Developing Websites Using Mac OS X Snow Leopard

The latest Mac update, Snow Leopard, comes with pre-bundled with Apache 2.2, and PHP 5.3.

Here’s what I did to enable it and start making websites.

1. Turning on Apache
   To do this go to System Preferences -> click the checkbox by Web Sharing
2. To check your Apache install
   You might like this post about how to create a quick document for testing.
3. Editing Apache Virtual Hosts
   Paul Kukiel shares how to
4. Turning on PHP
5. Loading MySQL
   Before you rebuild MySQL, double check your processor speed. If you upgraded to Snow Leopard from an older install on an older PPC or Intel Mac, be sure to know which processor type you need to build MySQL for. These instructions are for my Generation 5 Macbook Pro, not one of the brand new 64-bit models. Download the installer from MySQL.com. Then follow this post that shows how to build MySQL from source.
6. Loading phpMyAdmin
7. Using Terminal

I found this post useful. Here is another similar post.

Apple.com is Great but Lacks Support Features

Apple, I love you. Your overpriced computers are so well crafted. I don’t mind (over) paying you guys every few years for a new system. My MacBook Pro serves me well.

I was just visiting Apple Support to how to upgrade RAM on a MacBook  Pro though and found these features strangely missing.

1) My Systems
Let me store my info. I’m running in Bootcamp right now and there is no ‘About This Mac’. Dell.com has a nice Manage my systems admin panel.

2) Login and Session?
Why not let me login right on the home page? I have to find a buried link on the support page to reset my Apple ID, get to the forums… put an optional website widget everywhere that tracks my forum posts, alerts me of updates.

3) Let me edit my iTunes playlist?
Sure would be nice to be able to add songs I have streaming on a radio station, running in Safari on Bootcamp, or from my iPhone.

4) Google voice/wave type interface?

Club Mac Adds Me To Their Test Email List

I recently received yet another ClubMac promotional email. I usually don’t mind them. The creative and graphics are pretty good.

But the last two were from test.

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but now I’m wondering whether it’s a secret marketing gimmick, if I’m about to receive an apology email about a glitch in the emarketing department, or (here’s an idea for you) send me an email about ’secret plan’ to ‘reward our best customers’ through a unique and clever advertising concept. I’m the winner, right? I discovered the Easter Egg for the 8 Core, 32GB of RAM Maxed out G5 System with Two 30″ Cinema Displays? That’s fantastic news! I could really use a new box!

Wait, Let’s check out their site and see how much that baby is running these days…

Duh! Do these guys need a CNAME or what?! Oh wait, does this DNS error qualify me to receive the Canon HD Digital Camera with Final Cut Pro HD premium prize?

Well let’s try the www version of the domain name.

Yep that works.

So I Click to Systems and then the Image of

the most expensive computer on earth, a Mac Pro 8 Core.

Cannot find item: 7371957. Gotcha, maybe ClubMac’s  asp application can’t FindTheBiggestTicketItem.DLL.

Am I the only one who finds this funny?