Personal/testing server setup

[spektrum]

Hi...
I just found this site a few days ago, joined and didn't realize that the system required a server. Before my computer crashed about a month ago, I had Apache installed as a testing server(my ISP doesn't allow hosting).

My question is what free personal hosting solutions are available and easy to set up?

I had a terrible time setting up the Apache server I ran previously, primarily adding cgi, php4 & mysql. I still don't know how I set up the one sql database that I somehow stumbled into creating.

I've heard about the Apache Triad package being a good solution. I see Tomcat is included as one of the servers.

Any suggestions? I'm not really excited about setting up another server... Actually, the server I don't mind, it's the cgi and mysql that I really don't want to set up. I didn't have much trouble setting up apache or php, although I don't really know that much about php.

I haven't downloaded LPS (DE version) yet. My primary interest is in experimenting with the creation of an *active* desktop environment interface. In fact, do I even need a server to run the Laszlo Presentation *server* if it's not being utilized as anything more than a localhost addon? I'm assuming the answer will be: "yes, you need a server."

(I know that I need JRE and JDK, although I'm not sure I understand why I need the JDK.)

I've many more questions, but I'm sure some of them will be answered after I download the LPS DE package.

[bloch]

Hi there,

A few answers:

. The DE package comes with the tomcat servlet container preconfigured to run the LPS. It should "just work" out of the box as long as you have a JDK 1.3 or later.

. We are working on setting up some shared hosting providers. For now, you can host demos on www.mylaszlo.com if you'd like.

. The JDK is required only for some of our examples and demos that use JSPs as server-side code. And running/installing tomcat actually requires the JDK. In many production environments, the LPS only requires a servlet container and the JRE, but that depends on the servlet container you choose.

[antun]

Hi spektrum

You might also want to check out this thread:

http://www.laszlosystems.com/developers/community/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=490&highlight=servlet+container

... if you're not clear on what a servlet container like Tomcat is, and how it fits in with a web server like Apache.

-Antun

[spektrum]

Originally posted by bloch
Hi there,

A few answers:

. The DE package comes with the tomcat servlet container preconfigured to run the LPS. It should "just work" out of the box as long as you have a JDK 1.3 or later.

* So, if I'm understanding, I don't need a server or tomcat to run the Tomcat servlet container?

My primary goal is to test LPS as an active desktop interface for exploring the web, local drives and working with local applications(private blog, calandar, notepad etc.) with 'side bar' panels -- bundling as many common tasks as possible into one interface. I've been playing with a fullscreen hypertext application (.hta) but am having some second thoughts on the approach.



. We are working on setting up some shared hosting providers. For now, you can host demos on www.mylaszlo.com if you'd like.


As I develop my desktop app, that sounds like a great way to give back and share any additions that I've been able to make.



. The JDK is required only for some of our examples and demos that use JSPs as server-side code. And running/installing tomcat actually requires the JDK. In many production environments, the LPS only requires a servlet container and the JRE, but that depends on the servlet container you choose.


So, if I'm understanding, since I'm not hosting it on the web, but on the desktop, I don't need a server or the JDK?

Or, am I mistaken?

Is it instead that I will need Apache(only as a localhost server, since my ISP doesn't allow me to actually host a server) to run Tomcat to run the Tomcat servlets(which also require the JRE&JDK) so that I can run LPS?

-- spektrum

[bloch]

I recommend you read the thread that Antun pointed out.

You won't need Apache but you will need the JDK if you want to develop app using the embedded Tomcat servlet container that comes with LPS DE.

-Eric