Hi,

Quick question... I need to do some PHP testing and am going to install Ubuntu on an old laptop, (but decently specced) laptop, but am unsure if I need to install the Server edition or whether the Desktop edition will do the job.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Both will work fine. The desktop version will give you more flexibility for long-term use of the machine...

To be honest, I'd just stick Ubuntu in a VM with PHP installed, it doesn't take much power to run a site for testing / demo purposes.

Thanks Dave, I will probably end up using a VM as I need to have Windows installed on the laptop for storing/shopping photo's as well.

Edit to add: Thinking about it I would probably be better with the Server edition, as I'm guessing that it won't install as many apps, such as games, etc and I can't be @rsed going through the custom installation and removing any unnecessary programs.

Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

You might want to check whether the server edition installs a GUI if that's something you need.

You might want to check this thread:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions ... er-462043/

Thanks guys. I don't think the server edition does have a GUI, but that's not a problem as I only need it to host some php stuff I'm doing, and I would be remotely connected to the server, using VI, (or whatever the Ubuntu equivalent is) for local editing.

First of all: Good man!
Secondly: Ubuntu (client 10.4 or whatever it is) uses vi instead of vim, but what you get is vim. Just a heads up as it confused me.

You don't need a GUI. Most of the Linux servers I've managed over the years never had X installed, let alone a desktop manager. Remotely managing over SSH was all that was needed. That will also make the VM much lighter - although you could restrict the server to booting to RL3, once it is configured.

Update time. I put Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Desktop on the laptop last night and installed PHP, MySQL, etc...

The only slight issue I had was that I couldn't copy any files into the www folder, but I overcame that by activating the root account and copying the files from the command line. I might find a better solution at some stage, but it'll do for now...



Since I have never used VIM that shouldn't be a problem, which reminds me... I must remember to get the VI cheat sheet from the carp cupboard wall when I get home