As we started the project of our electronic auction, we knew that the proprietary software costs would be too high for our financial resources. Our only option then was to make use of Open Source Code softwares.
However, within the Open Source Code there are lots of softwares to choose from, and it´s up to the system analyst/programmer to pick the ones that best suit the project goals.
In our case, we picked Linux as our operating system. However we faced a big question: Which Linux distribution ? There are dozens of linux distributions, each one with specific advantages, sometimes with or without paid services.
We chose linux Slackware because we thought that it would suit better our needs, in terms of stability and reliability. Slackware is a conservative distribution, meaning that it only offers in its distribution package kernel versions and third party libraries, once it´s been proved to be stable and reliable. As a result, Slackware is one the most stable Linux operating system on the market. If the user wishes the most recent Linux kernel and libraries, we recommend to look for a different distribution.
Another reason for us picking Slackware, was because of its text interface, which at the beginning may become a bit difficult, in the long run however it offers a better understanding of the Linux environment. This way most of Slackware configurations are done thru text scripts.
Once it was set the operating system, we picked Apache as our web server. Apache is one of the most popular web server in the internet. For server programming language, we chose PHP. Also, a very popular programming language. Our experience with Apache/PHP proves that this setup is very reliable, working extremely well in our production environment. For workstation programming language, we chose javascript, which besides of having a simple syntax, it offers lots of resources.
Apache web server is really a complete web server. Also, it can become very complex with many configuration setups.
For our database, we picked Postgresql. This database has been made available to the public for more than 15 years, and besides of being well debugged, it offers so many resources that it has become one of the best database options from Open Source Code softwares. Extremely reliable, Postgresql has reported cases where there have been databases in production with over 4 terabytes. Besides all of that, Postresql is not the most popular Open Source Code database. A matter of marketing ? Probably.
As for the programming language PHP, we had to use an object oriented application structure. There are many PHP application structures being offered with Open Source Code license. Object oriented application is very important, because it makes programming very easy and scalable up to the point where the system may grow without many problems. Also, it helps to keep PHP code separated from HTML, with the help of some specific libraries, such as Smarty. We make use of Smarty library and we believe that it is a very important resource, which can even make web pages faster thru the use of its cache functions.
Also a very important set of libraries worth mentioning for PHP systems, is the PEAR libraries. In PEAR web site, among the many libraries being offered, there are the database interface DB and the MAIL_QUEUE, which sends emails thru the use of database.
As we came to the end of our web site project, we had to use some sort of real time database replication. For that we chose the DRBD and Heartbeat libraries. The use of database replication is very important and should not be postponed. Just after 3 months our system got into production, our server hard disk became bad. Thru the use of DRBD/Heartbeat we were able to put the system back into production within seconds, without loosing any data. DRBD/Heartbeat replication is done thru the use of a lan network between the server and slave nodes.
Our project also makes use of ImageMagick (enlarge and reduce images), Iptables (firewall), Tsearch2(text search in portgresql) and Mon (linux monitoring tasks).
Also a very important library worth mentioning is the pseudo APC compiler for PHP. Speed is always a critical factor for internet sites.
Our web site is already in production and based upon our experience we can say that the Open Source Code softwares we picked, proved to be extremely reliable and stable. Open Source Code softwares can certainly be an excellent option for developing web sites.
Roberto Sedycias
IT Consultant
Showing posts with label Web design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Web design. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
4 Top Benefits Of A Professional Web Design
A professional web design is essential to internet success. This is especially true for businesses. While there are many software programs, tutorials, and do-it-yourself websites available across the internet, nothing can compare to a professional web design, for so many different reasons. Here, we are going to show you the top four benefits of a professional web design and why no business should take a chance on anything but professionalism.
Benefit #1 – First Impressions DO Count
Surely, you remember your mother telling you, the first impression is all you get in life. This still holds true in life and on the internet. Your website is your access to a world of customers and your customer’s access to you. It is a proven fact that you have no more than six seconds, that is right six (6) seconds, to grab a potential customer’s attention. If your website is not professional designed in an appealing nature with easy navigation, fresh content, and believability, you will have lost them almost instantly.
Benefit #2 – More Sales = Greater Profit
It is yet another proven fact that the right design will increase your sales. If you are new to website design and fail to include the fundamental aspects in your website, there is a great chance that your sales and profit will suffer as a result. With professional web design, the designers, project managers, and any person that works with the company knows just what it takes to create a profitable website, which will increase sales, and ultimately your profit.
Benefit #3 – Product Highlights
No matter if you offer 1 product or 5,000 products, a professional web designer will know just what it takes to highlight the right products. They have a good idea of your targeted audience, what they are looking for, and how to properly highlight products for increased sales. The same applies with services as well. It is necessary to show the best of what you have to offer in order to convert visitors to paying customers.
Benefit #4 – Unique
Perhaps one of the best things about a professional web design is the fact that your website will be yours and only yours. There will not be another website on the internet that looks like yours. When you use templates found on the internet or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors, there is a good chance that hundreds of other webmasters, just like you, have the same exact template. Potential customers want to see something new, fresh, and unique. They definitely do not want to see the same website over and over again.
