How to install Apache, PHP, MySQL and Bluefish on Linux Mint.

by Joseph Roten

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Would you like to learn Apache, PHP, or MySQL, but don't want to invest in a web server?

Would you like to learn html?

Would you like a very friendly development environment for creating websites?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then read on; this blog entry is for you.

In this blog entry, I will be explaining how to install Apache, PHP, and MySQL on your Linux Mint computer (workstation or laptop), how to set it up, and get you started on the road to using it as a website development platform and learning tool.

So, what exactly are Apache, PHP, and MySQL?

Here is a very short, and very simplified answer to the question.

Apache is a software package that allows an Internet server to 'serve up' web pages. When you use your web browser on your computer to access a web site, it is an Apache server some where on the Internet that sends the text and images to your computer.

PHP is a scripting language that runs on top of Apache. It allows you to add 'logic' to your web page. If a web page does anything other than just shows text and pictures, chances are good that it's PHP doing the work.

MySQL is a database package. If you buy something on-line, looks up a street address, sign up as a new user on a website, or so forth, it's most likely that this information is being stored in a MySQL database.

These 3 packages combined, plus Linux, create what is commonly called a LAMP server; Linux, Apache, MySQL, Php. LAMP servers are the heart and sole of the Internet. The vast majority of Internet web sites and services run on such servers.

This blog entry describes how to install Apache, PHP, and MySQL on your Linux Mint laptop/workstation. Basically, creating your own private LAMP server. Since it's YOUR server, you are the admin and user, and you can do pretty much what you please with it.

Please note that we are NOT taking anything away from the way your computer works. You will still be able to use it to surf the Internet, do email, write documents, and anything else that you are currently using your computer for. We will simply be adding some really cool abilities to your computer.

This blog entry will also describe how to install a package called Bluefish. For those of you who might not have ever heard if it, Bluefish is a very simply text editor that makes writing html, PHP and Javascript code, very easy. It has some very nice functions that makes developing web pages very simple and fast, and it's very easy to learn.

In order to do the install described in this blog post, you will need a working Internet connection. After everything has been installed and configured, you can then use your LAMP server without having to be connected to the Internet. Since both the Server and Client (web browser) will be running on the same physical hardware, you won't need the Internet connection to use it.

IMPORTANT: You will also need a pen and paper to take notes and record passwords. If you don't have such, this is a good point to stop and get it.

Step 1. Installing the software

To do the install, open a terminal window (click on 'Menu' at the bottom of the screen, then on 'Terminal'), and enter each of these commands one at a time. You will need to wait for each command to complete before entering the next. You will be prompted to create a new password for the MySQL root account, and the PHP Admin account. Be sure to record these on your paper and keep this info in a safe place. This install processes should take you about 10 minutes depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

sudo apt-get update

< enter your system password when prompted >

sudo apt-get install apache2 -y

sudo apt-get install php5 libapache2-mod-php5 -y

sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

sudo apt-get install mysql-server -y

sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-auth-mysql php5-mysql phpmyadmin -y

sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

sudo apt-get install bluefish -y

sudo chmod -R 777 /var/www

echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" > /var/www/html/testphp.php

Step 2. Setting up your MySQL server

IMPORTANT: For safety reasons, you should only use the MySQL root account for creating new databases and users. Never use your root account for daily tasks, it's just too easy to accidentally do something damaging.

So, our next step is to use the MySQL root account to create a new database called 'sandbox', a new user called 'user1', and grant user 'user1' full rights to database 'sandbox'. After this is done, you can then safely use the user1 account to learn and work with MySQL.

Using the same terminal window you used to install the software, enter this command:

mysql -u root -p

Enter your MySQL root password when prompted. This is the password you created when you installed the MySQL server.

You should now see a prompt that looks like this:

MySQL>

If you see this prompt, you are successfully logged into your MySQL server as 'root'.

