This is the last in a series (for now) of Download a la Mode entries. Thanks for reading!
Server Setup
In this section of Download a la Mode, the following questions are addressed:
- How can you setup an FTP server on my computer?
- How can one setup a MySQL/PHP server on their computer?
- How can I FTP—file transfer protocol—files to a server from my computer?
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“Miguel,” shared one classroom teacher at the TCEA State Conference, “I want to setup my own web server in my classroom because I can’t get space on the District server. Am I able to do that?” The answer is, “Of course!” Then, I remind the person that they should check into their district’s acceptable use policy. At this point, the person just smiles and we move on to the details.
Today, you have access to a variety of choices of free, web-based tools known as “Read/Write Web” or Web 2.0 tools. Some popular ones include Wikispaces.com, PBWorks.com, and a plethora of online blogging solutions, such as Blogger.com, Edublogs.org, WordPress.com, and many more.
There are diverse approaches to the use of Web 2.0 tools. One that school districts have chosen is the “walled garden” approach, which involves creating tools that are the same, similar in function to Web 2.0 tools out in “the wild” but are under the complete control of school district network technicians. Many, if not all, Web 2.0 tools involve the use of a PHP scripting language–the web pages that interact with online databases. MySQL is the online database, available under the label of “free software.” In fact, a suite of free software for setting up a server, regardless of operating system (Mac, Windows, GNU/Linux), that involves the following:
- Apache – a powerful web server
- MySQL – a online database
- PHP – the scripting language and web pages that interact with the database.
The solutions offered below fall into two categories – those that use PHP/MySQL and those that use ONLY PHP. You have access to both on ANY computer you may have in your possession.
THE WALLED GARDEN Using PHP/MySQL
The following list is useful if you want to create a “walled garden” of safe Web 2.0 tools you can use within your school’s intranet, or even Internet, but have complete control over. So, a quick review of the tools available for those who want to “lock” things down and eliminate social networking OUTSIDE of school environment during the school day:
Setting Up PHP/MySQL
Once you setup PHP/MySQL on your server, you’ll be set and ready to go with the following applications. However, getting to that point might require some technical expertise. You can see some examples (screenshots) of walled garden applications.
Quick Setup Process
- Install WAMP/MAMP/XAMPP as appropriate on a computer that will work as a server.
- After installing the software, download your walled garden application of choice (e.g. WordPress, Moodle) and put it in the appropriate folder (usually “htdocs” in an Apache server setting).
- Use a program like SQLYog (Windows), CocoaMYSQL (Mac) to create the database. The walled garden app will create all the necessary tables to house your data.
Note that you can follow this visual installation guide for WAMP? and SQLYog? to see what this might look like.
Software Tools
- Windows Software
- WAMP Server: Easy setup of Apache server, PHP and MySQL on Windows.
- SQLYOG : Allows you to interact with the database using Structured Query Language (SQL), as well as make backups of your SQL tables.You’ll want to download the community edition of SQLYog.
- Macintosh Software
- MAMP Server: Easy setup of Apache server, PHP and MySQL on on Macintosh OS X
- CocoaMySQL: Allows you to interact with the database using Structured Query Language (SQL) statements.
Once you are setup with MySQL/PHP on your server, you’re ready to install any or all of the walled garden applications on that computer.
Blogging Tools
Service Substitution: Blogmeister, Blogspot, WordPress.com, Learnerblogs
- b2Evolution: Enables you to control/moderate comments once certain hacks (ZIP file of hacks we use in my district) are applied, set up a “master” blog with multiple sub-blogs (each with its own RSS feed) inside, easy user management and assignment of permissions, and more. This is the solution we use for managing publication of online student writing and blogging (when it arises).
View Example - WordPress.org: Everyone knows about this tool, but it’s powerful. If you’re not sure how to install it, you can always follow this brief tutorial. I have hope that Multi-user WordPress will eventually work well.
- Elgg: Blogs, e-portfolio and social networking; granular permissions.
Podcasting Tools
Service Substitution: Podomatic, Odeo
Wikis
Service Substitution: Wikispaces, PBWiki
- MediaWiki: Although I’ve looked at different wikis you can install on your own server, I keep coming back to MediaWiki for ease of use.
- TikiWiki: Powerful wiki with user admin rights, but lacks the “open-ness” (as far as I can tell) that MediaWiki enjoys. Nevertheless, it can be powerful.
- WikkaWiki: “a flexible, standards-compliant and lightweight wiki engine written in PHP, which uses MySQL to store pages. Forked from WakkaWiki. Designed for speed, extensibility, and security.”
- See also WikiMatrix to compare various wiki engines.
Content Management Systems
Service Substitution:: web page editors like Dreamweaver/Frontpage Allow easy management, creation, and editing of web pages and sites by non-techie users.
Image Gallery with Tagging and RSS Publishing Enabled
Service Substitution:: Flickr
- The Gallery
- MediaChest (allows one to share multimedia elements, images/sound/etc)
Online Discussion Board
Service Substitution: Blackboard/WebCT
- Moodle – Note that you can follow the steps in this tutorial to install Moodle.
- phpBB – Electronic bulletin board.
- Vanilla – Great looking standards compliant forum. Missing administration features such as deleting a user.
Frequently Asked Questions
Service Substitution:: ???
Online Survey Tool
Service Substitution: SurveyMonkey
Online Radio
Calendar Management with RSS support
- WebCalendar
- Although PhotoCalendar isn’t a Web 2.0 tool, I thought I’d link to it…lets you create those “kinko’s like” calendars with photosusing your web browser. Easy and output looked great.
Social Bookmarking Tools
Service Substitution:: Del.icio.us, Simpy, Blinklist
- de.lirio.us this site was down at the time I tried to access it.
- Scuttle
- sa.bros.us
- stu.dicio.us
Social Networking
Service Substitution: Myspace, Xanga
Maintaining Email Lists
Service Substitution: YahooGroups, Gmail Groups
Bulk Emailing Software
Service Substitution: None really, I just wanted this category for bulk emailing!
- Fairlogic’s WorldCast
- AnnounceList – distributes messages to a list of email. Not a replacement for an online group or mailing list, it might still be useful for one-way mailings/bulk emailing.
- MailBatch
- GoonMail
- EmailSender
MySQL Backup Tools
Office tools
- S5Web-based presentations
- Simple Spreadhseet – web-based spreadsheet
- OpenXchange – groupware solution
By the way, if you’re not interested in using these tools and are curious what is out there on the Web, check out All Things Web 2.0.
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THE WALLED GARDEN Using PHP ONLY
Blogging Tools
2. Podcast Server Publishing Tools
3. Wikis
4. Content Management Systems
5. Image Gallery
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FTP Software
Server Software
- Filezilla Server – works on Windows
- CrushFTP – works on Windows, Macintosh and GNU/Linux
Client FTP Software
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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure
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