The program is based on a combination of PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Libraries (frameworks) such as React, Vue.js, and Angular were deliberately not used in order to enable simple, cost-neutral operation on site without any special infrastructure. All runtime environments used are open source licensed!

 

Runtime environments used:

autocomplete.scroll.min.js, bootstrap5.2.3.bundle.min.js, chart4.4.4.min.js, datatables2.0.8.min.js, diacriticsmap.js, flmngr2.0.13.min.js, fontawesome.min.js, inputmask5.0.11.js, jquery1.11.3.min.js, jquery3.7.1.min.js, jquery-ui.min.js, mark9.0.0.min.js, moments2.30.1.js, papaparse5.4.1.js, pdfmake0.2.12.min.js, vfs_fonts.min.js

 

This means there are no hidden costs or license fees! Since all components are stored locally with the application, “My Workshop” should also be able to run without an Internet connection.

 

When it comes to security, I must point out the following:

 

1. Security as a cloud implementation

The application is NOT suitable for running on a web server hosted by any provider on the Internet. Technically, this is possible, BUT the software is not programmed for this! It uses all the security mechanisms that are implemented as standard in the runtime environments, but has no additional encryption, access rights, http/https security, or database hardening specifically implemented!

 

2. Security as a local installation

The application is “secure” behind a firewall, e.g., your router / switch, etc. The standard security measures mentioned in point 1 are sufficient to ensure internal, secure operation.

3. If you, a friend, a consultant, or a professional IT service provider use openssl, you can make your internal server “secure.” Then you could also implement external access via the router.

 

Basically, 'my workshop' is as secure as your IT network is secured!

A PC is required. It does not matter whether the device runs on MAC or Linux. Once the application has been properly installed, it can be used by all computers available in the company (regardless of the operating system and simultaneously), as “My Workshop” is a web application!

 

A functional web server environment must be available on the computer on which it is to be installed. After various tests with “ready-made” web servers, I strongly advise against this! It is better to take the slightly longer route and install all the necessary components yourself (see the “Installation” chapter).

 

However, the newer and faster the computer, the better! It should be a relatively recent (> 3 years) i-5 (or a comparable AMD processor, of course) or better. The main memory should be >8GB if the computer is also used for other purposes. Nowadays, the storage capacity required by “My Workshop” is negligible! As with the processor, the newer the better... M2 bars are always faster than SSD, etc.!

 

The PHP version must be > 8.1!

The database must be MariaDB version > 10!

The Webserver should be Apache!

 

Given the more or less infinite number of installation combinations (different components [e.g.] operating system, web server, databases, and the multitude of different versions), I unfortunately cannot have tested everything or installed everything on a trial basis... Here is the recommendation for a stable and tested web server environment:

 

1. Operating system

Linux as a desktop or server with DEBIAN or Ubuntu. DEBIAN is preferable, as it is stable and runs long-term and is not subject to the peculiarities of UBUNTU. It is not important to always be up to date/on trend.

 

2. Web server environment

Please follow these installation instructions. Make sure that you set / check these php values in /etc/php/'your version, e.g 8.4'/apache2/php.ini:

 

• date.timezone = 'your timezone, e.g. Europe/Berlin'
• memory_limit = 256M
• upload_maxfile_size = 64M
• max_execution_time = 300

 

Once everything is installed, please enter the following additional command in the console / terminal: ‘a2enmod headers’. This is necessary to instruct Apache not to use a cache for the application! 

 

3. Database management tool

Please download “Adminer” and copy it to the directory: /var/www/html on the “server.”

 

4. my Workshop

Here you can download the application as a .zip file. The zip file contains the software in a directory called “cfmw.” Copy this directory to /var/www/html and then enter the following command via the console/terminal: ‘sudo chmod -R 777 /var/ww/html’. This ensures that all the various cfmw processes required have write permissions. You will also find the corresponding database as cfmw.sql. This database must be imported with Adminer (or phpMyAdmin) before the first start

 

You also have the option of importing sample application data into “my workshop.” This allows you to get a very good impression of the functionalities, get to know the application, and, if you like it, start over later with a new database import. Instead of writing myself to death here, you can find the videos here...

 

That's it! Congratulations! You're ready to go...