Now, cut and past this text into your terminal window. Note that MySQL commands always end with a semi-coluon. The 'GRANT ALL' command shown bellow is one long command on several lines. It's not until it sees the ';' that it actually does anything.

CREATE DATABASE sandbox;

USE sandbox;

CREATE USER 'user1'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'xxx123';

GRANT ALL ON sandbox.* TO 'user1'@'localhost'

    WITH MAX_QUERIES_PER_HOUR 320

    MAX_UPDATES_PER_HOUR 310

    MAX_CONNECTIONS_PER_HOUR 350

    MAX_USER_CONNECTIONS 6;

SET max_error_count = 65530;

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Next, you will want to set up the password for the user1 account. Enter this command at the MySQL> prompt, replacing the word 'yourpassword' with the password you want for this account. Be sure to also record this password on your paper so you won't forget it.

SET PASSWORD FOR 'user1'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('yourpassword');

And finally, enter the word 'EXIT' to sign out of the MySQL root account.

Step 3. Testing everything.

We are now ready to test.

Using your web browser on your computer (Chrome, FireFox, Opera, or other) bring up each of these web pages. Note that these pages are ON YOUR OWN HARDDRIVE, and not on the Internet. Your web browser will see your computer as if it was an Internet web host server, by the name of 'localhost'.

Pertly cool!

If you get a 404 error on any of these, something went wrong with the install, and you should try again.

http://localhost/index.html

http://localhost/testphp.php

http://localhost/phpmyadmin

To test the Bluefish editor, enter this command into the terminal window. You should see the contents of the index.html file. To leave Bluefish, just do a file/quit like any other application.

bluefish /var/www/html/index.html

To test MySQL, enter the following commands in the terminal window.

mysql -u user1 -p

< enter your user1 password when prompted >

use sandbox;

status;

exit

Step 4 (optional). Installing Wordpress

If you are a Wordpress user, or would like to learn Wordpress, now would be a good time to install it as well. There is an extremely good article on how to do this at http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/828.

Step 5. A few things you should know.

You can create new html or PHP documents (web pages) and save them into the folder /var/www/html    Any files saved into this folder will be visible to your web browser as http:\\localhost\filename

For example: If you create a file called /var/www/html/aboutme.html you will be able to see it from your web browser as http:\\localhost\aboutme.html

Your web browser will be able to access files in your /var/www/html folder even if your computer does not have an active Internet connection. So you can use the Bluefish editor to create new html or php documents, any ware, any time, and test them, regardless if you have an Internet connection or not.

The Bluefish editor can be used to create or change html or PHP files. Just remember to save them into the folder /var/www/html so that your browser can see them. It's a fairly simple and straight forward editor, and most users will be able to use it right from the start. But if you feel that you really need to see the documentation, it can be found at: http://bfwiki.tellefsen.net/index.php/Manual_2_ToC

Most Internet web hosting providers (like FatCow, HostGator, and others) have a function in their file manager that will allow you to upload your html and PHP files from your computer to your web account. So after you have your web page looking the way you want it on your computer, you can then move it into 'production' so that the whole world can see it.

You might want to think about creating a new folder in your home folder called something like 'notebook', and downloading any manuals and documentation about web page development to that folder. That way, you can have all your documentation and notes available even if your laptop does not have an Internet connection. A few documents you might want to consider are in the links at the bottom of this blog entry.

IMPORTATN..IMPORTATN..IMPORTATN:

Always remember to make backup copies of ANYTHING you write (including notes, scripts, and web pages), to an external hard drive or USB thumb drive. I suggest you make this a daily 'end of the day' ritual.

Always remember that your hard drive, especially in a laptop that you carry around with you and is subject to bumps and vibrations, could fail AT ANY TIME!!

You should keep your backup external hard drive or USB thumb drive in a safe place, like the top shelf of a closet or behind a book on your book shelf. 

Please DON'T carry your backup device around with you in a backpack. If you feel that you really need to carry your backup device with you, I suggest you have a second, or maybe even a third backup device for that purpose. Thumb drives don't cost that much, and you can NEVER have too many backup copies.

