Apache shows "welcome" message instead of directory index for virtual host root

By default on CentOS, Apache will show the "welcome" page instead of the directory index for the virtual host root, even if you've added "Options Indexes" in the root directory definition in httpd.conf or in the .htaccess file for that directory.

So annoying. Seriously guys.

The AMAZING SECRET is /etc/httpd/conf.d/welcome.conf - this overrides the index option for any virtual host root. You can either comment out all the lines or edit the LocationMatch regular expression to not match a given host.

command-line mysql connection works, but not php

I was able to connect to a remote MySQL server from the command line on one of my servers, but that server, running php, was not able to make the connection, just returning a frustrating generic "cannot connect" message. The problem was of course selinux, and the solution:

# setsebool -P httpd_can_network_connect=1

Hat tip.