I’ve been using XAMPP for quite some time now since I’ve done a couple of web development projects already. If you don’t have some sort of web server on your computer, you won’t be able to test and run your web development projects offline if you are using MySQL or PHP for instance.

Installing XAMPP

Installing XAMPP is pretty straightforward. The website details you how to install XAMPP in a variety of ways for the different platforms. Then, once its installed, you simply place your web content in the \xampp\htdocs\ location on your computer and access it via a browser using http://localhost/

Hello World using XAMPP

For example, lets create “Hello World” using XAMPP and some PHP.

1. Once you installed and are running XAMPP, create a file called test.php and place it inside \xampp\htdocs.

2. Then, simply copy and paste the following php code.

1

<?php echo "Hello World"; ?>

. Do you notice the difference? Depending on the platform and browser, it might not behave correctly.

Overview of XAMPP

If you have wanted to get into web development, you should try XAMPP. It’s fairly easy to install and use. I’ve been using it for quite some time and haven’t found a better replacement.

Want more tutorials on using XAMPP? Let me know. I plan on demonstrating how to create and manage a MySQL database and even setting up a WordPress blog using XAMPP.

XAMPP

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So how does it work? Simply run the Wubi installer, enter a password for the account, choose some basic options, and click “Install”. Yes, it’s that simple. It’s not going to take any modifying of your partitions or boot loader. It just works like any other application. Yes, it’s that simple. If you don’t like it, simple uninstall it like any other application. Best of all, it’s free.

I’ve used it and to be honest, it’s great. Wubi is hassle free and extremely easy to use. Like mentioned, it’s extremely easy to uninstall and no need to worry about something going wrong.

What to know about Wubi

Below are somethings that you should know about Wubi before you try it out.

• Read the Wubi FAQ if you want to know how it works and answers to many of your questions
• To make it easier, pre-download the ISO and save it to the same directory where Wubi is extracted. That way, the installer doesn’t need to download it every time you run it.
• You can force Wubi to use a 32-bit verison of Ubuntu if you follow the previous step
• All you need is 256MB of RAM and an 1GHz or faster Intel/AMD processor is recommended for optimal performance. Installation requires 5GB. Bought your computer within the past 3 years? You should be fine.

Features of Dropbox

Below are some of the features I enjoy using it for. If you want to see the full list please visit Dropbox Features.

• 2GB of online storage, which can be increased through referrals
• Up to 100GB for paying customers
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
• Allows you to share folders or files with people to start collaborating on projects
• A “Public” folder that lets you create direct links to your files to share with your friends
• Access your files online as well as upload, delete, rename, etc
• It’s secure
• And it’s also mobile too

Impressions of Dropbox

When I lost my USB Hard Drive, I hated the idea of having to go buy another one. Instead, I found Dropbox. Ever since then whenever I need to access something across multiple computers, I drop it in my Dropbox and better yet, I could access it online. Best of all it’s very easy to set up across multiple computers. With the added bonus of sharing folders and files, and even creating links for files for your friends to access, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Best of all it’s free so you have nothing to lose.

Updated: Added video on Dropbox

Dropbox

Create a virtual machine using VirtualBox

Virtual Box is a powerful open source x86 virtualization that runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and OpenSolaris. It supports a large number of guest operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 RC, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat. VirtualBox is free as well as many linux distributions. So if you haven’t tried any, I’d recommend you doing so.

In simpler terms, Virtual Box allows you to run another OS on top of your currently existing one. If you wanted to try installing an OS without the hassle of dual-booting, or even wanted to install another OS to do some programming since maybe Windows isn’t the best for you, then virtualiziation is one way to go. There is also no way you can harm your computer so its risk-free. If you corrupt a guest OS, simply delete it and try again.

VirtualBox Features

• Guest Additions for Windows, Linux, and Solaris – Allows you to install software inside the OS that improves performance. Just recently the guest additions allowed users running Ubuntu to run the Visual Effects, which is nice.
• Shared folders – Access folders from the host in the guest machines
Virtual USB Controllers – Connect a USB device and your virtual machine will recognize it, including USB Flash Drives.

