PhotoPost Community - View Single Post

StuartDH · November 1st, 2007, 03:01 PM

I've been using Photopost for a year or two, but did a fresh install yesterday and found a few errors in the install page, that would possibly drive newbies nuts if they're installing for the first time.

I've highlighted them in Red with a note in Green below

Hope this helps

Stuart

PhotoPost PHP Pro Installation
We have designed PhotoPost to be easy very easy to install, and we have tested it on a variety of platforms, including Unix/Apache/FreeBSD and Windows 2000 / IIS 5.0. Please see our requirements to find out more about what PhotoPost requires before installation.

Whenever possible, the script will try to self-correct any problems (like permissions or missing directory); but in order for the script to do this the files/directories must be setup by you so that the server has permissions to do these things as per our instructions below.

1.) Server Configuration

Before installing PhotoPost PHP, you need to verify that your server is properly configured to support it. PhotoPost PHP requires PHP 4.0.2 or greater, MySQL 3.22 or greater, and ImageMagick 5.3.8 or greater. Verify these requirements with your web host if unsure.

2.) Database Configuration

If you're using PhotoPost with an existing forum, you can either use the MySQL database that you're presently using for your forum for both PhotoPost and your forum, or you can create a separate database for PhotoPost (in either case, your forum user database will still be used by PhotoPost). If you choose to, or if you are using PhotoPost by itself, create a MySQL database for PhotoPost and record the database name and the username and password needed to access it. Be sure to consult http://www.mysql.com and your web host if you have questions about installing MySQL or setting up a MySQL database.

If you plan to use PhotoPost with an existing forum, we recommend that you backup your database before proceeding. PhotoPost is designed to work with the "stock"/unaltered versions of the various supported forums, not hacked versions. Most hacks should not affect PhotoPost's use of your forum user database table and usergroups table(s), but backing up is the safest way to go.

New Installations can specify a table "prefix" if you need to install all your tables into a single database. Entering a unique prefix will allow PhotoPost to exist in the same database as other applications without risk of sharing table names.

3.) Downloading PhotoPost, Uploading Files

Download PhotoPost from our members area. You will need the username and password that we email to you upon purchase of a PhotoPost license in order to login to the members area.

Unzip PhotoPost into a directory on your local machine, making sure that you maintain the directory structure of the zip file. The zip file contains several .php and .sql files as well as three (should this be six now?) main directories called "images", "uploads", "help", "languages", "stylesheets" and "data".

You can either edit your config-inc.php in a text editor (like NotePad) or you can wait until you run the install.php program which will let you review your config-inc.php options and set them there.

If you choose to edit the config-inc.php manually: Edit the values between the quotes on each line of the config-inc.php file to match your server's settings and your own personal preferences. Use the comments within the file as a guide to each setting. Be careful to only edit the text between the quotes: don't remove the semicolon from the end of any line or any quotation marks. If you plan to use PhotoPost's internal user registration system rather than interfacing with a forum user database, make sure that $database and $database_bb are both set to the same PhotoPost database.

Before you run Install

ImageMagick Users

You will need to know the path to your server's "mogrify" ImageMagick binary executable if you plan to use ImageMagick. If you don't know the location, run the following command from the command prompt to find it:

locate mogrify

If you are editting the config-inc.php manually, set $mogrify_command in config-inc.php as:

$mogrify_command = "/your/path/to/mogrify";

or, for NT users:

$mogrify_command = "c:/path/mogrify.exe";

(Note the use of forward slashes, this prevents PHP from confusing paths).

If you are going to run the install.php to set your configuration, take note of the path for the install process.

GD / GD2 Graphics Users

Some PHP installations include support for GD/GD2 graphic extensions. You can verify your server's setup by checking your phpinfo. See our requirements page for instructions on how to check your server configuration in the "Testing Your Web Server for Compatibility" section.

If you plan to use the GD Graphics Library instead of ImageMagick, you will need to set $usegd = 1 in config-inc.php for GD 1.x.x or set $usegd = 2 in config-inc.php (no longer in the config-inc.php) for GD 2.x.x, or choose GD1 or GD2 from the dropdown during the install process (see below).

Now create a directory on your web server for PhotoPost. The directory needs to be accessible via the web. FTP PhotoPost's directories and files from your local machine to your server. The directory structure on your server should be as follows:

photopost
images (chmod 755)
uploads (chmod 777)
help (chmod 755)
data (chmod 777)
1 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories)
2 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories)
500 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories)
languages (chmod 755) (a (is something missing here?)
stylesheets (chmod 777)
templates (chmod 777)
forums (chmod 755)

Be sure to FTP all .php and .sql files into the photopost directory. All permissions for .php and .sql files should be set to chmod 644.

During installation the install script will check your permissions and, if set incorrectly will try to correct them. However, for this to work your web server must have permissions to make changes to these files. If you encouter an error while running Install it is probably because the web server does not have the permissions it needs to make changes or create files. Check your user/group ownership permissions to ensure they match your web server.

4.) Web Installation Script

Now you are ready to run the web based installation script that will check your server for PhotoPost's requirements and set up your PhotoPost database. Open install.php in your web browser and follow the prompts.

Step 1 will let your review and/or set your options in config-inc.php. Your config-inc.php MUST be writable by install for this step to succeed. If you get an error, it is because the server does not have write access to the file. Change permissions to 777 (it says 666 on the browser install page) and run again.

