June Third Thursday Drupal Meetup - Command Line and Drush

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scottrouse's picture
Start: 
2011-06-16 16:00 - 18:30 America/Denver
Organizers: 
Event type: 
User group meeting

Our regularly-scheduled "Third Thursday" Drupal Meetup will be held on Thursday, June 16 from 4:00-6:30 pm at Ruby's Inn and Convention Center. Inspired by some recent chatter in our group, we'll be discussing the "Command Line." Topics include:

  • It's just a computer: An Introduction to the Command Line
  • Tools and Utilities for getting to the Command Line
  • Basic Linux Commands for Web Servers
  • Using Drush to manage your Drupal site via the Command Line
  • This presentation is geared towards folks who have little to no experience with SSH or other command line utilities. If you're a Linux sysadmin, you should come, too, and teach us some tricks between lessons!

    What to Bring
    If you'd like to follow along, you'll need your laptop and a program on which you can use SSH to access a web server. If you have a Mac or Linux machine, you're all set. If you're using Windows, try downloading and installing PuTTY before you get to the meetup to help keep us on track.

    If you don't have access to a web server via SSH, I'll provide one for testing.

    Meetup Details
    Thursday, June 16
    4:00 to 6:30 pm
    Ruby's Inn and Convention Center
    4825 North Reserve
    Missoula, MT 59808 map
    Phone: (406) 721-0990

    Comments

    An interesting video on Drush

    opegasus's picture

    that I just watched in preparation for our meetup. I will say that I don't know command line and am attempting VMWare and Linux to at least get my feet wet.

    So even though I am not a command line Ninja I still got a lot on what Drush can do by watching this, if nothing else. I hope others in my boat will as well.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMKm8s25wSo

    laken's picture

    For those running Windows like Christopher, you'll need to install some extra software to get access to a Linux or linux-like command line. As Christopher mentions, one way to do it is to run real Linux 'virtualized' in your windows environment. You can download VirtualBox (free virtualization manager) – or use paid options like VMWare – and then download any of the dozens (hundreds?) of linux flavors, and install that in VirtualBox.

    However, this requires quite a bit of time investment, only works well on pretty recent hardware, and takes up a lot of RAM (you should have at least 4GB to run Linux on Windows).

    If your hardware is older or you just want to save some time, there's an alternative: Windows software that 'emulates' a Linux command line. The granddaddy of these is Cygwin, which I used back in the day, but apparently there are more modern alternatives available now like Gow. I'm sure there are others.

    These are lightweight downloads that install software on your Windows machine which work just like a GNU/Linux command line, with many of the GNU/Linux commands available. So you'll have a command window, SSH, etc. right in Windows, without the bloat or hassle of trying to install Linux. If all you need is a Linux command line with SSH, this is the easiest way to get it on Windows. (If all you need is SSH period, than puTTY may be your best bet.)

    N.B. Apparently Drush works only somewhat on Windows, so even if you install Cygwin, Gow, or something similar Drush won't do everything it does on Linux/Unix/OS X. But you can still use these to get SSH installed and connect to a Linux server remotely, where Drush will work fine.

    Quickstart

    scottrouse's picture

    For ease of development, it's hard to beat Quickstart. Quickstart is a Linux virtual machine that is fully-loaded for rock star Drupal development. As Andy mentioned above, VirtualBox can be installed on Windows (or Mac or whatever) allowing you run another operating system safely contained within your primary operating system. To use Quickstart, you install VirtualBox and import the Quickstart "machine" into VirtualBox. When you start your new "system" up, you'll have a perfectly-configured, finely-tuned Ubuntu installation ripe for local Drupal development. "It just works."

    I'll demonstrate some of my favorite features of this system at our upcoming meetup, including the ability to create a ready-to-use development site with one short Drush command (database, Drupal core, Apache configuration, and all).

    As Andy has said, and I mentioned in the original announcement, please have some SSH-capable app installed on your machine when you come to the meetup. For Windows, PuTTY will work fine. I'll provide a SSH host to which you may connect for class examples.

