The Gallery Photo Database Application 
6 December 2002
Mac OS X Server offers the ability to serve data and applications on a level that Mac Users and Admins have never had until its advent. The arena of applications from Open Source has added new flavors to our palette. Two Open Source applications that I myself particularly like are more.groupware from moregroupware.org and Gallery from gallery.menalto.com.
Gallery is an Open Source picture/photo database with many functions and support for multiple users; it is PHP-based and very fast. This is a great Open Source application that is very easy to install, setup, and manage. Even if you are uncomfortable with the command line, do not fear; there is very minimal command line work needed to setup and use this great application. Mac OS X Server further simplifies the installation and setup.
First thing is to go to http://gallery.menalto.com and then “Download Now!”. Download the Latest Stable Version, NetPBM binaries, and Jhead binaries for Mac OS X. If you need to run PHP in CGI mode, download the PHP CGI binaries and finally Gallery Remote. Gallery Remote is a Java-based application that allows some remote tasks and batch uploads to Gallery.
Place the Gallery folder somewhere on your drive; I usually place my web apps in an unshared folder. Add a new folder to the Gallery directory called “albums;” you will need this for the setup to point to your album libraries. Copy Jhead andNetPBM to the same folder in which you placed Gallery. Installation and configuration is done via a Web-based setup wizard. First go to the Server Settings and set up a Web site pointing to the Gallery folder. Then go to the Terminal and give the following commands:
cd /your/path/to/gallery sh configure.sh
This will open up security for you to configure Gallery.
Now point your Web browser to the URL or IP you set up earlier for Gallery. You are now in the configuration wizard. You will be greeted by a system check that will see if you have all the necessary software components to run Gallery. Some of the components will show errors as they are add-ons to enhance Gallery’s use; please read them carefully. The following steps that the wizard takes you through are self-explanatory. Once you have completed the wizard setup process return to the terminal and give in the following commands:
cd /your/path/to/gallery sh secure.sh
This will turn off the configuration application. Gallery will not run if it is not in a secure mode.
Point your Web browser to Gallery’s address and you now have a very handy and flexible photo/picture database that you can hook into and existing web site or as a stand alone Web application.