“PHP, on the other hand, is free. It is combined with three
other technologies to form a powerful Web development solution
abbreviated LAMP: Linux (operating system), Apache (Web server),
MySQL (database) and PHP (scripting language). Even with MySQL’s
insistance that businesses pay a nominal fee for its use, Linux,
Apache and PHP are absolutely free which make the LAMP solution the
most cost-effecive solution for individuals, universities and
businesses. Web devlopers wishing to acquire valuable scripting
skills can do so for free. On top of that, LAMP is generally known
to be more secure and robust than other solutions (less crashing,
less rebooting, inherent UNIX security). On top of that, LAMP has
one of the largest, most active, most dedicated communities on the
Web. PHP and the LAMP solution was clearly the best choice for me
and I was excited.”
“However, if you are a Windows user, learning Linux is like
being parachuted into Italy without knowing Italian. You will be
hopelessly and thoroughly lost at the UNIX prompt. Although my
repeated forays into the Linux world have enabled me to install
Suse Linux 6.4, set up the X Window System and even use the vi
editor, I still lack so much basic knowledge of Linux that even the
simplest things such as unpacking files or installing software
bring me to a paralyzing stop. So even if you are the type of
Windows user who can buy a $50 computer book on almost any
application and become an expert in it by the end of the week,
Linux is not something you are going to learn in a week, or a month
or even a year without an inordinate investment of time, effort,
paradigm shifting and lots of long, frustrating nights. Hence LAMP
is not an option for the casual Windows user wanting to learn PHP
scripting.”