setting up a server on my computer

I don't know what type of computer or operating system you have...

Here is a good article:

http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/PHP/SoothinglySeamless/

Or you can check out http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/Administration/ for a list of whole articles that I think would be good for you.

If you are running windows then I recommend using OmniHTTPd, which is a very easy to instally server. It comes prepackaged with PHP 4 (beta 3 i think) and is very user friendly. I am setting it up with the latest release of PHP and mysql at the moment (by the way the source of mysql was realeased and it is now free to run on windows).

If you want the best server there is go with apache but if you are only want to mess around with code on your PC (like me) without getting super technical with apache I'd go with OmniHTTPd.

You can get it at http://www.ominicron.ab.ca
Hope this helps.

Yeah, I have that server running on my laptop, it is really great...

There is also the Sambar Server (www.sambar.com) which is cool. There is also Apache for Windows (www.apache.org), but it didn't work on my computer for some reason...

i dont know which one to go for now.

i just want an easy to use server that allows me to install mysql, php and perl

Will you host a live site? Or just run it to test a site?

Microsoft has a product called Personal Web Server on the Windows 98 CD. I believe it is in the "Tools" folder.

Once you have server software running, you will need to install MySQL, Perl, and PHP. All of these are free to download and use.

Good Luck!

Use Omnihttpd, it already comes with PHP installed...

just testing sites on my computer

Any of these clients will work.

For just testing sites then I'd go with OmniHTTPd or whatever it's called. It looks really good.

You gave me an idea for a review!

I will review Omnihttpd soon...

I use apache on my windows computer and the same on my linux computer. SQL for windows is a bitch and a half to set up, not to mention it's not free.

To eliminate variables, you should try to get your local installation to mirror your remote set-up. There's not a whole lot of sense in using OmniHTTPd and PHP4 locally if your host server is running Apache and PHP3. So ask your host what they use and install the same thing. Some servers like Omni or Xitami might be a bit easier that Apache, but getting a local Apache set-up running isn't hard if you're even semi-intelligent and can follow directions. The process is so well documented that anyone should be able to do it. To get the whole Windows - Apache - MySQL - PHP system running requires:

1)Download and install the Apache/MySQL/PHP binaries
2)Edit about 8 or 9 lines in your Apache httpd.conf file
3)Edit about 4 lines in your php3.ini file

That's about it. Don't be intimidated.

I thought mySQL was VERY easy to get installed on Windows (98)! I got it done in less then 15 minutes I think...

I'veplayed around with Sambar. The new version in beta is great. You'll have to install php and perl etc. When they release the ESS ( a management prog.)ofr this version it will be great. Smabar is more powerful (in my eyes)

Just my opinion.

Brian Wilmot

I've heard of that server, and that it was pretty good.

What is the URL?

sambar.com
The site is a little confusing. Check one of the mirrors (Jayln) I think is the best, for more info, thats up to date.

I tried APache but couldn't get the thing to work. Not much of a servereducated person. Know the basics, but te more complex module install et. Is over my head.

Brian Wilmot

Well, I tried to setup Apache on my laptop (Windows 98 SE) and I got it to work.

I like it MUCH better then ANY other server! It has so many options and add ons.