Looking for the right distribution

[sbunker1]

I have always used microsoft, so I have know idea how to proceed. I wanted to get Joomla installed on my computer that has XP Pro. I tried to install Apache web server and everything else that would allow me to work with Joomla. I couldnt get the Apache to run properly so I decided to try this on another computer that I have. The computer I want to install Linux on is an AMD Athelon 2600 with 1 gig of ram. As I said, I want to also install Apache, Mysql, and PHP on this computer.Which Linux distrobution would be best to use in this case? Keep in mind that I have never worked with Linux at all, but I am somewhat computer literate.

[GNU-Fan]

I use Debian to run these services.

[Dapper Dan]

I've been hearing positive things about xampp. It's a total LAMP package that supposedly all you do is install it by the easy instructions and it just works. I'm going to try it myself shortly. If you want to give it a try and beat me to it, let us know how it goes.

[GNU-Fan]

Xampp is a terrible thing as far as security is concerned.
I think even the developers discourage you from using it for anything than isolated networks.

[Dapper Dan]

They address that here and essentially say the same thing. In your considered opinion are the security "fixes" they propose insufficient?

EDIT: Just got it up and running in about five minutes. This is what happened when I did the security dialog:

bash-3.2# /opt/lampp/lampp security
XAMPP: Quick security check...
XAMPP: Your XAMPP pages are NOT secured by a password.
XAMPP: Do you want to set a password? [yes] 
XAMPP: Password: 
XAMPP: Password (again): 
XAMPP: Password protection active. Please use 'lampp' as user name!
XAMPP: MySQL is accessable via network.
XAMPP: Normaly that's not recommended. Do you want me to turn it off? [yes] 
XAMPP: Turned off.
XAMPP: MySQL has to run before I can check the security.
XAMPP: MySQL has to run before I can check the security.
XAMPP: The FTP password is still set to 'lampp'.
XAMPP: Do you want to change the password? [yes] 
XAMPP: Password: 
XAMPP: Password (again): 
XAMPP: Reload ProFTPD...
XAMPP: Done.
bash-3.2#

[GNU-Fan]

T]In your considered opinion are the security "fixes" they propose insufficient?

In my opinion they shouldn't be necessary in the first place.

I am of the firm belief that every administrator should think about what services he is going to offer on the server before he starts anything. If the admin thinks a FTP server will be necessary, then it should be installed, configured and started. Otherwise it shouldn't.

XAMPP seems to approach this the other way around. Install and start everything. Then paper over the holes and cross fingers you didn't forget something.

I know there are lazy people who don't read the whole page and stop reading once the server "works". And I will never ever recommend such a package to anybody and sleep well.

[Dapper Dan]

Getting LAMP server running on CRUX became a nightmare for me so I created one on Ubuntu which was pretty easy once I located some online instruction. Something like Xampp would certainly simplify creating LAMP for me and perhaps for others on other distros, but security or lack of is of primary importance. Do you see any way Xampp can be made secure enough or is the whole thing just a waste of time unless used within a limited network?

[GNU-Fan]

Quite frankly, I think it's a waste of time.

[Dapper Dan]

Lol... okay, I'll take your word for it...

EDiT: sbunker1, I set up LAMP on Ubuntu with this instruction and it has been working to my satisfaction.

[elija]

Quite frankly, I think it's a waste of time.

I agree. I have always found xampp a right royal pita. It is easier to set up a lamp server manually