    Yeah I'd say SKIP VMWare/Linux...

    opegasus's picture

    and go with Andy or Scott's recommendations. I spent over a day with my laptop running as tandem (while working on my home unit) attempting to get VMWare and Linux kernels to play nice on my ailing laptop. As Andy pointed out, old hardware and under 4gb of RAM is asking for a poke in the eye repeatedly.

    Alas that tip/insight came after I was well into the Linux instal. So I guess a wipe and a redo with VB and Ubuntu is next for grins and giggles.

    Thanks for the awesome tips guys!

    Virtual Box on a flash drive?

    trista13's picture

    I've heard you can run Linux from a flash drive. Have any of you done this?

    It's True

    scottrouse's picture

    It's true. You can run Linux from a flash/thumb drive. I'm a fan of Ubuntu. Check out http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download for information on downloading and installing it to a thumb drive for a "test drive."

    Another Linux distribution that is very lightweight is Bodhi Linux. Christopher, that's something you could probably run on your machine.

    So are you suggesting

    opegasus's picture

    that I skip VB and Ubuntu?

    Not necessarily

    scottrouse's picture

    For the upcoming Meetup, you'll be able to participate as long as you have an SSH client installed (try PuTTY). For future development, however, it may be worth your while to try running Ubuntu from a thumb drive or using Virtual Box.

    Merci!

    opegasus's picture

    Merci!

    Older processors and virtualization

    laken's picture

    Christopher, if I recall you are on an older laptop from the 2000 era. Newer CPU chips have hardware features that make them much better at running virtualized environments like VMWare, VirtualBox, Parallels, etc. Older chips lack these features and, though they may run VMs, will do it at a performance penalty. Add to that the lack of RAM and – as you said above – trying to get a virtual environment running on such a machine is asking for a bag of hurt. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization for details)

    Conversely, Linux is well-known for wringing lots of performance out of older hardware – if you run it natively (non-virtualized). So - if your lappy can boot from an external hard drive or thumb drive (you'll need to check if it can), you can install Linux to one of those, and boot natively into Linux, and it should run well. Since it's a native boot, you won't have access to Windows when you're running Linux, but many would say that's a feature, not a problem ;-)

    Even if you can't boot from a USB stick, most linux distros these days have a 'Live CD' which you can boot from directly to try out the OS.

    Ubuntu is popular and great, but is probably pretty large and heavyweight, and may not be the best choice for an older, slower, RAM-constrained system. There are Linux distributions designed specifically to be lightweight and run well on older hardware. It looks like http://www.bodhilinux.com that Scott mentioned is one of those – it's based on Ubuntu (which is great for compatibility and the 1,000's of tutorials out there that assume Ubuntu) but has put the OS on a diet, and is targeted at older, low-spec machines. I'm sure there are lots of other options for a slimmed-down Linux, but Bodhi seems like a really good bet.

    Bodhi links:

    Bodhi

    scottrouse's picture

    I've got Bodhi running on an old desktop box that was crippled by Windows XP. It's quite speedy with Bodhi. highly recommend

    Meaning of 'bodhi'

    laken's picture

    As a student of the Buddha I can't help mentioning that the word 'bodhi' means 'awakening' or 'enlightenment' in the Pali and Sanskrit languages. In fact, it's the root of the word Buddha, which means 'one who is awake'.

    They probably called it that because it uses the Enlightenment window manager software (which is one of its main differences with Ubuntu).

    But who knows? Maybe if you run Bodhi linux you can get a head-start on removing wrong perceptions, transcending the path of suffering, and transforming suffering into happiness. ;-)

    Lack of Windows = Happiness

    scottrouse's picture

    I'm not a student of Buddha, but I can tell you that leaving Windows for anything else certainly has to be an important step in transforming suffering into happiness.

    Okay, okay I get

    opegasus's picture

    the point. I am going home after this Jelly meet, wipe all my systems to include any software and created data and start completely from scratch. Who needs all that crap I have collected over the years any ole way?

    Love all you 'enlightened' beings who sit on mountain tops..........