A few words about PHP and Javascript:

Javascript, like PHP, is a scripting language that allows your web pages to do stuff other than just display text and images. A great many web pages use Javascript to display side shows, videos, run user login scripts, games, and a great many others things.

You may have notices that I have not said anything about installing Javascript yet. The reason why is...well...there is nothing that you need to install. The Bluefish editor will allow you to write your scripts, and everything you need to run them is already installed.

A script written in PHP runs (executes) on the the LAMP server, and only passes the output to the client computer. If your security is set up right, the end user CAN'T see your PHP script. So any IDs, passwords, or database scripts inside your PHP are secure (the user can't see them). This makes PHP an excellent language for doing anything for a business, working with money, or working with a user's personal information.

A script written in Javascript is first downloaded from the LAMP server to the client computer, and then runs (executes) on the client computer. A savy computer user will be able to view your Javascript, along with any IDs and passwords you may have in it. This makes Javascript very un-secure as compared to PHP. However, Javascript tends to be much faster than PHP, and has many more capabilities. Javascript is an excellent choice if speed, and NOT security is what you are looking for.

So...which one to use for your website?

BOTH!
There is no reason why a web page can't use a mix of PHP and Javascript. In fact many do just that. So...I would recommend that the student learn, and use, BOTH PHP and Javascript.

Step 6. Where to go from here.

Now that you have a development environment installed and running, it's time to start learning and doing. I recommend the following websites to learn more. I will also be writing additional blog posts on these subjects.

HTML5 Tutorials at W3Schools:

http://www.w3schools.com/html/

PHP5 Tutorials at W3Schools:

http://www.w3schools.com/php/

Javascript Tutorial at W3Schools:

http://www.w3schools.com/js/

Using and configuring the Apache web server (YouTube video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZioHruINOA

MySQL Tutorials:

http://www.tutorialspoint.com/mysql/

Introduction to Bluefish by Jon Morin:

http://webdesign.about.com/od/bluefish/ss/bluefish-introduction.htm

How To Build a Website: HTML, CSS and HTML Editors, By Michael Rohde

http://www.htmlgoodies.com/tutorials/getting_started/article.php/3863271

Debian GNU/Linux installation notes for PHP

http://php.net/manual/en/install.unix.debian.php

Interpreted Languages: JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby (Sheet One)

http://hyperpolyglot.org/scripting

The PHP Security Manual

http://php.net/manual/en/security.php

The PHP Security Cheat Sheet

https://www.owasp.org/index.php/PHP_Security_Cheat_Sheet

That's it for this time. So long for now, and good luck.

Joe.

Last updated 02/21/2015.

How to sync files between multiple computers (made simple)

Do you have more than one computer and wish your files could 'magically' travel between them.

Or do you need to share files between co-workers and clients, without having to attach them to emails?

This blog entry explains two simple ways to accomplish this.


This blog post is written with a Linux Mint user in mind, but the concept of syncing files between computers in not limited to just Linux Mint. It is very easy to sync files between two Linux computers, and  Windows computers, and Apple, and so forth. 

So, your are probably asking 'what is this file syncing stuff, and how can I use it?'.

The 'What is it' answer is
File Syncing can allow you to add, delete, change, rename, or move a file in a special folder on one computer, and that change is also made, automatically, in the corresponding folder in all your computers that access that sync. So if you change a file on your home computer, then your changes will also be saved on your offices computer, and your laptop, and any other computer that shares that sync.

As for the 'how can I use it' part;
let me give you 3 made-up examples. These may give you some ideals as to how file syncing can work for you.

Example 1:
In  this make believe example; John is a contract worker for ABC home improvements. He goes to a work site, takes pictures of the project with his cell phone, and takes notes using a pen and paper. Before he leaves the site, he also takes a picture of his notes. Next, he goes to a nearby cafe for lunch, and to use their free WiFi connection. He only has to make the connection to the Internet, the software agent on his cell phone will take care of the rest.

