If your on Mediatemple.net (like WebServiceable.com) you are probably very pleased with the overall performance. Speed, uptime, support response and even copyright infringement accusations (:))

But the worst part about MediaTemple DVs is Plesk. Well that’s not true, plesk is great BUT there are few holes. One of which is being able to create additional ftp clients. I’ve struggled with this for ages and I decided to post the solutions that are available (as of the time of this post)

1. Create FTP Account Manually Through SSH
This process is fairly simple and is actually suggested by Plesk in their knowledge base. With that being said I do prefer the 2nd method i’ve listed after. I’ve summarized both below. (btw, thanks to marc for digging up the original plesk article for me)

NOTE: this method will not show the created ftp accounts in plesk, use the 2nd method below to have ftp users show up in plesk.

This process requires SSH access and (which has to be enabled on mediatemple) and a keyboard.

1. ssh into your host (using terminal in osx or putty on windows)
2. add the user with:
   /usr/sbin/useradd -d /full/server/path/to/users/folder -s /bin/false NEW_FTP_ACCOUNT_USER_NAME
   
3. add user to the ftp group “psacln” with:
   usr/sbin/usermod -G psacln NEW_FTP_ACCOUNT_USER_NAME
4. now make sure permissions are peachy
   chmod 755 /full/server/path/to/users/folder
   chown NEW_FTP_ACCOUNT_USER_NAME:psacln /full/server/path/to/users/folder
   
5. Set password for this new user:
   passwd NEW_FTP_ACCOUNT_USER_NAME

2. Enable FTP Access for a Plesk Web User

This next method MAY create some security hole, which I don’t know about but it is alot cleaner in as it does integrate with plesk. (p.s thanks to updel.com for the original source on this)

1. Create Web User for your domain
2. SSH into your site as root
3. with your favourite editor (pico/nano/vi, I like nano because its easier) open up passwd:
   nano /etc/passwd
4. Change the uid for your new web user to the uid of default user for your ftp.

   defaultftpuser:x:10001:2524::/var/www/vhosts/domain.com:/bin/false
   newwebuser:x:10002:2524::/var/www/vhosts/domain.com/user/:/bin/false

   becomes:

   defaultftpuser:x:10001:2524::/var/www/vhosts/domain.com:/bin/false
   newwebuser:x:10001:2524::/var/www/vhosts/domain.com/user:/bin/false

   Note: that the path you see is the absolute path that the ftp user will have access to. Change this to the path you want

5. Exit your editor and save.
6. FTP IN!

Google + OAuth + OpenID = Google Friend Connect.

They’ve done it again, the boys over at google has released a full javascript API for their Friend Connect services. Which uses services like OAuth and OpenID to authenticate users on your website, and then provide all of the social networking features they want!

taken from official homepage:
“Google Friend Connect lets site owners instantly awaken and strengthen the community that visits their web site. Friend Connect:

• Makes it easy for every site owner to add Friend Connect to their site regardless of their technical capabilities.
• Uses open standards to let visitors control their own data and freely share it with sites and services as they see fit. Services include OpenID providers like Yahoo, social network providers like Twitter, and update aggregators like Plaxo Pulse.

Friend Connect APIs enable developers to:

• Integrate social flows and data directly within a page’s markup, via the OpenSocial standard specification.
• Integrate existing login systems, registered users, and existing data with new social data and activities.
• Create social gadgets & services that are embeddable within millions of Friend Connect enabled sites.”

The factsheet, code examples, tutorials, and more after the turn!

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Yesterday programmableweb finally made me go signup over at dothegreenthing.com, a website who’s inspirational stories, videos, and simple actions can help anyone live a greener life.

Although I have seen their logo around the net for a little while now, I’ve regretfully never taken the leap into really digging into it. With the announcement of their “Labs” and the API that it provides, green thing officially interests me.

as described at dothegreenthing.com:

“Green Thing is a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. With the help of brilliant videos and inspiring stories etc. from creative people and community members around the world, Green Thing focuses on seven things you can do – and enjoy doing. Join people from 196 countries doing their green things and making a difference.”

With stories, help, and inspiration around our consumption (gas, heat, electricity, consumer goods, and even food!) – green thing looks to be the homebase for going green, the trendy web 2.0 and now webserviceable way

Lets hit a factsheet (after the turn) about green thing and take this time to credit: The programmableweb.com

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