I am way over my head doing stuff I don't even care about. Like compiling apache, PHp and mysql and all the modules I wanted and phpmyadmin and a control panel was kind of fun. Then setting up ssh with logins was a little bit of a challenge but it was fine too.

Then came FTP. Well it wasn't working at all I got (e:ajay) to help me (thanks for helping me) but it is so fucking slow I can't even use it. Like most programs time out before it even logins in and then once it logs in it times out again. I searched online and tried to folow whatever instructions I could find about it being slow but I don't know if it is the server or the way the ftp was set up. I fear it is related to the DNS drama.

DNS
The DNS configuration was kind of working with BIND 8, then I upgraded to 9.2 and now nothing works for me.

If anyone understands how to set up a DNS server, please contact me or I am going to kill this site when the contract for the current locations ends this month. I would just pay for a server admin if I hadn't already threw $1000 at this.

First of all it is not worth the money - it now costs $40.00 month but it also def not worth all of my time. I have worked like 30 hours on this and I don't even have time to program anymore since the stupid crash move thing I have spent every waking minute compiling and installing. I pretty much just wanted to add the pdf and ming modules to PHP.

I hate to say this but next time I am definately picking a microsoft server because I can still run all of these fanctastic opesnource packages like php, mysql, and apache and not have to deal with the cryptic bullshit. What kills me is the attituide that the linux people in the forums have. I have not ever even posted a question because most of the time they are so mean to new people. I am totally put off by the whole thing. It would also be a lot different if it was on my own computer and not through some ssh prompt.

I mean I am a smart guy but I cannot teach myself how to be a server admin in terms of things like DNS overnight. It isn't like I am not reading hundreds of pages worth of manuals. I just don't understand the language they are speaking. At least I undestand how DNS works now if only I could understand how it is configured.

This is not even a fun project anymore. It makes me sick.

I just wanted to compile my own PHP, how did it get to be that I am trying to set up a DNS :(

In truth I am having a lot of fun compiling all the stuff I wanted

I didn't even end up using one rpm. Everything was configure, make, make install. It seriously took all night but worked without a hitch. MYSQL 4.1, PHP 5.0.3 , ming, Pspell, GD, Soap, XML, XMLRPC, IMA.

I finally broke down and got a Virtual Private Server account that lets me configure and install whatever software I want. The problem is that I have to configure and install all the software I want. He is aspell compiling. Thankfully, (e:ajay) taught me about this last month. Soon the site will be all in my control.

After several vet visits and a near death scare - a bout with blindness, he woke up today, opened his eyes and started eating! I think he is gonna make it afterall.