The pictures are automatically copied to folders on both the offices receptionist's PC (running Linux Mint), and to the Big Boss's PC (running Windows) at his house.

The receptionist looks at the picture of John's notes, type them into a LibreOffice document, and save the document back into that same folder.

At the same time, the Big Boss is reviewing the pictures, creates a word document granting his approval and any additional notes, and saves it back into the same folder.

John also has access to all these files, and can add new ones, but is unable to delete or modify any that already exists (security reasons).

The receptionist and Big Boss do have rights to delete and/or modify any documents or pictures.

The software agents on all 3 devices keep track of all the files, and copy them to to the folders on each.

This also has the added benefit of the data being on multiple computers at different locations, in case one should fail to boot, or is stolen, or the building burns to the ground, etc.

In this case, there is a copy of the folder in 'the cloud', that has a one-to-many relationship to both computers, and John's cell phone. Additional computers and cell phones can easily be added to this.

Example 2:
Mary has a small business in which she assist others with writing books. She currently has 7 clients, and a separate folder for each on her hard drive. Each client has a identical folder on their own computer. Mary is using Linux Mint. Some clients use Linux, others use Windows, and one uses a Mac. Any files added, changed, renamed, moved, or deleted in any of these folders, either by Mary or her client, is automatically changed in the other synced folder. The clients can not see the folders of other clients. Each client's folder has a one-to-one relationship with its partner on the other computer. Mary simply has 7 different software agents on her computer, keep track of 7 different one-to-one synced folders.

Example 3:
Mike is a very busy guy, and seldom has an Internet connection. He is a part-time college student, and a small business owner. He uses a Mac at home, carries a Linux Mint net-book to class and work, and sometimes uses his girlfriends Windows computer at her place. But instead of syncing all 3 by an Internet connection, Mike uses a 64 gig USB thumb drive. When he sits down at one of the computers, he inserts the thumb drive, runs a short utility to sync, and then unmount and remove the thumb drive. The thumb drive is synced to a folder called 'MikeSync' on each of the computers. At the end of his 'session' he repeats this procedure. This way, Mike is sure that he has the most recent copy of his files at the start of his session, and has all updated files at the end. He also has the added benefit of having his data at 3 different locations, just in case one should fail to work any more. This has become habit to him, and he seldom even thinks about it. In this example, the thumb drive has a one-to-many manual sync to each of the 3 computers.


There are many different ways to set up a sync like these, but in order to keep things simple, I will only explain two of the more common ways here.



DROPBOX
https://www.dropbox.com/

For the above examples 1 and 2, DROPBOX can do the job. As of the time I'm writing this blog entry, you can get a free DROPBOX account, which can hold 2 gigs of data. You can also get a 1 TB account for $10 a month, or a Business account for about $15 a month. All you need to do is create an account on their web site, and install a software agent on the computers that need to share the files. There are Dropbox agents for Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Your files are saved in a secure location in 'the cloud' and synced to any of your computers when they connect to the Internet. Any files that are added, changed, renamed, moved, or deleted on any of the computers, will be reflected on all the other computers using the account.

To create a dropbox account, go to the above web site, and follow the sing-up link.

You can download the dropbox agent from the Linux Mint repository. Install it the same way you would install any other package using the Software Manger.  Just search for 'DROPBOX'. If you are unsure how to do this, this article can help: http://www.linuceum.com/Desktop/installingAppsFromMintSC.php
You will be prompted for your dropbox account information and password. The software agent will create a Dropbox folder in your home folder, this is the folder that will be synced.
For the Windows or Mac versions of the agent, consult the Dropbox website for downloads.

You can have more than one of these agents running on your computer at any one time. This allows you to have one account for your personal use, and one for business. Or as in example 2, one for each of your clients. If your are interested in doing this, here is a very good article explaining how to do this
http://niftylettuce.com/posts/multiple-dropbox-instances/

There are also versions of the dropbox agent for I-Phone and Android. This allows you to take pictures with your cell phone, and when you get a WiFi connection, are uploaded to your dropbox account.

