Need help installing Apache

[weejack]

Hello All
I have just joined (complete novice) and I am working my way through Rachel Andrew's book "Build your own standards compliant website using Dreamweaver 8".

I am trying to install Apache software, but during the process it asks for a network domain ( eg somenet.com) and a server name .
Can anyone tell me what I shold answer to these questions - is it the name of the website we are constructing as we go through the book, or will any website information do ?

Many thanks in advance

[Dr John]

google xammplite

Let that do all the work for you with no brain work required. Then store your websites in the htdocs folder (each in their own folder of course)

Question - why do you wish to install apache anyway? It's normally used by people who need to run their own web server to test php/mysql driven sites. You certainly don't need it installed to make web pages.

[weejack]

Hi Dr John,

Thanks for the reply - she suggests in the book using Apache as a local web server for testing and viewing webpages ( particularly webpages using Server Side Includes commands)

Regards

[davexp]

you can also use no-ip.com service ...

[YuriKolovsky]

download xampp
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

its:
Apache
PHP

install it
you will get a folder called xampp/htdocs in the install directory
you put your website there

then open firefox/ie8/opera

and type http://localhost/
in the address bar.

this will enter into the website that you have in your htdocs folder

thats the simplest way



edit: oops, forgot to answer your question.

I am trying to install Apache software, but during the process it asks for a network domain ( eg somenet.com) and a server name .
Can anyone tell me what I should answer to these questions - is it the name of the website we are constructing as we go through the book, or will any website information do ?

me: you dont need to go through that in my opinion.

i think that apache is asking you the information for ftp or some type of folder name managment?
i really dont know.

for now just type in anything : ), like http://example.com
server name will be localhost, but it might throw an error at you.

[molona]

Lol

Give it whatever domain and e-mail address it suits you. You are in control of the server and it is for testing purposes. This domain will never been seen in the internet so you can even use "microsoft.com" and "bill.gates@windows-vista.com" as contact e-mail address.

It really doesn't matter. And the examples in the book are pretty easy to handle by the server, so default configuration should be enough.

[ditch182]

Like molona said, you can give it whatever domain name you like. It won't matter as long as your staying on localhost. That being said, I highly recommend xammp. It's a cone click install of Apache, PHP, and MySQL. Apache can be a real headbreaker to get running properly.

[molona]

It can be slighty hard depending on your needs. But it took me like 1 hour to download and install MySQL, Apache and PHP (manually). It is not that hard if you read the instructions properly

[weejack]

Thank you all so much for your help - I now have Apache installed and running

[fireworking]

Just like ditch182 said, I use Xampp. Xampp is very fast and light and has a one click install. Once you install it, it comes with many features such as phpmyadmin and also comes with many sample scripts to play around. I suggest that you not use Apache but use Xampp. Xampp contains Apache but all in one package and is lightweight.

www.xampp.com

[weejack]

Thanks Fireworking - will try your recommendation