Installing a Complete Web Development Machine on Windows 7 with CakePHP

The solution listed below is running PHP in IIS7, which actually works pretty good, all things considered.

1. Install Web Platform Installer

2. Install PHP Manager, PHP 5.3, CGI (including FastCGI), URL Rewrite Module (Not quite as bullet proof as Mod Rewrite, but very well done)

3. Install MySQL CE

4. Install MySQL Workbench (If you like GUI MySQL management)

5. Copy Over CakePHP to Library, and Add PHP executable path, and cake console path to Env PATH

I recently, installed Windows 7 on my laptop, (Thanks Chuck) and it gave me the opportunity to re-create my development environment.

Supposedly, Windows has a WebMatrix Package the creates a fully functional web server stack, but it uses SQL Server express, which always just seems so heavy to me.

CakePHP on Mac OSX

Ok, so some of you geeks out there may already know this, but I didn't so I will share it with you.

The newer version of Mac OSX has apache built into it. On OSX, Apache is called Web Sharing and the Web Server itself can be turned on in the System Preferences.

Also, PHP comes installed and ready to use via the command line.

If you want an actual Web Server stack there are a couple things you need to change to make it all work.
Htaccess – By default Mac disables the htaccess rewrites and stuff. So edit
the /etc/apache2/httpd.conf to AllowOverride in the Directory Directive.
PHP – By default Mac disables the PHP module. So edit the
/etc/apache2/httpd.conf and uncomment the PHP module.

And for those of us that wear the I heart CakePHP t-shirts...

To use the Cake Console directly from the command line – Add cake to the ENV path, by adding a simple file to the
/etc/paths.d directory that contains one line of the path to the cake console file.

And there you have it, a full blown Production Environment Grade Web Server right there in every Mac.

We use a Mac at work for preparing and uploading images to our web properties... I needed to tap a couple Soap APIs from the Mac and was getting ready to install the dreaded, bulky, MAMP. I was relieved when I found this fully functional web server built in, very cool.

Sync your contacts between Thunderbird and Gmail using Zindus

Over the past year I have been syncing my contacts over the Apple cloud Mobile Me service. Well, my year was up, and I didn't feel like renewing.

Plus it didn't sync with Mozilla's Thunderbird, and I hate Outlook.

iTunes allows for syncing with gmail/google contacts, so that's cool. I turned that on, and that replaces the need for Mobile Me. 

But what about all my Thunderbird Contacts...

Enter Zindus, an Thunderbird add-on, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/6095

Steps:

1. Download Zindus
2. From the tools menu choose addons
3. Click install and browse to where you downloaded the file
4. Restart Thunderbird
5. From the tools menu choose Zindus
6. Enter your google account information, and let it go

For the steps to turn on the iPhone gmail contact syncing, see my Gmail Contacts on the iPhone Post.

Links:

http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/31/sync-gmail-contacts-with-thunderbird/

Syncing your iPhone with Gmail

After having my iPhone and trying the Mobile Me service with Apple for the last year, I decided not to renew and sync with gmail contacts instead.

Here are the steps to make the switch:

1. Plug iPhone into the computer you normally do.
2. Click on your iPhone from the devices list.
3. Choose the info tab up top
4. Click the checkbox to sync contacts
5. Choose google contacts from the sync with options
6. Enter your google account information, and let it think for a bit.
7. Click the Sync button in the lower right hand corner
8. Choose the Merge Option when the window comes up
9. The iPhone will be syncing for a minute or so, depending on how many contacts you have.
10. You are all set.

If you are using Mozilla's Thunderbird try Zindus for syncing your contacts between Gmail and Thunderbird. For the step by step see my post, Sync your contacts between Thunderbird and Gmail using Zindus

Update: 2001 Honda Passport Pinging Issue

A previous post My Honda Passport is pinging... describes a well known problem in the car my wife drives normally. At certain engine speeds there is a pinging (stands for pre-ignition) noise, which is bad because it means that the fuel mixture is getting ignited and burning prematurely.

I followed all the steps from the information that I could find and still no luck. 

1. I put new spark plugs in
2. I ran through some fuel treatment
3. I replaced the air filter
4. I changed the oil

I can say that the spark plugs need to be changed; I think they were the original plugs from 2001, after almost 70 thousand miles.

Alas, still pinging.

Posting to your blogger blog from your email

So, I have been thinking that I should get in to a routine of blogging and sharing some of the tricks that I learn in my daily life. But, alas just another thing to do.

Never fear the blogger team has done it again. You can now post to your blog by email.

Here's the steps:

1. Sign in to your blogger account.
2. Click on the envelope to the left of the blog name.
3. Choose a unique name for the email address.
4. Start sending posts to your blog.

Pretty simple.

My Honda Passport is pinging...

My wife and I have had a 2001 Honda Passport for the last couple of years. Has been a good car. But there is an awful pinging (pre-ignition) noise between 2000 and 3000 rpm. After some research, I have found that there is a common problem with that engine.

Here is a post from a site that I found.

//External Post Start. Source

My engine is knocking and ping’ing what can I do?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=178212

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=153083&highlight=ion

If you have a 2000-2004 Isuzu, make sure you only use Denso K16PR-P11 spark plugs. Check the link below to buy them for 6.80/plug (note the dealer charges about 17/plug)

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1363272&mfid=3

The 2000-2004 engines have the GM/delphi "ion sensing" ignition system where the spark plugs are used as a sensor (when they are not firing) to measure the electrical resistance of the gasses in the combustion chamber. Other plugs may cause the ECU to register a code (misfire code: P1340). Also, it has been noted that some 00 trucks came with champion plugs from the factory, which cause knocking, due to to ion sense coils.

If you have 1998-1999, the suggested plugs are NGK or Denso or Champion double platinum plugs.

A dirty EGR port may cause knocking. Knocking also, may be caused by carbon build-up in the combustion chamber. Adding one 20oz bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate® every 3k, will help to keep the combustion chamber and fuel injectors clean. Also Sea Foam is another excellent product to use (it can be added to the gas and the oil).

Finally keep that PCV valve clean! Either replace it once a year, or pull it every 6 months or so and spray it out with some carb cleaner.

//External Post End.

Of course this is for isuzu rodeos, but if you don't already know Honda Passports are the same SUV, just with different name plates.

I have not solved my problem quite yet... My Passport already has Denso plugs, so I will put new ones in, and I might try to get the newest ECU configuration from the dealer, which was a recommendation from one of the automotiveforum threads.

Will post an update as soon as I fix my problem.