Sean Delaney

Designed for professional web developers and programmers, MAMP allows you to install Apache Web Server, PHP and MySQL with a few clicks under Mac OS X!

It comes in two versions: Pro or free edition. If you use the free version of MAMP this is how you set up name based virtual hosts:

Step 1) Make an entry in the hosts file. In /private/etc/hosts add a line for each virtual host like:

# # Host Database # # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry. # 127.0.0.1 localhost localhost2 localhost3 255.255.255.255 broadcasthost ::1 localhost

You can edit the host file with pico:

1. Open the terminal
2. Type: sudo pico /etc/hosts
3. Type your password
4. Edit the hosts file like above
5. press Control-O and then Return to save the changes
6. press Control-X to exit pico

Step 2) Make 2 new directories in /Applications/MAMP eg. “htdocs2″ and “htdocs3″

Step 3) Edit the httpd.conf file which is located at /MAMP/Applications/conf/apache/httpd.conf

You can do this with any text editor you like.

Step 4) Change the end of the httpd.conf file like this:

# # Use name-based virtual hosting. # NameVirtualHost *

#
# VirtualHost example:
# Almost any Apache directive may go into a VirtualHost container.
# The first VirtualHost section is used for requests without a known
# server name.
#

DocumentRoot “/Applications/MAMP/htdocs”
ServerName localhost

DocumentRoot “/Applications/MAMP/htdocs2″
ServerName localhost2

DocumentRoot “/Applications/MAMP/htdocs3″
ServerName localhost3

Step 5) Restart MAMP and thats it, your Done!

You can access the hosts now with:

http://localhost/
http://localhost2/
http://localhost3/

“Status updates on sites such as Facebook, Yammer, Twitter and Friendfeed are a new form of communication”

I have to agree with this statement from the BBC Technology website.  I’ve noticed that i’m in more contact with my fellow freelancers, designers, developers and programmers et al through social networking websites than by email.  I’ve even had new clients contact me through Twitter instead of my contact page on seandelaney.co.uk.

Social Networking sites have become the “real time” communication protocol.

On March 6th 2009 I went to the Future of Web Apps in Dublin!  It was held at the Liberty Hall in Dublin city centre.

FOWA’s has never came to Ireland before so this was the first event of its kind.  There was a good line-up of talented and expert speakers to entertain the crowd:

• Ryan Carson from Carsonified
• Blaine Cooke ex Twitter & Yahoo!  Brickhouse
• David Heinemeier Hansson from 37 signals & Ruby on Rails
• Simon Willison, co-creator of the Django web framework
• Mike Butcher from TechCrunch UK

I met some really inspiring people such as Lee Munroe and got to see some great talks.  The highlight of the day for me was Simon Willison who gave a very entertaining, scary and educational talk about website security issues and kinda opened my eyes to a few things.

The biggest disappointment with the event was the tiny social spaces available and complete lack of free refreshments.   This meant that everyone disbanded during the breaks and unless you already knew people there were very very limited networking opportunities which wasnt good for my freelance career and making new friends, although I did hand out a few business cards!

However, in true FOWA style the event was followed by a few drinks and an after party!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kncmRMEakPU

I’m looking forward to FOWA returning next year.