Server fine tuning help needed

We are looking for somebody who can fine tune dedicated unix web server that is running a single website with big MySQL database (about 1GB), which is periodically updated using perl scripts to process data files. The website itself runs on PHP4/MySQL/AJAX. We have a set of tasks that we need completed right now: * check perl scripts and cron jobs to ensure full updates - the website was redesign to use an new database while all update scripts were initially tied with the old database. Scripts were modified to update the new database instead, but it seems that not all of the tables are updated as required. * check whether MySQL caching is set to the optimal level - we are running some huge queries and right now only the queries with SQL_CACHE are getting cached. You would need to inspect whether we are missing anything... * the server is being attacked by crawler bots, and right now .htaccess file is used against that. The website is running OK, but your task would be to double check on whether something in blocking those bots could be improved. * server has some backup crons in place but you would need to double check on those as well. Being a developer myself (but lacking experience to be comfortable to do all those tasks myself), I would estimate that all this shouldn't take more than 20 hours (your would get instructions from previous sysadmin as well as ability to ask him questions). If you do a good jobs and have good communication skills, this could turn into permanent part time job. Please NO COMPANIES, we are looking for a serious freelancer only. ## Deliverables Changes in server configuration. ## Platform Unix/MySQL/PHP4/AJAX Please do not bid unless you: * have few years of unix administration experience * can code in perl * have experience in MySQL optimization * experience in OOP with PHP (not needed for these tasks, but crucial for further work) * can respond to urgent tasks within 12 hours on a normal working day. * are good with your time management - this won't be your full time job, but when we need you to change something in the server, we will need that to get done quickly. * attach a list of the websites that you was working out recently (the best way would be a concise resume).