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Ubuntu SABnzbd+ behind an apache2 proxy
Oct 5th
This is a guide on how to replace your ugly sabnzbd url to something nice looking thats easier to remember. Currently the standard url will run on the port 8080 unless you’ve changed it. You could just change it to port 80 to make a nice url but more likely you already run apache on that port.
Example old url
http://myserver.com:8080/sabnzbd/
New url
http://sab.myserver.com
Assuming you already have apache installed you need to make sure you have the following mod’s installed and enabled.
a2enmod proxy
a2enmod proxy_http
a2enmod proxy_html
Now you have these installed and enabled you have to created a new vhost entry that will point your chosen server name to your oringal sabnzbd url.
ServerName sab.myserver.com
ProxyPass / http://localhost:8080/
ProxyPassReverse / http://localhost:8080/
And thats it! reboot your apache server and your done, you can now access via the new url. I would also stronlgly recommend you enable the password protection in your sabnzb configuration.
References
http://diginc.us/2009/02/ubuntu-sabnzbd-protected-by-an-apache2-proxy-and-htpasswd/
Zend Server vs Xampp
Feb 27th
Now that Zend Server has had its public beta release I thought it was finally worth a installation to see what its all about. One of the main differences between this and xampp that jumped out at me was there was a Mac version to download along side Linux (rpm and dem) and Windows. There will be two version of the product to be called the ‘Community Edition’ and the standard commercial version. The commercial version comes with monitoring capabilities and additional Zend modules (page cache and data cache).
After the initial download of around 50mb for windows with comes with a nice installer to take care of everything. It then I realised I hadn’t downloaded everything yet and more modules need to be added before installing such as MySQL. There was also other option like a Java Bridge, Zend Framework (with or without dojo) and various other database adaptors.
After a 5 minutes everything was done. The apache web service monitor appeared which confirmed it was running. Icons now appeared in my program folder so I went ahead and click on ‘Zend Service’. Also worth noting that it also had Links to apache, MySQL service programs and to the htdocs.
Up loaded a web page taking me to the control panel. Everything looked a bit more flashy and provided similar links as xampp to phpmyadmin, a phpinfo file and the status of various services. You are reminded in various places that you only have the free version which is a little irritating. With the links provided you have easy access to the root folder and setting up passwords on MySQL.
Its really done exactly what it said it would do and i encountered no problems installing it. Less experienced users may bit a little confused when it comes choosing which components to install. It does however lack some features that xampp comes with such as SQLite and perl. There is also no centralised management tool like the xammp control panel to easily start and stop apache and MySQL. This is a real shame as this just makes xampp so easy to use.
Related links
http://www.zend.com/en/products/server/downloads
http://devzone.zend.com/article/4272-Zend-announces-public-beta-of-a-new-product-Zend-Server
Essential Free PHP Web Development Tools
Jul 5th
As a PHP web developer I’ve tried many different tools to aid my work. There are many tools out there to try and I encourage you to do so, but I have complied a list of what consider essential to make your job as easy as possible. If anyone has any useful tools/sites I haven’t listed let me know.
PHP
xampp - A cross platform web server including PHP and MySQL along with other tools such as Perl. Easily installs on a Windows machine (though it is cross platform), I recommend the lite version and install it on USB pen for portability.
phpMyAdmin - A web based tool for administrating MySQL databases, makes setting them up easy. The new version even includes a query builder. This is included with xampp just go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
Zend Framework – A open source object oriented PHP5 framework. Contains easy to use classes to create a modern web app. Has support for many web services such as flickr and Google.
phpclasses – This a web site with a massive database of PHP classes. Always look her first as its probably already been done to a high standard.
Web browsers
FireFox 3.0 - An open source web broswer that supports loads of useful plugins for web developers. Not to mention generally how much better it is then any other.
Web Developer – One of the best FireFox plugins ever made. Contains a massive array of tools to help you develop your web site. From window resizing to editing CSS on the fly. Just try it!
IE Tab (Windows only) - A plugin for FireFox that allows you easily to switch your browser window to the Explorer rendering engine. As this is the most widely used browser you have to check your app works in it.
Multiple IE (Windows XP only) – A great little download that gives you old Internet Explorers (6.0, 5.5, 5, 4, 3) to try your site in. If you like me and upgraded to IE7, how do you check your site in IE6, many people still use it. Pity it doesn’t work on Vista.
Safari - Some people use this as a web browser, I guess now its available on windows you could check your site works in it
Text Editors
notepad++ – A free cross platform text editor with useful add-ons such as code highlighting for every language imaginable.
Other web tools
X Ray - Just add it to your bookmarks and you ready to go, click it, it loads then you can click any element on a page and it will show you the ‘CSS box model’. Very useful when your having pixel problems.
Browser Shots - Check you new web site in every browser known to man on any platform in one go. Warning: it doesn’t always return everything you ask for and it can take a while.
FireFtp – A FireFox plugin, a simple and realiable FTP program, can manage multiple accounts.
JavaScript & Ajax
Firebug – A plugin for FireFox, before this you would go mad debugging your JavaScript with nothing to go on. This provides full details on all errors and detailed information on Ajax requests. I also use it to be nosey on other web sites to see how they work.
JQuery - A fast lightweight JavaScript framework. Makes Ajax and HTML manlipation very easy for a modern 2.0 app.
Interface for jQuery – An additional set of jQuery plugins that provide a mass of additioal functionality for jQuery.
UI for jQuery – More plugins for jQuery that provide more for jQuery. I believe that interface and UI are being merged.
Visual jQuery – The doucmentation for jQuery can be a little rubbish, this web site lays it out in a simple format to effectivly use it.
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