Latest News from Colin Mattoon

How to upgrade Nola, the free accounting package for Linux

Mon, 06 May 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Upgrading our LAMP application, Nola, proves little more difficult than changing a light bulb. Also: things our author did that you'll want to avoid! (3,200 words)

How to install Nola, the free accounting package for Linux

Mon, 08 Apr 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Installing a full-function, multi-user, open-source business accounting package for Linux requires Apache, MySQL, Nola, and precious little hardware. Part 15 in our 'Linux for Peanuts' series. (4,900 words)

Laying a foundation for free Linux accounting

Mon, 11 Mar 2002 00:00:00 EST

A minimalist Red Hat 7.2 server installation provides a standardized platform to build Nola and the rationale behind our selection of this free accounting software revealed. Part 14 in our 'Linux for Peanuts' series. (6,300 words)

Cheap & easy business accounting with Linux

Mon, 25 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

In part 13 of the Cheap and Easy Linux Network for Peanuts, we discuss the required components needed to install Nola, the GPL licensed, open-source, Linux-based accounting system. (4,050 words)

The complete messaging gateway

Tue, 29 Jan 2002 00:00:00 EST

This snake is quick, but it doesn't bite! The Boa Web server teams up with cgiemail as we apply the final additions to our text-messaging gateway. (1,900 words)

Adding Sendmail to a text messaging gateway

Wed, 23 Jan 2002 00:00:00 EST

Fear no evil, for the Sendmail daemon proves devilishly easy to add to our Cheap and Easy Text Messaging Gateway. Plus, an egregious security oversight corrected, and a new safety net for Slackware users. (2,000 words)

Installing a text-messaging gateway on Debian

Thu, 17 Jan 2002 00:00:00 EST

Adding features to a Linux Network for Peanuts is a piece of cake, but we want to make sure we aren't using stale ingredients! Don't let anyone tell you Debian is outdated. Debian isn't old, it's refreshed with Apt. (1,900 words)

Configuring a text-messaging gateway with Linux

Tue, 11 Dec 2001 00:00:00 EST

You don't need to spend $1,000 to get a quick, reliable, easy-to-use system that sends text messages to pagers and PCS cell phones. All you need is an old PC, Linux, free software, and a dusty old modem. (3,200 words)

Finishing an installation of Debian over a network

Wed, 21 Nov 2001 00:00:00 EST

Details on configuring XFree86 with xf86config. Also, how to create a Web server that handles text communications from desktop machines to digital cell phones, PCS phones, and alpha pagers. (3,000 words)

How to Install Debian over a Network

Tue, 13 Nov 2001 00:00:00 EST

Debian has a reputation for being difficult to install. Relax, it just takes a little time to reveal Debian's true nature: It's a good, solid, easy-to-use distribution that doesn't break down under the weight of automation. (4,200 words)

How to install Red Hat over a network

Tue, 30 Oct 2001 00:00:00 EST

Nitty-gritty detail on installing the newest versions of Slackware and Red Hat remotely. Plus, how to configure the firewall in the latest Red Hat distribution & handling humongous software suites. (5,000 words)

How to install Linux over a network

Wed, 17 Oct 2001 00:00:00 EDT

Network installation of Linux doesn't differ greatly from a standard installation that uses a local CD-ROM, and you will find that it meets our twin criteria of Cheap and Easy. Cheap, because it eliminates redundant hardware. As for Easy, well, keep reading and find out for yourself. (3,700 words)

How to create a Linux-based network of computers for peanuts (part 4)

Mon, 01 Oct 2001 00:00:00 EDT

In this series, we show how little you need to spend to outfit your organization -- big or small -- with hardware some might consider worthless, while giving away nothing in utility, speed, reliability, ease of administration or use. Sound impossible? It's not! (3,100 words)

How to create a Linux-based network of computers for peanuts (part 3)

Thu, 20 Sep 2001 00:00:00 EDT

How to create a Linux-based network of computers for peanuts (part 2)

Thu, 06 Sep 2001 00:00:00 EDT

How to create a Linux-based network of computers for peanuts

Thu, 23 Aug 2001 00:00:00 EDT

In this series, I'll show how little you need to spend to outfit your organization -- big or small -- with hardware some might consider worthless, while giving away nothing in utility, speed, reliability, ease of administration or use. Sound impossible? It's not! (1,400 words)