I have been looking through the documentation and I cannot see any current information about how to install webwork on a Mac server. There is some old documentation for OS X 10.4 and below, but nothing seems current.
Is anyone running webwork on a mac server at their school? I would like to get some instructions. I do not mind installing from source, but there aren't any clear instructions that I can find. I would also like to avoid using fink or macports if possible. I don't mind installing extra packages from source.
Thank you in advance for your replies.
I'm not sure where to start with this. There are two ways you can go,
assuming you are working with Snow Leopard. In either case, you need to
be familiar with UNIX and running commands in a terminal. If you
have some experience as a sysadmin, so much the better.
We don't run WeBWorK from a Mac server at my location, but I
have installed local versions on several Macs, using method 2 below.
It isn't that hard, but does take some experience.
1. Try to use the versions of Apache and Perl that come with 10.6.
The mod_perl extension is included, but would have to be
activated in the config file. Most of the required Perl modules
seem to be there, but the directions in the WW 2.4 installation
manual tell you how to check for missing ones. These could be
installed, presumably, using the cpan command.
The main things you would have to install, unless I missed something,
are mySQL and LaTeX and friends. LaTeX is easy - just install MacTeX.
MySQL would be harder. I've used MacPorts for this and recommend it.
Install the WeBWorK files in the /Library/WebServer/Documents
directory, following the directions in the 2.4 installation manual. You
will have to configure Apache, but again just follow the 2.4 installation
manual.
2. Use MacPorts to install Apache, Perl, etc. Once you have, the
configuration steps are pretty much the same as for any UNIX
or Linux machine.
I used method 2 mainly because I wanted to have control over what
was installed and I didn't want an OS X upgrade stepping on my installation.
There are some other advantages to using MacPorts, including the
creation of LaunchAgents that will start mysqld and Apache up
automatically at boot time.
Using either method there are some quirks that I discovered. If you
are really interested, send me an email and I'll try to help.
Bill Farr
assuming you are working with Snow Leopard. In either case, you need to
be familiar with UNIX and running commands in a terminal. If you
have some experience as a sysadmin, so much the better.
We don't run WeBWorK from a Mac server at my location, but I
have installed local versions on several Macs, using method 2 below.
It isn't that hard, but does take some experience.
1. Try to use the versions of Apache and Perl that come with 10.6.
The mod_perl extension is included, but would have to be
activated in the config file. Most of the required Perl modules
seem to be there, but the directions in the WW 2.4 installation
manual tell you how to check for missing ones. These could be
installed, presumably, using the cpan command.
The main things you would have to install, unless I missed something,
are mySQL and LaTeX and friends. LaTeX is easy - just install MacTeX.
MySQL would be harder. I've used MacPorts for this and recommend it.
Install the WeBWorK files in the /Library/WebServer/Documents
directory, following the directions in the 2.4 installation manual. You
will have to configure Apache, but again just follow the 2.4 installation
manual.
2. Use MacPorts to install Apache, Perl, etc. Once you have, the
configuration steps are pretty much the same as for any UNIX
or Linux machine.
I used method 2 mainly because I wanted to have control over what
was installed and I didn't want an OS X upgrade stepping on my installation.
There are some other advantages to using MacPorts, including the
creation of LaunchAgents that will start mysqld and Apache up
automatically at boot time.
Using either method there are some quirks that I discovered. If you
are really interested, send me an email and I'll try to help.
Bill Farr
I talked to a WeBWorK person at Mathfest a few days ago and was told that there is a new installer for mac server but can't seem to find it. Appreciate help in locating it. Thanks.
--Hieu Nguyen
--Hieu Nguyen