How-To: Add a LAMP Server to Your Linux Desktop for Development
Lately I’ve been in the mood to do some PHP/MySQL development for my website. In the past, like most newbie or part-time developers, I would work on some code on my desktop and then uploaded the changes to the remote server and hit refresh — not very efficient. This time around I wanted to see how easy or hard it would be to get a production Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP (LAMP) server working on my Debian-based Ubuntu desktop (currently running Feisty Fawn 7.04) so I can do all the development and testing locally without disturbing my LIVE remote site. Below are the steps I took to reach my objective. Notice: The instructions require basic to intermediate knowledge of Linux, how to use a Terminal, sudo, apt-get, and understanding of PHP and MySQL interaction. MORE »
Popularity: 42% [?]
How-To: Use Gizmo’s Access Numbers to Get Calls from Landline or Cellphone Users to Your VoIP Account for FREE
Recently, I lost my cellphone and haven’t had a good way for people to get a hold of me in the short-term. I did a little poking around the Gizmo Project website and discovered they offer 20 “Access Numbers†across the United States that allow landline and cellphone callers to ring Gizmo VoIP users for FREE.
Here’s how it works. Tell your friends to call you by:
1. Dialing (415) 354-1083 (My San Francisco-based Gizmo Access Number)
2. Entering your 11-digit SIP number 1747169XXXX <– found by going to Account > My Profile in Gizmo
3. Pressing the # sign when done
That’s it! Now, your buddies can get a hold of you from any standard phone and even leave you voicemail messages. Just tell them your SIP number is like your personal extension on the access number you’ve provided them – and they’ll get the picture.
Note: If you want a long-term solution for using your Gizmo VoIP account full-time, you can purchase a direct “call in” number for $35 a year.
Aside: I just noticed that Gizmo Project 3.0 has added voice calling support to Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live, Google Talk, and Jabber (very cool) — previously it was IM chat only.
UPDATE: Another quick “free” solution to easily give your traditional phone buddies a way to call you on your Gizmo softphone is to create a GrandCentral account (when you register you’ll get a free standard phone number in any area code you choose) and have their servers route your calls to your Gizmo account.
Popularity: 17% [?]
DivX Connected SF Event
In partnership with Jeremy Toeman’s Stage Two public relations company, DivX hosted a demo party for the soon-to-be-released DivX Connected platform at a cozy little venue called MR. in San Francisco. As expected, there were popular bloggers and journalists in attendance like Robert Scoble (Scobleizer), Om Malik (GigaOM), Ryan Block (Engadget), Hubert Nguyen (Ubergizmo), Scott Beale (Laughing Squid), Vincent Nguyen (SlashGear), and others. The evening started out as more of a mixer but then morphed into a hands-on demo opportunity and then into a full-fledge 20-minute presentation by DivX co-founder Jerome Rota. MORE »
Popularity: 16% [?]
Blockbuster Takes Away Key Package Features in Total Access Plan
I just got the following email from Blockbuster stating that their 3-at-a-time package has changed once again. This is the third such email I have received from the company since joining the program the first fews months into its launch.
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access - Due to changes in our subscription plan pricing, your current BLOCKBUSTER Total Access plan, Unlimited Online DVDs up to 3 at a time plus unlimited in-store exchanges each month for $17.99, will no longer be available at the current price.
You will be moved to our new plan that includes Unlimited Online DVDs 3 at-a-time plus up to 5 free* in-store exchanges for $17.99. This plan will not include an e-coupon for in-store DVD and/or game rentals. The new subscription plan and pricing will go into effect on your regular monthly billing date following August 31, 2007.
In addition, exclusively for BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers, we have introduced in-store movie rentals for $1.99* per movie should you need more than the in-store exchanges included in your plan.
What’s different?
I used to get 3 movies out a time with unlimited in-store, trade-in rentals + 2 monthly coupons for in-store games or movies rentals all for $17.99 (originally $14.99). Now, I’m just getting the above. MORE »
Popularity: 15% [?]
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About
Alexander Grundner is a San Francisco Peninsula based web publisher who spends most of his time tracking down news stories for eHomeUprade, attending technology events, or working on his next big project.
For fun he likes to stay active outdoors, take photographs, shoot video, hack together PHP/Python code, play with Linux, and test new technologies.
