PHP and XAMPP

Well one of my resolutions or rather goals for 2008 is to get started with PHP programming. For the last couple of years I’ve been meaning to do it, but just never got round to it. As websites need to become more dynamic, PHP is becoming an essential tool for any webmaster to master. Sure you can make use of Open Source content management systems, but you never get something that fits your needs 101%.

So this year I’m setting out on the quest to get to grips with PHP and MySQL. In order to use PHP you obviously need a webserver with PHP and MySQL installed. Not having a 24/7 internet connection I had to find another solution. I’m not inclined to go through the hassle in trying to set up a Linux box and web server so I went searching and found the solution to all my problems - XAMPP for Windows.

XAMPP is the ultimate web development platform. It contains the following:

• Apache HTTPD 2.2.8 + Openssl 0.9.8g
• MySQL 5.0.51a
• PHP 5.2.5
• PHP 4.4.8
• phpMyAdmin 2.11.4
• FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.25
• Mercury Mail Transport System 4.52

Best of all you are able to load XAMPP onto a flash drive and take it with you wherever you go. The full installation takes around 120MB of space on the drive. You can then start the web server and any other services directly from the flash drive. It works in both Windows XP and Vista.

I'm sure XAMPP will be a lifesaver for me in the coming months. Now I'm just waiting for the PHP book I ordered from Amazon to arrive and I'll get started in the world of PHP. Wish me luck!

A bad case of writers block

It doesn't take a genius to notice that I've more or less ignored this blog for almost 7 months. I must confess that I had a severe case of writers block when it came to find interesting things to write and post about. Couple that with living in a third world country that doesn't offer any 24/7 internet access in my location (yet!) and you've got a surefire recipe for a seriously neglected blog.

Hopefully this situation will change since I've heard rumors that ADSL might... and that's a big MIGHT make it's appearance here this year. Of course that's all in the hands of our local Telecoms monopoly, so I'm definitely not holding my breath.

As for the writers block... well I'm hoping that I've seen the end of it. I'll do my utmost to find at least one thing a week to write about. If I can't do that, then I might just as well give up altogether.

So here's to a post filled blog for 2008 (hopefully)!

If you've got any tips or ideas on subjects you would like me to rant and rave about let me know... I'm wide open to any suggestions.