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I am a developer and NOT an IT guru, geek or a passionate bit manipulator. And now and then I just needs to get reminded to that.
Today, I decided to install SubVersion on my local Windows 7 machine so I can start playing around with it. I already have extensive knowledge of Team System, but as a consultant you don’t always end up with a company that has the latest and most expensive software installed. A wider knowledge of possibilities is required.
I found this blog entry where the author explains in details how to install the server on a windows machine with the use of a Windows Service. This looked to me more interesting that installing an Apache Web Server like all other installers do.
Anyway, with full courage, I started to go through the steps. I’m not going through all the problems I came to, but I must say after about 4 hours or so, I finally succeeded installing the server and having the service up and running. Yahoo.
That is until I installed the client (TortoiseSVN) and tried to “work” with it.
When committing changes I always received an “Not Authorization” exception.
No matter what I did, I just could not get the authentication part of SubVersion get to work. After another hour I finally decided to call in some help and he gave me a “simple” solution.
Solution ?
The solution I finally implemented was:
- Remove EVERYTHING I did in the last 5 hours.
- Download VisualSVN Server (free server installer)
- Run through the wizard (specify the installation location, repositories location and authentication = windows mode)
I was up and running within 5 minutes, using both TortoiseSVN and ankhSVN for Visual Studio as clients.
Moral
A developer is NOT an IT specialist. though many may be so, it’s not because you are good in analytical thinking and creating components and systems that you are an expert in everything that has to do with computers. In my case, when it comes to networking, network authentication, users, and other IT-related issues, I still prefer to call in the advice of some real experts.
But in the end, I did succeeded in installing and using SubVersion. I did “wasted” 6 hours but at least next time I’ll be up and running in 10 minutes ;)
Right now it’s time for a run.