local apache web server revisited

[hermes]

I would like to replicate an apache server on my home computer. Conclusions of a previous thread on this topic:

1) Use the same operating system for your local apache server as your host uses.

Any comments on just how important this is would be very welcome because i am thinking of cutting a corner and running my local apache server on windows XP. My prospective host uses Linux.

2) There are some nice "neat, easy, tidy" installs of apache (with PHP and MySQL) available.

easyphp
AppServ
XAMPP

Any comments on which one is best would be highly appreciated. As would further suggestions.

3) Things that I want to do which are a bit special:

) Use the PHP IMAP functions. These are a PHP extension.

[uk2.php.net...]

So, I will have to add this extension. How easy is this with these local apache servers?

) Does anyone know an IMAP email client that I can put on my local host apache server?

courier-imap or CyrusIMAPD are apparantly possibilities. Can anyone point me to any reseources that would guide me through setting up these clients so that they are integrated with the apache web server - so that PHP code on the apache server could have access to emails in the IMAP email inbox. PHP code on the server can send emails from the IMAP email inbox.

Thanks ever so much for your help. Hope u guys r enjoying the wk.

[IamStang]

This is referring to your question 2.

I cant say which is best, but I use AppServ on Win2K pro and have had no problems with it. Easy install and easy configuration.

If you do decide to stick with your XP OS and install one of the mentioned packages, do yourself a favor and spend a few days researching security. Better yet, if you plan to use it for strictly testing of scripts, get a decent router and disallow access from the outside world completely. But still read up on security.

Just my 2 cents,
IamStang

[hermes]

"if you plan to use it for strictly testing of scripts, get a decent router and disallow access from the outside world completely."

I thought access from the outside world would be blocked by default. I do just want to use one of these packages for testing of scripts at home. I do not want to publish any information on the web from my home computer. I do not want people getting into my computer via one of these packages. I thought I would be protected by default. Is this not the case?

I am a little worried now.

[IamStang]

hermes .. check your sticky mail up top. Dont want to clutter this thread any more than necessary.

[hermes]

Thanks ever so much IamStang - got the stickies. Now my mind is at peace with the security concerns. Can anyone help with the Q's in the first post? I would be so grateful.

[jatar_k]

1. often not an option to have the same. My home machine is xp but I have never hosted a site on windows anything. The important thing is to understand the differences and to test, test, test when planning on releasing a script to your site.

2. eh, I have heard good things about those and more. It is easier, I think, to just set them up yourself.

3. enabling extensions/libraries is fairly easy. edit your php.ini and throw the dll in the appropriate folder

>> IMAP email client

I am assuming you mean server

>> courier-imap or CyrusIMAPD

yeah, sure, either, I think Cyrus I would say because I have heard more about it.

>> PHP code on the server can send emails from the IMAP email inbox

why?