For more features visit Virtual Box Features.

How to start

If you want to start, simply download Virtual Box and an OS. I’d recommend Ubuntu since thats probably the most user friendly (or so I think). If you want something else, hit up DistroWatch. Once you have that, setting up Virtual Box with the OS is pretty straightforward. I’ll add a tutorial later on for those who still need help.

My Usage of VirtualBox

I use Virtual Box to create my own programming environment. I personally use Ubuntu but I have also used other linux operating systems that can be found at DistroWatch. Since I run a dual monitor setup, I usually have Windows 7 running on my left monitor while Ubuntu runs on my right monitor in the case I need to program and attend to my other needs such as IM or music player which are still running on Windows.

When I run Ubuntu on my Macbook on the other hand, I simply run it full screen and within the virtualized machine I run my music player, IM client, and have my programming environment set up so I don’t have to be switching back and forth since running another OS requires quite a bit of resources.

Final Impressions of VirtualBox

For quite some time now, I’ve been using Virtual Box nearly every day and haven’t had a complaint. It’s stable, free, and relatively easy to use. If your interested in virtualizing, I’d recommend you in trying this out.

Virtual Box

Examples of functions in ML

Below are examples to get you familiar in ML. Syntax and how the language works will be explained in later tutorials.

(* Factorial Function *)
fun fact n = 
     if n = 0 then 
          1
     else
          n * fact(n-1);
 
(* Reverse function *)
fun reverse n = 
     if null n then
          n
     else
          reverse(tl n)@[(hd n)];

How to start Programming in ML

The Standard ML of New Jersey provides an interactive compiler for Windows, Linux, amongst others. SML/NJ distribution files are available freely to download.

Install SML/NJ in Windows

Simply download the appropriate windows installer at SML/NJ distribution files. After downloading, simply install the files with the installer, restart your computer, and the program is available to run from then on.

Install SML/NJ in Linux

To install SML/NJ in Linux simply complete the following steps.

1. Open your terminal
2. Type in sudo apt get-install smlnj
3. Complete installation
4. To run smlnj, type in smlnj in your compiler

Features of DExposE2 Reloaded

• Portable Version
• Interaction with previews
• Hotcorners and Hotkey support
• Window previews are clear
• Desktop shown in background
• Multimonitor Support

For a complete set of features go toDExposE2 Reloaded Features.

Remarks on DExposE2

So far its great for users who want more eye candy and want to use your PC with style. I currently use it on my laptop and haven’t found a reason to remove it. You should try it out. It’s very fast and doesn’t use a lot of resources.

Download DExposE2.

DExposE2 in action

Do you know of any software as this one? Tell us about it!

Launchy makes opening applications fast!

Launchy is a free Window and Linux utility designed to make you forget about your start menu or desktop and does a good job about it! By default, Launchy displays over all your applications with a press of ALT-SpaceBar, then allows you to start typing in the application you want to open, and Launchy will start firing up suggestions, once you nail the right app, press enter and it opens! See why you never have to visit your Start Menu ever again?

Overall, Launchy is a great application to speed up your productivity. I’ve recently downloaded it onto my desktop and my laptop. Also, just make sure your mouse doesn’t get jealous because you won’t be using it as much anymore!

More Launchy Screenshots

Installing Ubuntu

5. On the following screen choose Install Ubuntu. If you really want, you can Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer so you can test it out and see if you like it. For this tutorial, I’ll go with the Install Ubuntu option.


If the following boot screen doesn’t show up, your BIOS probably doesn’t check your cd-drive. When your computer starts, go into your BIOS and change the appropriate settings.

What now?

If for some reason, you want to remove Ubuntu, don’t do it without reading any appropriate guides! It will provide terrible headache as you might not be able to boot into XP anymore! I’ll post the best solution in awhile.



Why not try learning How to write and compile a C++ program in Linux?

Using CodeBlocks to program Hello World

1. Open up CodeBlocks and simply click on “Create a new project”.

Useful Resources

C++ Tutorial – Page where our C++ tutorials can be found at.
Hello World – Step by Step telling you what each line of Hello World actually does!