Pre-buy Questions

[Mookid77]

Hi all!

I work for a medium size Communications Company. I am looking at purchacing some Sharp Zaurii for the tech dept. Either the 5600 or 6000 Series.  After looking at the current PDA offerings, I found this one to be the best match. I would like your opinion though before I take the plunge. Here are some things I plan to use them for, and my current concerns.

Project:

Running Apache w/PHP and Mysql. I need do this because we run a knowledgebase Pineapple Technologies that uses PHP and Mysql. (This is currently running on a Windoze box).  I would like to copy the database to a mapped SD card and be able to take it on the road, modify and then sync  it back up with office server.

Will I have issues with SD card formats. Will the Windoze box regonize a linux formated card?    (is this even an isssue?)

How well does the Zaurus run Apache/PHP/ and Mysql?

I would also like to purchase some CF Serial cards so we will be able to run something similar to hyperterminal. A lot of our hardware need a direct serial connection to change settings, and having this portable solution would be key.


Any input would be great!

Thank you so much

Mookid77

[totaln00b]

Hi Mookid77,

I've been running apache/php/mysql on a C750 for a couple of months very successfully, so I can say that the basic setup works pretty well. You can use phpmyadmin for administering the database, or of course use your own php frontend.

However (and I freely admit to not being an expert on this) there do seem to be some problems with sorting out which user the msyql service runs as, and the only successful way that I got it to run was as root. This is fine if all you want is to use it as a localhost, but isn't the most secure setup in the world, but might it cause problems if you want to synch with your main database setup? (I don't really know the answer to that, unfortunately)

Can't help with any of the other issues I'm afraid!

Jo

[nevarrie]

Running Apache w/PHP and Mysql. I need do this because we run a knowledgebase Pineapple Technologies that uses PHP and Mysql. (This is currently running on a Windoze box). I would like to copy the database to a mapped SD card and be able to take it on the road, modify and then sync it back up with office server.

I had Mamba/PHP/Apache/MySQL on my SL-6000 for a few weeks just ot prove I could do it.  Most of the time it work though I did have a few more locks when I had mysql and apache running, but that could have been me also running gaim, qazoo, Opera, and OM/Pi along with apache and mysql.  I have stopped running apache and mysql local to the z and ssh to one of my servers to do work now...

Will I have issues with SD card formats. Will the Windoze box regonize a linux formated card? (is this even an isssue?)

My SD cards are all fat32 currently so that I can easily work with files on the Z and through my card reader on my windows workstation.  I think most poeple use fat32 or fat16 with thier SD card...

How well does the Zaurus run Apache/PHP/ and Mysql?

As I said above my z was a little slower and locked up every coulpe of days but I think it was more from how much I was trying to run at one time...

I would also like to purchase some CF Serial cards so we will be able to run something similar to hyperterminal. A lot of our hardware need a direct serial connection to change settings, and having this portable solution would be key.

If you get the 6000 you have the option of using a usb to serial connector...I have a keyspan USA-19HS that I ahve used with my solaris servers(I had to compile the modules for the kernel to make it work)

[Mookid77]

Thank you so much for your advice, it really helped out!  Now I'm looking at buying at C-860 for myself.  Hrm.....