide you through the installation of PHP. Until you do that, nothing else will work.

The installer should install PHP and restart your apache server for you. I've done this on 3 macs in the last 72 hours (1 ibook running Panther, 1 G3 running Jaguar, and a G5 running Panther), so I know it works.

tmjp.com · Dec 5, 2003, 04:33 AM

Now,

Once again, thanks for the replies: Still no dice. Perhaps some background info on the machine I'm using: its an iBook with OSX (Not server). 10.0.4, PowerPC G3. Recently 'swapped' from 9.2.

I don't have any panther (etc) stuff installed. Do I need to have? Also, where do I get to the terminal (if I have one...) Is there anywhere where I need to tell apache what to do with .php files?

Coming from the world of PCs, I thought there may be some merit in reinstalling stuff. Is this worth doing with my Mac?

Also, On restarting the Mac, The php 'thing' - icon looks a bit like a white plastic rectangular box disappears, but reappears when I click the .pkg again.

Help?

philzilla · Dec 5, 2003, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
I don't have any panther (etc) stuff installed. Do I need to have? Also, where do I get to the terminal (if I have one...) Is there anywhere where I need to tell apache what to do with .php files?

/Applications/Utilities/Terminal
may as well drag that icon into the dock and get used to it

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
Coming from the world of PCs, I thought there may be some merit in reinstalling stuff. Is this worth doing with my Mac?

define "stuff" in this case?

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
Also, On restarting the Mac, The php 'thing' - icon looks a bit like a white plastic rectangular box disappears, but reappears when I click the .pkg again.

Help?

it's a disk image. once you've installed PHP from that .pkg file, you don't need it

redJag · Dec 5, 2003, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by tmjp.com:
..its an iBook with OSX (Not server). 10.0.4, PowerPC G3. ..

Oops, entropy's package requires 10.2 or 10.3. I don't know where you can get packages for 10.0.4, but you should definitely get the free upgrade to 10.1.5 (downloadable). After doing that, I'd recommend a google search. Sorry about that.

tmjp.com · Dec 5, 2003, 09:07 AM

Cheers (again.) I've decided to buy a 10.3 version. This seems sensible. I've a G4 in the office which I've successully installed php on now so my probs are OS related. Thought it best to get onto a well supported and documented platform.

Should've mentioned the version of OS earlier. Still, its a learning exp.

Anyway, I'll not ask anything else til my new install arrives.