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Last night I decided to migrate away from XAMPP to independent installations of php, apache, mysql, phpmyadmin, and mercury.

I went through hours of configuration hell, and along the way, I had a question or three I wanted to post and it brought up an ongoing sore point for me of not really knowing where to post it on the family of stack exchange sites. Is there a place where I find clear boundaries for what questions are asked on the Stack Exchange sites Stack Overflow, Super User, Webmasters, and Server Fault?

As background, I work independently, code (php, JavaScript) and manage my own site which is on a shared host. I use Stack Overflow 99% of the time and most issues come back to code for me - and that is why I am posting this question here.

What I believe:

Stack Overflow is for coding issues When my php installation was done but accessing my website gave me php errors, I imagine this is where I should ask those questions.

Server Fault When my installation of php and apache just wouldn't work due to configuration issues, I imagine that this is where those questions would have gone.

Webmasters I normally use this site for my SEO questions but I am not quite sure what the differences between this site and server fault.

Super User I use this site for other technical issues that don't fall in the other categories. I am tempted to use this site when issues don't cleanly fit in the above forums.

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    Each site /help/on-topic is the most canon you can find. Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 17:44
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    @Braiam - thank you, that helps a lot. You would think that would be one of the links under "Help" - a simple "What to post on this site" Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 17:50
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    @mseifert: It's the first link when you go to the help center. Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 17:54
  • Server fault is for managing information technology systems in a business environment. This does not include questions about local install issues, or typically anything related to shared hosts either. Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 18:24
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    @zondo - Thanks, somehow I've missed seeing that link among all the other stuff on the page. Now that I've read through all the sites' " What topics can I ask about here?" links, it's clearer, what goes where. Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 18:24
  • @AD7six - Thank you, I see that now. I can imagine the reasons for this distinction (business versus development environment), but it seems to fracture up the knowledge base more than I care for. Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 18:30

1 Answer 1

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Just to have it in one place - this is a quick reference for anyone, or the next time when my memory isn't so clear...

Stack Overflow

  • a specific programming problem, or
  • a software algorithm, or
  • software tools commonly used by programmers; and is
  • a practical, answerable problem that is unique to software development

Webmasters

  • search engine optimization (SEO)
  • domains
  • web-hosting
  • internet marketing

Server Fault

  • managing the hardware or software of servers, workstations, storage or networks

  • tools used for administering, monitoring, or automating these

  • deployment to and management of third-party provided information technology platforms

Super User

  • computer hardware,
  • computer software, or
  • personal and home computer networking

Information Security

  • web app hardening
  • network security
  • social engineering, including phishing
  • risk management policies
  • penetration testing
  • security tools
  • using cryptography
  • incident response
  • physically securing the office, datacentre, information assets etc.
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