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Hagershorn
2010-05-29
2013-05-30
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-29

    I want to run PHPGedView on my computer as well as on my website.  The wiki.phpgedview tells me to download PHPLaunch.zip and the PHP Pecl package and gives me the links to 1) sourceforge for the PHPLaunch and 2) php.net for the php and PHPPecl package.  PHPLaunch doesn't exist on sourceforge  nor as far as I can see on the web and there are a multitude of pecls on php.net .  Can someone help and tell me what I'm doing wrong to try to find these files and failing?  Which pecl package do I download?

    I have apache successfully running on my computer with php and mysql and can create, develop and run "websites" prior to uploading the files to my site.  I just want to do it with phpgedview as well.

    Thanks in advance
    Hagershorn

     
  • Stephen Arnold

    Stephen Arnold - 2010-05-29

    Hagershorn
    Install PGV into a folder on your local webserver, just as you would on a remote version. Create a database to use with PGV in your MySQL installation and create a USER and PW with privileges to the future PGV database. Then run the install at:
    http://localhost/php-folder/install.php

    I have no idea why the wiki would recommend phpLaunch unless we are talking the very old demo system.
    stephen

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-29

    OK okbigkid.  Thank you.  I will try that.  I already have the MYSQL database.  I'll have a go.

    John H

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-30

    THanks Ookbigkid.  That worked.
    My next problem is that it won't let me set up the administrator.  in the wizard "Create Admin User" dialog box, when I fill in the boxes and press next it blanks out the boxes and says "Unable to add user. Please try again."
    Any suggestions?
    John Hawthornthwaite

     
  • Stephen Arnold

    Stephen Arnold - 2010-05-30

    Not sure exactly where you are in the process, but do you have the correct permissions set for your folder(s)?
    If it can't write to file, it can't create your config.php file.
    -Stephen

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-30

    Hi Stephen,

    Many thanks.

    Not sure myself what the problem was.
    Yes I had set all the files to read/write.
    However, in the end I pressed the getting started button in the wizard and it opened up phpgedview with all the users.  I told you earlier that I had downloaded the mysql database from my website.  All the users were in there and phpgedview accepted them.  I'm up and away.  I can only presume that it couldn't create an admin user as there was already one there.

    Many thanks for your help and time.  I don't know why the wiki wanted me to download phplaunch.exe when the file doesn't exist and why it isn't needed anyway.

    It works and is a very great deal faster than on line and I can edit everything and upload when finished.

    Thanks again.  You're a star. I owe you a pint at least.
    John H

     
  • Stephen Arnold

    Stephen Arnold - 2010-05-30

    John
    Use caution when you upload and remember to NOT Keep media links, as they are already included in your incoming GEDCOM.
    If you have a serious performance difference between online and local with PGV, you perhaps have a configuration issue, more than a remote/local issue.
    1) Assuming you do NOT use sync to gedcom (has to constantly rewrite the entire file to disk, its pretty hard to our perform the remote server, much like out-typing word. Certainly on very old, resource strapped computers, that was an issue, but no longer.
    2) Server is well-connected to the Internet (fast T-1 or better connection)
    3) Server is well-equipped (fast processor, plenty of RAM assignable to PGV)
    4) SQL is well configured (proper collation, operating parameters optimized)
    5 ) PGV configuration is optimized (RAM, timeouts, etc)
    6) Local machine has fast Internet connection.

    These are important parameters for operating an optimized remote PGV site. I rarely can outperform my server locally and the dangers of replacing a GEDCOM with corruption or loss of data is too great for me. Also, if I'm working locally, I have no way to coordinate any of the daily additions or changes made by my 300+ users. I certainly wouldn't want to shut down their access while I futz around offline. Just think about it.
    Stephen

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-30

    Hi Stephen,
    Wow! Thank you for all that.    The server is SureServer, with  its base in the US.  I have a separate site with Sureserver with the base in Frankfurt.  The Frankfurt server is much faster than the US server and when my contract runs out in September I will probably ask them to move me to Frankfurt.  My local pgv is half as fast again.  The slowness is with the page refresh when I add data.  I haven't let anyone else add data.  I have a couple of contacts who give me data but their research is a bit iffy and I would rather do my own follow up.  I don't sync.  (as far as I know!!).  I don't change the media links locally, nor do I add media locally.  (I've been bitten once by that), PGV created the SQL so I have presumed it to be correctly configured and I downloaded a copy for the local PGV which seems to be very happy with it.  I haven't changed it so presumed that the gedcom would have no problems with the server SQL when uploaded.

    Am I travelling on the right lines?

    Regards
    John H

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-30

    Stephen,

    NB
    I think this will be very useful conversation for others in the same boat.

    Thanks
    John

     
  • Stephen Arnold

    Stephen Arnold - 2010-05-30

    John
    Just a few notes to perhaps make sure we don't propagate any misconceptions.

    The slowness is with the page refresh when I add data

    This may be due to PGV still syncing with the gedcom,
    inadequate RAM for PGV, connection speeds or misconfigured SQL tables.

    PGV created the SQL so I have presumed it to be correctly configured

    PGV does not usually configure any SQL, it
    only creates the tables needed in a pre-existing database and collation is handled by the SQL preferences (INI). Your SQL can
    be using a slower table structure or the collation may vary from table to table. Additionally, SQL on a shared server is unlikely to
    have the SQL optimized.

    Syncing to GEDCOM

    In the GEDCOM configuration, under EDIT OPTIONS, second line down is:
    Synchronize edits into GEDCOM file.  If you select YES, as I said earlier, the entire GEDCOM must be rewritten to disk
    each time a change is made - not just the line(s) changed - but the ENTIRE gedcom. This can be VERY slow, depending on size.

    I haven't let anyone else add data.

    Bummer - this is one of the major attractions to PGV. The collaborative effort of
    cousins to help you expand your ancestral history is a big feature. PGV provides plenty of checks and balances for data entry,
    and a little training after discovering errors goes a long way. Our FAQ page solved most of these, as well as our authorization
    e-mails which include rules, regulations, guidelines and standards. Finally, the review changes process gives you plenty of
    options for easily correcting errors and adding SOUR information. These reviews also provide areas for training/education of
    users.

    Finally, I don't know which version you use on your remote server, but 4.2.3 and (+) versions operate in a magnitude of
    improvement over previous versions. I highly recommend, assuming the server is compatible (see wiki), upgrading your PGV
    version to the latest package.

    Hope this helps, Stephen

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-30

    Stephen
    That's a lot to take in at 2300 hrs.
    I will look at it in slow time and see how it's all configured.  I have 4.2.1.  I'll look at the upgrade.
    Thanks for yr help.  I'll come back to you, prob tomorrow (if my wife lets me!!!)
    See you
    John H

     
  • Hagershorn

    Hagershorn - 2010-05-31

    Hi Stephen,

    Hope you had a relaxing weekend and didn't have too many idiots like me.
    The sync was set to yes.  I set it to no and off we go.  Faster than my desktop as you said it would be.
    Thank you very much.  I will lok at letting others add or alter the data.  You are quite right, it should be OK if I monitor it and
    make sure the source is good.

    Thank you again for your time.  I think I owe you more than a pint.

    Regards
    John H

     
  • Stephen Arnold

    Stephen Arnold - 2010-05-31

    John
    Hope to return to the UK sometime and I'll be looking to collect on my pint or two. Ummmmm.
    Glad to help, Stephen

     

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