Archive for April, 2006
Apr
27
Posted by Dogfish
Have you ever that one of those days when you feel simply overwhelmed by all of the information that you do NOT know? Yesterday was one of those days for me…
I am seeking to understand the linux environment more and want to build a server to hold mail. There are a couple of pre-packaged products out there, but that really is not the point right? I want to learn it, so I think I have to start with a base product and build it up.
My friend Topher has given me some great places to start. He even let me know of software that I could run on my machine that will allow me to run windows from inside linux…. that amazes me.
So, I get the stability of linux with the variety of all the Windows programs I use? OK, where is the downfall there? I fail to see one actually….
Anyhow, back to my original thought. Yesterday I was thinking about this Linux thing. I also got a new client for some custom software and was thinking about the package that I am going to write for him. There have been a couple of things I would like to try from within the VBA realm that I am throwing around so I am beginning research on those..
And then, I was updated a colleague’s website for him and I am always coming up to walls from one set of web designs to conquer when migrating. This site was in ASP and Microsoft Access and had to be migrated to PHP and MYSQL. I got my way through and in the process learned a bunch more about what I don’t understand about ASP. Sheesh…. I never knew I knew so little.
Some days I think it would be easier to go back to delivering tuxedos. But then I think no, I enjoy learning. Learning is good but time-consuming.
Apr
24
Posted by Dogfish
My friend Topher hooked me up with a Google Blog Tracker. It basically tracks the last 20 locations of people who have visited my blog. Someone visited from Panama City, Panama. I am not sure who it is…. If you read this dear reader in Panama…. please let me know who you are..
Also out there….
Scarsdale, New York
ABBOTTABAD, NORTH-WEST FRONTIER, (near Kazahzstan) and
HYDERABAD, ANDHRA PRADESH (near India)
Very interesting…
Apr
24
Posted by Dogfish
Well, the electrician was in on Friday. The client did not know how to turn the server off and the electrician cycled the power to the server about 10-15 times in a short amount of time. Having the power do that really kicked the crap out of it and eventually it just yakked…
Apr
23
Posted by Dogfish
So, the server I installed a couple of weeks ago blew up. I cannot believe it. I had to rebuild the whole thing on Saturday and now I need to make sure we get some of the backed up data back. It is really buggin’ me that this has happened. I wonder what I am gonna learn from this….
Hmmm. I wonder…..
Apr
12
Posted by Dogfish
Toph,
I learned that webmin and and the webconfig on ClarkConnect do not necessarily mix. After installing webmin, the webconfig (being the main console) would not work correctly. After trying to tinker with it for 4 hours one night, I thought it best to reinstall. So, a couple hours later we were back up and running. After re-installing the users, we were off like a shot.
One of the outstanding issue that I am working on is why bacula (the backup client) will not email out to an external address with verification emails. I am currently working on this now.
I guess I should not be too frustrated with the experience. I learned a great deal that I will put to use in the future. Clarkconnect is a great system for a smaller office that needs an all-in-one solution for file sharing, mail services and backup.
That being said, I am VERY impressed with Linux Servers. Man the thing is rock solid. Most of my clients in business run Microsoft servers except for my web clients. I have to say, that the way this product works, some of them could easily switch and be happy. I will not push them to do that however…. Most of them have customized applications that would take just too long to update and upgrade.
Apr
11
Posted by Dogfish
20 degrees outside this afternoon. Man is it ever nice to see the sun. 
I have missed the ol’ man. It is awfully nice to have him back.
Apr
11
Posted by Dogfish
The install went well. The rollout, not so good. Brutal actually.
But, I learned a lot I think.
Apr
03
Posted by Dogfish
Well, the deed is done. I installed Clarkconnect on the new server in the last couple of days. It went surprisingly well.
I have to say that it is an amazing system. Setup is pretty straightforward. Even though it is linux based, there is a cost because it is a commercially available product. That is okay. Setting up users is straightforward and setting up the mailserver is doable. I had to do a little hunting on the net on some wikis for a couple of answers but we got there.
We purchased a new IOMEGA rev drive for the system and it rocks! The footprint of the disk is less than a standard floppy and about 3 times as thick. It holds 35 gig natively as a backup and will do up to 90 gig compressed. It rocks….
Good system. I am pleased with it. and it is rock solid.
We also purchased an APC UPS unit for it. The thing is heavier than William! I was able to find the software as an add-on for webmin to control the ups and down the server if there is a power outage. nice.
We are going to install it Saturday morning and make sure that everything is up and running.
All in all, it has been a good experience. I would and will do it again in a heartbeat.
Apr
01
Posted by Dogfish
The server I have been waiting for has been sitting in the depot in London for 3 stinkin’ days!! Grrrr.
I have no idea where the system fell down, but it did not get delivered and that is kinda crappy. I was hoping to have a good start on the thing by now.
Oh well, that’s life I suppose. Nothing to be done but go pick it up and get cracking…