    Innocence Plea

    scottrouse's picture

    For the record, I'm just giving everyone a hard time about the Windows thing. Serious development can, without question, be accomplished on a Windows machine.

    Please don't endanger your system or its files on my behalf. Converting your machine completely to Linux doesn't come without a price. No Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, for example.

    Personally I am inclined to agree with you

    opegasus's picture

    about converting. Unfortunately I am soooo heavily invested in MS crap that a switch (even with it's trade offs) is financially and time-wise unattainable from where I sit. BUT, yes the call to Linux has been a low deafening rumble in my ears for years

    What does tick me off, (venting here, be forewarned) is the context most geeks take in assuming everyone knows the 50-60 steps needed to get to the answer that is given. Bluntly put, if I knew the x-odd steps to get to how to burn-mount-extract-divide by 3 penguins to use the software (as described above), frankly I would personally already have been a super geek and Linux user by then.

    I was blessed to have a CoWorking buddy stop by who explained the ISO thingy and he even sent me a link to Wubi so I can actually install a program that auto installs a bootable booting system into which one can install Ubuntu (or whatever flavor Linux one desires) and skip virtual stuff that would eat my Fred Flintstone laptop for lunch.

    So (once complete) I can simply choose (at bootup) Windows ( I agree, YUCK!) or Linux and not have to worry that both have to run concurrently while forcing my CPU and Ram to melt in the process.

    Okay you can hate me for this post, cut me off the Drupal thingy and I will even relinquish my poster child status but I felt compelled to say this. So I beg of you folks to stop and think of us users who really deeply desire to learn but we are starting from 'A' and not 'Q'.

    Then again, it may just be me and everyone else gets all this but I spent an hour or so reading documentation, watching tutorials and either they weren't linked to the missing bits or they too assumed the 'student' knew XYZ

    If nothing else.............thanks for listening. You guys 98% of the time do an incredible job so I guess this was a glitch.

    I can tell you're frustrated…

    laken's picture

    …but it's not clear to me from your post which of the many suggestions in this thread you were trying to follow, and which steps you got hung up on. Nothing wrong with venting, but I'm only able to help if you say something like: "Thanks for the suggestion to try installing Bodhi Linux on a USB stick. I went to (some page, downloaded the installer, followed the install instructions on (this page), but on step X I got error Y when I tried to do Z. I googled error message text 'blah blah' and tried the fix on (this page), but the system still says (yadda yadda) when I try to boot. Any help you could provide would be appreciated."

    or: "I'd like to try your suggestion (blah) but the steps you gave are too sketchy for me to follow. I see I can download thingybob (here) but what do I do next?"

    I feel I can speak for Scott and myself when I say we never intentionally try to frustrate people by providing elite-level suggestions, or make ourselves feel superior (or others inferior) by (intentionally) teasing them with scraps of knowledge that lead to low self-esteem. A lot of this stuff is hard and complicated and I know how frustrating it can be.

    Sometimes people need more help than can be provided in a thread like this. At those times I suggest the following:

    • IRC can at times be a good way to get real-time help. We talked about this in our Drupal class. IRC is the orignal internet text-chat protocol, and there are 1000's of IRC 'channels' (chat-rooms) on every geek topic imaginable.
    • There are several IRC channels for Drupal and tons for linux. You may be able to get help on these channels.
    • Go here to get started using IRC for Drupal: http://drupal.org/irc
    • The main ubuntu support channel is #ubuntu, and I just noticed there is a #ubuntu-montana as well! (see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IRC/Guidelines and https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IRC/ChannelList)
    • We also have an IRC channel for Montana Programmers: #mtprogrammers – it's been little-used lately, but we could make an effort to get people in there.

    Perhaps we can talk about how to get started with IRC at an upcoming meetup.

    I'm glad your jelly friend was able to give you some help, I didn't know about WUBI, sounds great. Last point is not to be afraid to ask 'hey I'm really banging my head against could we find 30 minutes to sit down for some help?'

