PHP and MySQL are the mot used programming tool and database. The primary reason is that they are free and are definitely more stable hosted on a more reliable platform like Unix or Linux. Of course not forgetting the Web Server, the trusty Apache.
If you are going to make money online, at certain time of your career, you need to pick up some programming skills. I don’t care how many big shot Internet Marketer told you that they made their millions hardly able to move the mouse on their own. To build an online empire, you need to be able to design and build websites. I remember the first session of WIS was how to use frontpage, I personal feel you need to pick up PHP which is basically the free version of ASP. Although a lot more complex and coding have to done by hand, its will be worth well in the long run. I normally used www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp for references. You might prefer to buy a book or download a tutorial, print it or whatever.
You need to run a server, I recommend using XAMMP. Its a all in one package. Web server, PHP, mysql and many more. Its everything you need to start and its has a windows version so no linux installation is needed. For easier coding, I recommend using Notepad++, a multi language editor, what this does is that it convert PHP in a more readable format.
Learning a program language, should only take 2 hours if you have a good tutorial. Then you need to learn a unique skill which separates the classes of programmers. Debugging. If you are to debug a code you will be able to do anything you want. Good Analytical skills, discipline are required for coding, but no, not everyone turns into a geek. If you feel indifferent and wish to follow all the rest of the world and out source your programming work, getafreelancer and guru.com are good places. There’s a phrase Microsoft used to say and thats “PROGRAMMERS RULE THE WORLD!”
October 16th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
If you want to make money online you can invest in a good developer or a good idea. I’d say that’s where the marketers come from. Being a programmer myself I’ve also worked with a lot of those people who can barely move a mouse but have a good idea types. Those guys, given a good enough idea, can pretty easily find programmers to do the dirty work.
A good alternative to XAMMP is VertrigoServ. As if XAMMP isn’t simple enough, VertrigoServ makes the Windows PHP, Mysql, Apache setup even simpler in my eyes. The only downfall is that XAMMP seems to come loaded with every darn extra library you could imagine wheras VetrigoServ comes up short in some occasions. That’s not really bad though seeing as most cheap PHP hosting doesn’t come -fully loaded-.
Lastly, becuase I’m nit picking, notepad++ doesn’t actually convert PHP into anything. I believe you meant to say that notepad++ color codes PHP code in order to make it more readable.
October 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Thanks Josh for pointing to VertrigoServ, and notepad++. FOr me notepad++ does not convert PHP but rather makes it pretty, which is what programmers like. From scrap, I use notepad, then if the files goes too big, I use notepad++.