IMPORTANT:
if you have large files, or files that are changed often, and you have limits on Internet bandwidth or maybe a 500 gig monthly limit, dropbox can eat up a lot of your resources. If you exceed your allocated amount of data during a month, some plans charge you extra fees. Uploading and downloading large files can eat up a lot of time and money. Something to thing about.



FreeFileSync
http://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/

This would be an ideal solution for the above example number 3. This utility will allow you to sync a folder on your hard drive to a folder on a USB thumb drive. It will keep also keep track of any deleted and modified files. This would be a manual processes (not automatic like Dropbox) but if you get into a routine habit of doing this procedure at the beginning and end of each 'session' it will do the same job as Dropbox.

This software is free, but any contributions to the project would be much appropriated. It can be downloaded for free at the above website. There are versions of it for Windows, Linux, and Mac. It is fairly easy to setup and use. Documentation (if you need it) can also be found at this website.

This way of syncing files does NOT use the Internet, so it can be used during times you don't have a connection. It also avoids any data usage fees. And it is VERY fast as it will only copy files that have been added, changed, or deleted since the time of the last sync. The amount to data you can sync is limited only by the size of your hard drive and your USB thumb drive.  I recommend also getting a second USB thumb drive of the same size as a backup just in case your primary should fail (it does sometimes happens).



So, which one do I myself use?
The answer is.....Both.
I have a free Dropbox account to allow pictures from my phone to automatically wind up on my laptop and net-book.  For everything else, I use FreeFileSync and a 64 gig USB thumb drive. I sync between my net-book, laptop, and a desktop workstation. Each system has a folder called SYNC on it, which is the folder synced between systems. Anything I'm working on, I save in that folder.
I carry one USB thumb drive with me. I keep a second in a safe place as a backup copy, which I refresh about once a week.


As I said, there are two of the simpler solutions to sync files between computers, and are the most commonly used. If nether of them truly fit your needs, I suggest that you do a Google search on  “file sync software”  to find others.


A WORD OF WARNING:

There is something you need to keep in mind if you set up a sync like this.

In Linux, file and folder names are case sensitive. That means that the file names   mydata, MyData, and Mydata   are all very different files.

However, in Windows, file and folder names are NOT case sensitive. That means that the file names   mydata, MyData, and Mydata   are refer to the exact same file.

This can a BIG problem if you are syncing between a Linux and Windows systems. So, the best practice is to make sure that all folder and file names, on both our Linux and Windows computers, are NOT case sensitive. That is to say, instead of    mydata, MyData, and Mydata   you should use file names like   MyData1,  MyData2,  and MyData3.


That's it for this time. Good luck and have fun.

Difference between Cinnamon, Mate, KDE and Xfce - Explained

This particular blog entry is intended for new users to Linux Mint. But some more experiences users might find useful info here as well.

When a new user goes to download Linux Mint for install on their computer (from website http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php), they have a choice of 4 desktop environments; Cinnamon, Mate, KDE and Xfce. Also they have to pick between version with a codecs or without, and 64-bit vs 32-bit.

Confusing?

     What's the difference?

          Which one should you pick?

That's what I hope to explain in this short blog entry.

So, what's the difference between Cinnamon, Mate, KDE and Xfce?

The difference is that these are 4 different desktop environments. That's to say, they are 4 different ways that Linux Mint looks on your screen, and behaves.

Think of it this way, if you have 4 different cars that are all the same make and model, but one is red with a stereo, one is blue and has stick shift, one is yellow and no AC, and one is black with a sun roof. Each is very different in their look and features. But under the hood, they are are all the same. The Linux Mint 'engine' (called the Kernel) are all the same for all versions of 17.1. It's the appearance on the screen and a few of the features that are different. 

