Linux, PHP, LAMP, The Web in a blog

• Skype (download the package from the site)
• VLC
• Gimp
• OpenOffice
• Pidgin (or any IM client)
• Audio Player
• Opera (apt-get install libqt3-mt & download it from the website)
• Flash Player (download it from the website)
• Abode Acrobat Reader (download it from the website)
• Filezilla - download it from the official website - you don’t need installation
• frozen-bubble   

If you are a Web Developer:

• A good text editor  (Kate)
• Yakuake (to autostart on GNOME: System->Preferences->Startup applications)
• LAMP stack (possibly)

If you are very organized

• you will mount a data partition automatically. To do that
  • create the directory /mnt/data writeable by anyone
  • with fdisk -l check the partition that is likely to be the data partition (it will be large and possibly FAT32), i.e. /dev/sda3
  • search in /etc/passwd, the uid of your user, i.e.: 1000
  • append to your /etc/fstab a line like this (use the values you found before):

    /dev/sda6  /mnt/data  auto  utf8,uid=1000,rw  0  0
    

• you will create a script (based on rsync) to automatically backup your important data (see related post and penny/progetti/rsync_data.sh)

Nice Extras

• Playing Restricted Formats (mp3, Quicktime, WMV, Flash, etc)
  

  Ubuntu can play the most popular non-free media formats, including DVD, MP3, Quicktime, Windows Media, and more by installing the ubuntu-restricted-extras package:

  sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
  

• Adding the Medibuntu Repository
  
  Medibuntu (Multimedia, Entertainment & Distractions In Ubuntu) is a repository of packages that cannot be included into the Ubuntu distribution for legal reasons (copyright, license, patent, etc). Below are the instructions to add the Medibuntu repository to your system’s list of APT repositories. These instructions and additional information about Medibuntu can also be found here here.
  
  Add Medibuntu to your sources.list, as well as its GPG key to your keyring.

  sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list
  

  Then, add the GPG Key:

  sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update
  

  You may be asked to accept this package even though it cannot be authenticated. This is normal; typing “Yes” means you trust Medibuntu.
  
  Once you have added the Medibuntu repository, you can easily install a number of useful packages. To play encrypted DVDs, for instance, the libdvdcss2 package is essential. libdvdcss is a simple library designed for accessing DVDs like a block device without having to bother about the decryption. To install:

  sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2
  

  There are a few formats such as certain Windows formats, Real, and Apple Quicktime which do not have native codecs under Linux. To work around this issue, external binary codecs are used instead to play these formats. To install:

  sudo apt-get install w32codecs
  

• Installing Microsoft Core Fonts
  
  Note: If you followed the Medibuntu instructions above, this package is already installed.
  
  If you want Arial, Georgia, Times New Roman, Verdona, etc., you can install the following package that will run a script to download and unpack these font packages and install them on your system.
  
  Note: Microsoft used to distribute their core fonts in a package — the MS core web fonts. They withdrew them a couple of years ago, but it’s still legal to redistribute them in their original (.CAB — windows installer) packaging and licensing.
  
  To install the Microsoft Core Fonts package, use:

  sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts
  

apt-get update
apt-get install libqt4-core
apt-get -f install
Skype: Download the deb package from the site
Opera: apt-get install libqt3-mt & download it from the website
Flash: Download the .deb from the official site

apt-get install gThumb - to import photos from a camera (File->Import photo)

Filezilla: download it from the official website - you don’t need installation

apt-get install gparted if you need to edit the existing partitions

MP3: apt-get install libxine1-ffmpeg libxine-extracodecs. You also need GStreamer extra plugins (trying to play an MP3 file with Totem Movie Player should prompt to install it)

GStreamer ffmpeg video plugin to play other media (trying to play an MP3 file with Totem Movie Player should prompt to install it

sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/intrepid.list –output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu
sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2
sudo apt-get install w32codecs
sudo apt-get install mplayer [to play .mov and quicktime movies]

sudo apt-get install tilda
[to move among tabs, use CTRL+PageUP]
[to start it automatically at the startup: Applications->Settings->Settings Manager->Autostarted Apps]

apt-get install frozen-bubble

For screenshots, you can use Gimp: File > Create > Screenshot

To add new shortcut in your ‘Places’ (in your upper Panel), you need to add it in the left pane of your Thunar (by dragging and dropping).

Add any Rsync script for backuping (see related article).

