Re: documentation Digest, Vol 57, Issue 10

[Julia Kulla-Mader]

kazah, 

(Long time lurker, first docs team post. Sorry in advance if I'm violating any protocols).

> I have seen references to something like "./configure". What is that?
> Where do I find it? How do I edit it? I tried typing "locate
> ./configure" at the command prompt but that didn't work to help me find
>where to do this.

"./configure, " "make", and "make install" are all commands used to install a program from source code. They are generally run from within the folder of the program you are trying to install. "./configure" builds a new make file. "make" builds a program. and "make install" actually installs the program. You have to run all three to install something. An alternative is to use "yum" or "apt-get" depending on what flavor of Linux your server is running. Both of these are preferable to installing from source because it will make it way easier to upgrade or uninstall software later on. 

In terms of documentation needs, I wonder if it would be useful to also have a documentation page on how to talk to your hosting company about installing PDO. If there isn't one already, there could also be a page on talking to hosting companies about why you need PHP 5. Although, I sure hope that there aren't too many people still stuck with PHP 4 hosting providers. 

Julia

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[adept digital evolution]

On 08-21-2009 12:01 PM, Julia Kulla-Mader wrote:
> kazah,
>
>
> In terms of documentation needs, I wonder if it would be useful to
> also have a documentation page on how to talk to your hosting company
> about installing PDO.

YES. and i'm glad you came out of lurk mode. We need instructions for
people like me who have smoke coming out of their ears as soon as you
say "check phpinfo()". Unless Drupal was never intended to be for folks
like me (if I'm wrong on that, guys, just say so!)

> If there isn't one already, there could also be a page on talking to
> hosting companies about why you need PHP 5. Although, I sure hope that
> there aren't too many people still stuck with PHP 4 hosting providers.
>

I would think only pretty longstanding accounts would still have php4. I
don't think we need to explain why php5, just to say it is a minimum
requirement. I've not seen a single hosting provider out there that
doesn't offer PHP5. Some also allow PHP4 as an option but PHP5 seems the
default. And I say that after having researched dozens of hosting
providers about a year ago.

thanks, Julia,

kazar
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