Running linux commands through PHP

[daydreamer]

I am running a Linux server (Ubuntu desktop, Apache, PHP5).

 

I want to be able to run any linux commands from my PHP scripts.

 

For example, this works:

<?php
$output = shell_exec('ls');
echo "<pre>$output</pre>";
?>

 

But I want to be able to do things like (example) :

 

<?php
shell_exec('gnome-open www.google.com');
?>

 

This opens a browser with google loaded if I do it manually from the command line.

When I do it in a PHP script, it wont load the browser. (I am doing it locally).

 

Why is this?

[.josh]

I really don't know squat about linux but my shot in the dark is...does php.exe have permission to access gnome?

[daydreamer]

Yeh I was thinking the same thing, either Apache or PHP wont allow me to run commands because of security.

 

But I dont know which settings to change, or where to find them!

 

Im going to look into it.... if anybody knows what I should be doing to get it to run let me know (please)