    Point taken...

    opegasus's picture

    ...thanks. No I don't feel inferior, no I didn't get the 'Superior' treatment feeling from anyone. Yes, you guys do do a lot to help, of that there is no doubt. Unfortunately I have been attempting to get up to speed on 7 different thiniges in the web world, get ready for this terrific seminar (Drupal/Drush) learn any command lines at all, and also working on mounting a photo exhibit for 7 photographers all at the same time.

    Yes, this is MY frustration, and no it is not yours.

    Yes, it is my crap laptop and no, it isn't your fault or problem. Yes, you are doing the best you can to help the weakest link here and I am grateful as I have repeatedly shown you guys.

    I started with VMWare, then 2 attempts with 2 different Linux releases with 2 failures on the repository updater's with 'apparent' bugs, wiped the install 2 times, went with Virtual Box, that was then interrupted by the Bhodi/Buddha thingy and I couldn't find any intelligent documentation that showed a first time person what to do to get it connected to actually work.

    So yeah, frustrated is a word one could use to describe my space.

    I really don't have the time to document all the errors, what is holding up what and especially if I have no clue as to what the error is or that there is a next step when all of a sudden the documentation stops at a cliff and then picks up across the grand canyon on the other side...

    Anyway, yes I will take the time to document the errors, spell out the steps when next I post. That certainly is a fair request.

    I will investigate IRC someday when I have the time to focus...

    Apologies to all....thanks for listening and your help once again.

    Cheers...

    Andy said it...

    scottrouse's picture

    Andy said it better that I could have/would have. If you look back over the thread, you'll see that I asked only for one application to be installed for the Command Line meetup (PuTTY) so you could (optionally) follow along with my lesson. The discussion evolved into other options for development in a Windows environment.

    I go out of my way to try to make sure my comments and help here (and in our meetups) isn't elitist or self-serving. If you feel otherwise, I would appreciate if you could point out specific quotes that may have triggered those feelings so I can address them or refrain from making them in the future.

    I've written and deleted the next few paragraphs a number of times...Before submitting, I've decided to censor myself, so I'll leave it what I've said.

    Again....thanks Scott...

    opegasus's picture

    ...point taken and I appreciate your comments.

    I don't recall my saying/typing a thing about elitism. I never felt ever that you nor Andy ever came from that context, ever.

    I did explode over the number of posts about different suggestions and perhaps I have some sort of chemical imbalance happening and bit off more than I can chew. Let this issue be my burden to clear up, please.

    It clearly is my misunderstanding of the instructions given.

    So again I will once again apologize for any hurt feelings or any misunderstandings in the community.

    I don't recall my

    scottrouse's picture

    I don't recall my saying/typing a thing about elitism

    =

    What does tick me off... ...is the context most geeks take in assuming everyone knows the 50-60 steps needed to get to the answer that is given. Bluntly put, if I knew the x-odd steps to get to how to burn-mount-extract-divide by 3 penguins to use the software... ...frankly I would personally already have been a super geek and Linux user by then.

    I beg of you folks to stop and think of us users who really deeply desire to learn but we are starting from 'A' and not 'Q'.

    (emphasis is mine)


    Also, this has been an extremely active thread. 95% of it (Windows-hating jokes excluded) has simply been suggestions and offers for help. None of it was intended to be requirements for you (or any one else) to do anything specific (install an operating system, etc). Just because Andy or I mention a neat feature or tool or operating system or module doesn't imply that everyone should immediately drop what they're doing and commence installing. If it's confusing or above your head and you want to get involved, simply speak up, as Andy mentioned, and one of us will find a time to try to help.

    This.

    laken's picture

    This.

    Thanks!!

    trista13's picture

    Thanks Scott for the link here. I ordered a new flashdrive (can't believe how freaking cheap they are getting... shot out to newegg.com). Can't wait to get it all set up and ready for the meet up! Your help has been invaluable and I can't believe what I am now able to accomplish (with a little assistance!). I've been wanting to try out Ubuntu for awhile, but just needed a bit of encouragement.

    Yay

    scottrouse's picture

    Glad to hear it, Trista.

    Cool...........

    opegasus's picture

    .............thanks guys!

    Actually 1/2 way through VB and Quickstart........what the heck. :-D

    Western Montana

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