And just as all 4 cars can be driven down the same road, all 4 desktop environments will run the same software packages.

Here is a very short rundown of the differences:

CINNAMON

The Cinnamon desktop environment is the one I highly recommend for people who are new to Linux Mint. That is assuming you are installing it on a laptop or workstation that is less than 8 years old. If your hardware is more than 8 years old, I suggest you check into the MATE environment (see bellow).

Cinnamon requires less actual memory (RAM) than Mate, but it does require much more CPU and video resources. On older hardware, this extra load can result in a very slow system. Also, some older graphics cards can't handle Cinnamon at all, and you will get a screen full of junk when you boot up. If that is the case, I suggest you use another computer to download the Mate version and install it.

The big advantage of Cinnamon is its ability to do some animations (like the rotating cube demo), semi transparent windows like the Terminal, and a very smooth opening and closing of windows. As far as actual functionality, it does everything that Mate does.

Most people pick Cinnamon. It just looks cooler and does everything most people need.

Note: Be sure to read what I have to say about Mate (bellow) before you pick this one.

MATE

Pronounced like 'Matt-Tay', this desktop environment is primarily for older hardware which may have issues with the slick graphics of Cinnamon. As far as actual functionality, it does everything that Cinnamon does, only not as pretty. If you are using a laptop or workstation that's older than 8 years old, I would recommend the MATE desktop environment for new users.

Some people who do have newer hardware pick Mate just out of personal preference. They prefer the simpler look and feel of the environment. In such a case, it just comes down to what you like.

“Isaac's Computer Tips” has a wonderful YouTube video showing a side by side comparison between Cinnamon and Mate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfNHnmX3GNY

Note: I myself have 3 very older systems, and Mate is the version that I use on all 3.

MATE OEM

Do NOT install this version. This is a very small, bare-bones version of MATE. It is intended to be used by manufactures as a “pre-installed” version of Linux. Basically, it can run an in-store demo to show off the systems speed and graphics. It does NOT do much else.

KDE

KDE is a desktop environment is designed for advanced users. It's more “Windows” like in appearance than the others environments. The advantage of KDE is that it gives the user many configuration options and extra widgets not found in the other environments; allowing the user to customize their system to their liking. However, many people new to Linux Mint would probably find it very confusing, and a bit overwhelming. I would not recommend it for new users. I recommend starting with Cinnamon or Mate, and then graduating to KDE down the road, if you feel you really need to.

Xfce

Like Mate, Xfce is primarily for older hardware which many have issues with the demands of Cinnamon. It is fast, easy, and simple. It is a very bare-bone, minimalist desktop environment. It reminds me very much of Linux distros of years past. However, it does NOT come with several key packages built-in that I think many new users would expect. I would NOT recommend this for a system you plan to use for entertainment or business work. However, if you are looking for a very simple environment to learn about Linux itself, this one can't be beet. If you are a student and learning about the Linux OS, go for this one.

Versions of Linux Mint with “No Codecs”

Basically, a codecs (pronounced like 'Code-Ex') is a software package that allows you to watch moves from a DVD drive, play music CD-Roms, and watch some videos over the Internet.

In some cases, businesses are legally obligated to pay a fee to have this software on their corporate PCs. If the PC is NOT a corporate PC, don't worry about it.

Most people just download the version that has the codece.

If you still have questions about this, I would recommend you read this short White Paper on the subject for clarification.

http://www.fluendo.com/media/papers/the_role_of_legal_codecs_in_Linux_installs_V2.pdf

32-bit vs. 64-bit

Most versions of Linux Mint come in both a 32-bit and 64-bit version. This refers to the type of CPU you have in your computer.

The rule of thumb here is this: almost all modern day computers are 64-bit, so go with that version. If you have one of the very rare systems that is 32-bit, it will give you an error message when you try to install Linux Mint. In that case, use another computer to download the 32-bit version and use that one.

Now that you have picked the version of Linux Mint you want and have downloaded it, what to do next?