There you have it the top four benefits of a professional web design. There are so many more benefits, but the above four are the top reasons why you should be choosing a professional design company.
Benefit #1 – First Impressions DO Count
Surely, you remember your mother telling you, the first impression is all you get in life. This still holds true in life and on the internet. Your website is your access to a world of customers and your customer’s access to you. It is a proven fact that you have no more than six seconds, that is right six (6) seconds, to grab a potential customer’s attention. If your website is not professional designed in an appealing nature with easy navigation, fresh content, and believability, you will have lost them almost instantly.
Benefit #2 – More Sales = Greater Profit
It is yet another proven fact that the right design will increase your sales. If you are new to website design and fail to include the fundamental aspects in your website, there is a great chance that your sales and profit will suffer as a result. With professional web design, the designers, project managers, and any person that works with the company knows just what it takes to create a profitable website, which will increase sales, and ultimately your profit.
Benefit #3 – Product Highlights
No matter if you offer 1 product or 5,000 products, a professional web designer will know just what it takes to highlight the right products. They have a good idea of your targeted audience, what they are looking for, and how to properly highlight products for increased sales. The same applies with services as well. It is necessary to show the best of what you have to offer in order to convert visitors to paying customers.
Benefit #4 – Unique
Perhaps one of the best things about a professional web design is the fact that your website will be yours and only yours. There will not be another website on the internet that looks like yours. When you use templates found on the internet or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors, there is a good chance that hundreds of other webmasters, just like you, have the same exact template. Potential customers want to see something new, fresh, and unique. They definitely do not want to see the same website over and over again.
There you have it the top four benefits of a professional web design. There are so many more benefits, but the above four are the top reasons why you should be choosing a professional design company.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Computer Training with IT Computer Training Courses | Computer Courses
ABCO Technology specializes in providing Computer Training and Consulting for the Information Technology Industry. Computer Training is provided by experienced, certified industry experts that have years of seasoning in their respective field of Information Technology. All instructors use the official vendor curriculums for their courses, along with using live company projects to enhance the usability of the training material. It is through this method of education that our students have been able to move on to high-level professions inside the IT industry.
ABCO Technology is your one stop IT Solution Company, along with training we also offer IT consulting services to companies including web site design, corporate network setup, repair and maintenance, database design and development, Application development, Project Management. Whether you or your company need training on applications as well as computer use or need to update, migrate or repair your existing company setup ABCO can present a solution that will fit your needs. On internet, the people mostly come to search for the information. Most of the information is text based. If a fancy page has no information or substance, it delivers no value. With these things and your research in mind, here are few other important points that you must take into account while planning your website design. Also we provides Search Engine Marketing Consulting service offers classy keyword research, link building, SEO optimization and marketing tips, web site promotion internet marketing using organic SEO techniques.
ABCO Technology is dedicated to helping companies find the right computer training and consulting services for their business. We strive to be the finest resource available, allowing our clients to achieve the best practical hands-on training or IT solutions Clients want technology to work efficiently and simply. ABCO helps your company move in the right direction with the right solution. We offer Specialized programming classes designed for clients who have special IT requirements. We make a special promise to all of our clients that all classes at ABCO will be simulated according to the job environment. We can provide training at our location or at the client's site. Students can ask specific questions, receive time sensitive hands-on training and ask the key questions which can lead to improve their performance at work after training from ABCO.
ABCO Technology Computer Training Schools offer basic IT Computer Training Certifications in specific operating systems like Linux or basic networking technologies. Associate certification course are also offered and tend to take one year to complete and prepare for jobs as systems analysts, database administrators, or middle level design positions. ABCO Technology computer training institute prepare individuals for higher-level computing and engineering jobs.
ABCO Technology is your one stop IT Solution Company, along with training we also offer IT consulting services to companies including web site design, corporate network setup, repair and maintenance, database design and development, Application development, Project Management. Whether you or your company need training on applications as well as computer use or need to update, migrate or repair your existing company setup ABCO can present a solution that will fit your needs. On internet, the people mostly come to search for the information. Most of the information is text based. If a fancy page has no information or substance, it delivers no value. With these things and your research in mind, here are few other important points that you must take into account while planning your website design. Also we provides Search Engine Marketing Consulting service offers classy keyword research, link building, SEO optimization and marketing tips, web site promotion internet marketing using organic SEO techniques.
ABCO Technology is dedicated to helping companies find the right computer training and consulting services for their business. We strive to be the finest resource available, allowing our clients to achieve the best practical hands-on training or IT solutions Clients want technology to work efficiently and simply. ABCO helps your company move in the right direction with the right solution. We offer Specialized programming classes designed for clients who have special IT requirements. We make a special promise to all of our clients that all classes at ABCO will be simulated according to the job environment. We can provide training at our location or at the client's site. Students can ask specific questions, receive time sensitive hands-on training and ask the key questions which can lead to improve their performance at work after training from ABCO.
ABCO Technology Computer Training Schools offer basic IT Computer Training Certifications in specific operating systems like Linux or basic networking technologies. Associate certification course are also offered and tend to take one year to complete and prepare for jobs as systems analysts, database administrators, or middle level design positions. ABCO Technology computer training institute prepare individuals for higher-level computing and engineering jobs.
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