This list is mainly targeted on a LAMP local environment on Debian

- /var/www/*
- databases
- config PHP
- config APACHE
- config BIND
- crontab

- browser bookmarks
- browser history
- contacts in Kontact
- notes in Knotes
- /home
- /home/Desktop
- /etc/network/interface
- /etc/resolv.conf
- /etc/X11/xorg.conf
- data repositories (i.e.: /mnt/data)
- /home/username/.mozilla-thunderbird
- emails
- trash bin

- rsync scripts (search for ‘rsync’ on your filesystem)

The result of my long and accurate selection says the best one is: Webhosting.uk.com. Then I joint them and I’m very happy. A very good value for money!

Here is a checklist that will help you in choosing the best VPS (Virtual Private Server) provider.

1 - How much is the Disk Space?
2 - How much is the Bandwidth per month?
3 - How much is the guaranteed Bandwidth per second in downloading?
4 - How much is the guaranteed RAM?
5 - How much is the guaranteed uptime?
6 - How many domains can I manage?
7 - How many subdomains can I manage?
8 - Can I use your DNS server to add domains and subdomains?
9 - Are the IPs you provide static (they don’t change) and dedicated (just for me)?
10 - In the case of disaster, can I do a system restore/reset (to the initial set up)
11 - Can I reboot the system via SSH? How many times?
12 - Can I install SSL in order to support HTTPS protocol?
13 - Do you provide 30 days money back guarantee?
14 - Have I fully root access? Via SSH, can I install new packages and change the configuration of the existing ones?
15 - Has the server RAID1 or RAID5?
16 - Do you perform Automatic Backups? If you do, how often?
17 - Which versions of CentOS are available and can I choose it or you’ll decide for me?
18 - Which virtualization software do you use?
19 - Do the prices on the website include VAT?
20 - Is my server fully managed?
21 - Is there an easy way to upgrade my plan without moving or losing my data?
22 - Do I need to pay extra money for adding domains, rebooting, restoring the initial system or any other common task?
23 - If I close the SSH port by mistake (then I’m locked out), is there any way out to regain the control of the server via SSH?
24 - If I shutdown my server by mistake, can you boot it immediately?
25 - Can I modify the standard SSH port or there is any firewall in your network that wouldn’t make that work?
26 - Is the server located in UK/Italy/USA (if you’re planning to host sites very relevant for your own country)
27 - Does it support ‘Ruby on Rails’?

These sound good:

http://server4you.net/ [dedicated server for the price of a virtual one!]

http://www.vpsreview.com/

http://www.eurovps.com

http://www.provps.com

http://www.buyavps.com
http://www.a2hosting.com/
http://www.vpsland.com/index.html
https://www.bodhost.com/
http://www.serverchoice.com
http://www.aruba.it

http://www.1and1.co.uk
http://www.bionic-hosting.co.uk/
http://www.webhosting.uk.com/vps-hosting.php

The result of my long and accurate selection says the best one is: Webhosting.uk.com. Then I joint them and I’m very happy. A very good value for money!

Questions and answers by http://www.webhosting.uk.com:
1 - How much is the guaranteed Bandwidth per second in downloading?
Ans:- We’ll provide you with 300 GB of Bandwidth per month. You can utilize that as per your requirement.

2 - How much is the guaranteed uptime?
Ans:- We provide 99.95% of Uptime Guarantee on our VPS.

3 - Are the IPs you provide static (they don’t change) and dedicated (just for me)?
Ans:- Yes the 2 free IPs along with the package a Dedicated IPs and are assigned only to you.

4 - Can I install SSL in order to support HTTPS protocol?
Ans:- We can get SSL installed for you at an additional cost of £39.99 per domain per year upon your request.

5 - Have I fully root access? Via SSH, can I install new packages and change the configuration of the existing ones?
Ans:- Yes, You will get Full Root Access to your VPS and you can configure the packages on your VPS as per your requirements. You can also install any of your software or applications on it if required.

6 - Do you perform Automatic Backups? If you do, how often?
Ans:- Yes we do regular backups of the VPS once in a week. You can also opt for a deparate backup space and take hourly backups of your VPS.

7 - Which versions of CentOS are available and can I choose it or you’ll decide for me?
Ans:- We have CentOS 5.0 available.

8 - Do the prices on the website include VAT?
Ans:- The prices on the website are excluding VAT.

9 - Do I need to pay extra money for adding domains, rebooting, restoring the initial system or any other common task?
Ans:- No there isn’t any additional cost involved, however there are charges for restoring data and they depend on the size of the data that needs to be restored.

10 - If I close the SSH port, is there any way out to regain the control of the server via SSH?
Ans:- Yes, you can once again regain the control of the server Via SSH.