Go to one of the following websites depending on which version you have picked. These are the Official Linux Mint Users Guides for each version. Take some time to read it over. The first time you install Linux Mint, it might be helpful to also have this document on another PC or your cell phone in case you need to refer to it during the processes.

CINNAMON:

http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation/user-guide/Cinnamon/english_17.0.pdf

MATE:

http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation/user-guide/MATE/english_17.0.pdf

KDE & Xfce:

There is no offical guide from these versions at this time. Use the one above for Cinnamon to install theses.

Good luck, and see ya'll on-line :)

How to watch world-wide TV for FREE

By Joseph Roten – January 3, 2015 at 16:30 PST (01/04/15 12:30 GMT)

I recently showed a few people how they can watch TV from all over the US and the world on their computers for free, completely legally. In each case the response was something like “I didn't know you could do that!”. So I thought this would be a good subject to share in a blog entry.

There are a number of very well advertised web sites were you have to pay to view. But there are also a large number of web sites were you can view TV stations for free, completely legally.

When you install Linux Mint, it already comes with everything you need to do this. There is no need to install anything extra.

What to do with this error window

Note: If you get this error when you try to view a TV station, just click on “Activate Adobe Flash”, and then on “Allow and Remember”. That will solve the problem.

Full screen vs Minimised window

All the screen captures I'm showing in this blog entry are of the video windows minimized. In each case, there is an icon at the bottom of the window to enlarge them to full screen. Pressing the [esc] key on your keyboard will minimise them again.

http://wwitv.com

Click on the link above to go to the WWITV web site. From here you can watch free live TV from all over the world; USA, France, Japan, Canada, Spain, etc.. The stations are organized both by country, and by content; Movies, News, Local TV, Lifestyles, and so forth. Many of these stations have content in English as well as the language(s) of the region. This stations list is NOT a complete list of what's available on the Internet, but it is a very good place to start. Note: The screen capture at the top of this blog entry was taken from a French TV station that I got to through the wwitv web site.

http://streema.com/tv/

Click on the link above for Streema. It is very similar to wwitv (above) but does have a few stations listed that wwitv does not, and visa versa. Click on the station icon to bring up the video feed. You might have to scroll down the web page a bit to see the video. For some reason the video on this web site is usually down towards the bottom of the web page. Streema is well worth a visit.

http://www.freeetv.com/

Click on the link above for FreeTV. This web site is very similar to wwitv and Streema, but here again there are a few stations that are not listed on the other websites. I particularly like the Clasic SciFi channel – it's old B movies from the 40's and 50's. This web site also has a nice collection of local TV stations across the US.

http://new.livestream.com/watch

This is the website for LiveStream. It broadcasts live sports events, concerts, news, and live coverage of conferences. There is always something interesting to watch here.

http://www.crackle.com/

Click on the link above for Crackle. This is a limited collection of pre-recorded TV shows and moves for free, but you will have to sit through their advertisements. You might find something you like here.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/w/movie/

Click on the link above to go to the NHK World video feed. This is an Internet TV station coming from Tokyo Japan. It is targeted to foreign audience, so most of their content is in English. It broadcasts news and weather from Japan, travel, culture, nature, music, and cooking shows. To see their schedule, go to http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ustream.html#.VKhw6B3yO8M

This is the public video feed from NASA. NASA has a number of feeds for education and news, but the one above is the one used for live launch broadcasts. To see their schedule and access the other NASA feeds, go to http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/schedule.html#. Note: Be sure to change the time zone on this web site so the information will be correct for your location.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nascar-live1

This is the NASCAR channel. It is usual just a blank screen. But if there is a race taking place, you can watch it here. Sorry, no pictures of car races to add to the blog.

http://www.pbs.org/

http://www.bbc.com/

http://www.cbs.com/

http://www.nbc.com/

http://abc.go.com/

Full episodes of many popular TV shows can be found for free at these web sites. Check them out.

That's it for this time. Happy viewing.

       Joe.