11 - If I shutdown my server by mistake, can you boot it immediately?
Ans:- Yes we will boot the VPS immediately once notified in such cases.

12 - Can I modify the standard SSH port or there is any firewall in your network that wouldn’t make that work?
Ans:- Yes you can modify and make changes as per your hosting requirements.

13 - Is the server located in UK?
Ans:- Yes the servers are located in UK Datacenter.

14 - What does ‘Managed VPS Hosting’ implies? Will you perform some maintenance operations? Will I be able to update the packages when I feel like?
Ans:-Managing your particular VPS would be up to you. However we will provide all assistance required for that.Yes you can update the package as and when required.Managed services include migrating your data, taking care of security of the node, installation of 3rd party software, technical suppport etc. Unmanaged service would be just giving you a VPS. Our VPS guidelines are mentioned at http://www.webhosting.uk.com/vps-hosting-policy.php

15 - Can I use a free SSL certificate without being charged? Can I install the SSL module in Apache?
Ans:- Yes, you can install any of the SSL certificates. We also provide SSL certificates for £39.99 per year per domain.

16 - What things does Virtuozzo provide me that I can’t do without it? I mean, I can boot my server by myself just through Virtuozzo, can’t I? Any other import things?
Ans:- Yes, here is the entire list for you.

Virtuozzo Power Panel Features:-
-> Start/Stop VPS: Start, stop, fast stop and restart the VPS.
-> VPS Resource Monitoring: Monitor VPS resource utilization for CPU, system, disk space and disk inodes.
-> VPS Backup/Restore: Back up and restore the VPS from the backup including all system and user files.
-> VPS Repair: Start the VPS in repair mode when a VPS is broken and does not boot.
-> Embedded SSH Client: Connect via integrated SSH client to the VPS.
-> VPS Re-install: Reinstall the VPS from scratch, either saving or discarding existing files.
-> VPS Actions Log: View the VPS actions log to monitor resource shortage alerts and various VPS events
-> VPS Resources: Shows package name, Additional Information, CPU Usage with graphic, System Usage with Graphic, Disk Usage and Network Usage. By pressing the
-> Extended button you will get a more detailed CPU Parameters, Disk Quota, and UBCs.
-> File Manager: Lets you see the files on your VPS.
-> Change Password: You can use this option to change the VPS Password.
-> System Services: Shows the running applications.
-> System Processes: Shows running application/processes. Lets you see CPU%, Mem%, the command and PID.
-> Status Changes: Shows the VPS changes such as restarts, stops, locked, etc.
-> Actions Log: Shows a list of actions, both running and already finished.
-> QoS Alerts: This will be the first thing that is going to tell you when a problem occurs.
============================================================================================
We will be able to deliver the server in about 4 hours from the time the order is verified & confirmed.Please feel free to contact us if you need any further assistance

Questions and answers by 1and1.co.uk:
> 1 - How much is the guaranteed Bandwidth per second in downloading?
We don’t offer a guaranteed download per second. Badwidth speeds can
vary depending on a number of issues.
> 2 - Are the IP you provide static (they don’t change) and dedicated
(just for me)?
The IPs are static and dedicated.
> 4 - Can I reboot the system via SSH? How many times?
You can reboot through SSH as often as you’d like.
> 5 - Can I install SSL in order to support HTTPS protocol?
You can install an SSL certificate and some of the VPS plans come
with one included with the account.
> 6 - Have I fully root access?
You have full root access.
> 7 - Can I get CentOS 5 installed on my server?
The default OS is already Cent OS 5.
> 8 - Do you perform Automatic Backups? If you do, how often?
We don’t perform backups as the servers are dedicated. You do have
the option to create backups in Virtuozzo and it should incrementally
create backups on it’s own.
> 9 - Is my server fully managed?
The servers are not managed as you full root access.
> 11 - Do I need to pay extra money for adding domains, rebooting,
restoring the initial system or any other common task?
There are fees for registering domains, but there is no charge for
adding them to server, rebooting or re-imaging.
> 12 - If I close the SSH port, is there any way out to regain the
control of the server via SSH?
If you’re locked out, you can kill the firewall service through the
Virtuozzo control panel.
> 13 - If I shutdown my server by mistake, can you boot it immediately?
If the server is shut down, you can restart it through Virtuozzo.
> 14 - Can I modify the standard SSH port or there is any firewall in
your network that wouldn’t make that work?
You can modify the SSH port if you’d like
> 15 - Is the server located in UK
The servers are located in our datacenter in Germany.

The result of my long and accurate selection says the best one is: Webhosting.uk.com. Then I joint them and I’m very happy. A very good value for money!