Step 2 will test your server for the graphics selection you chose. If you selected ImageMagick, it will look for mogrify at the path you specified. If you selected GD, it will test to make sure the GD library is installed. If either returns an error, then you need to go back and either find the proper path to mogrify - or your server does not support the GD library you selected.

To proceed to the next step, click on "Click here for a FRESH install".

Step 3 will check your database settings. If the server cannot connect to the databases you specified, you will get an error. To fix this you will need to edit your config-inc.php variable settings and hit REFRESH; or restart install.php and edit your selections. Once verified, the install program will begin populating your tables with our data. Finally, the script will ask whether you want to install PhotoPost using its Internal User registration system, or to instead work with an existing/external Forum user registration system.

Step 4 will prompt you for some server configuration information, and our script tries to guess as to your server's settings. Please don't assume that the defaults are correct, double check them. If you are using PhotoPost with a forum, note that the following forum versions correspond with the selections in the drop down box (those using PhotoPost's internal registration system can ignore this):

2.2.0 = All vBulletin versions v2.2.0 and newer
2.0.3 = vBulletin versions between 2.0.3 and v2.2.0 (not including 2.2.0)
phpBB2 = phpBB 2.0+ (RC versions not supported)
UBBThreads v6 = UBB Threads versions 6.x
DCForums = DCForums 1.2
InvisionBoard = IPB 1.1.1

Step 5 will set up your user and usergroups database. If you receive an error message at this point, check your config-inc.php file and be sure that the settings for your $bb_database are correct. Make sure that your MySQL database for PhotoPost is properly set up and that the username and password that you're using to access it are correct and that the user has insert, update, delete, and alter privledges.

PhotoPost installation is now complete. Be sure you remove your install.php file (and the various upgradeXX.php/.sql)files) from your server's PhotoPost directory to prevent malicious users from altering your PhotoPost settings. Leave the .sql files in place as they are used later if you reimport usergroups.

To proceed, open the administrative control panel, adm-index.php, in your browser.
5.) vbPortal/vBulletin header-inc.php Visual Integration

If you use vbPortal or vBulletin, you can integrate your forum's look and feel into PhotoPost. The vbPortal integration displays your vbPortal top/left side, and bottom, around PhotoPost. The vBulletin integration displays your default vB header/footer templates with PhotoPost. To implement this, open header-inc.php and follow the instructions there. vbPortal users should only edit the vbPortal section (not the vBulletin section), and those who use vBulletin only should only modify the vBulletin section.

November 1st, 2007, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
StuartDH Member Verified Customer Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 239	Installation Page errors I've been using Photopost for a year or two, but did a fresh install yesterday and found a few errors in the install page, that would possibly drive newbies nuts if they're installing for the first time. I've highlighted them in Red with a note in Green below Hope this helps Stuart PhotoPost PHP Pro Installation We have designed PhotoPost to be easy very easy to install, and we have tested it on a variety of platforms, including Unix/Apache/FreeBSD and Windows 2000 / IIS 5.0. Please see our requirements to find out more about what PhotoPost requires before installation. Whenever possible, the script will try to self-correct any problems (like permissions or missing directory); but in order for the script to do this the files/directories must be setup by you so that the server has permissions to do these things as per our instructions below. 1.) Server Configuration Before installing PhotoPost PHP, you need to verify that your server is properly configured to support it. PhotoPost PHP requires PHP 4.0.2 or greater, MySQL 3.22 or greater, and ImageMagick 5.3.8 or greater. Verify these requirements with your web host if unsure. 2.) Database Configuration If you're using PhotoPost with an existing forum, you can either use the MySQL database that you're presently using for your forum for both PhotoPost and your forum, or you can create a separate database for PhotoPost (in either case, your forum user database will still be used by PhotoPost). If you choose to, or if you are using PhotoPost by itself, create a MySQL database for PhotoPost and record the database name and the username and password needed to access it. Be sure to consult http://www.mysql.com and your web host if you have questions about installing MySQL or setting up a MySQL database. If you plan to use PhotoPost with an existing forum, we recommend that you backup your database before proceeding. PhotoPost is designed to work with the "stock"/unaltered versions of the various supported forums, not hacked versions. Most hacks should not affect PhotoPost's use of your forum user database table and usergroups table(s), but backing up is the safest way to go. New Installations can specify a table "prefix" if you need to install all your tables into a single database. Entering a unique prefix will allow PhotoPost to exist in the same database as other applications without risk of sharing table names. 3.) Downloading PhotoPost, Uploading Files Download PhotoPost from our members area. You will need the username and password that we email to you upon purchase of a PhotoPost license in order to login to the members area. Unzip PhotoPost into a directory on your local machine, making sure that you maintain the directory structure of the zip file. The zip file contains several .php and .sql files as well as three (should this be six now?) main directories called "images", "uploads", "help", "languages", "stylesheets" and "data". You can either edit your config-inc.php in a text editor (like NotePad) or you can wait until you run the install.php program which will let you review your config-inc.php options and set them there. If you choose to edit the config-inc.php manually: Edit the values between the quotes on each line of the config-inc.php file to match your server's settings and your own personal preferences. Use the comments within the file as a guide to each setting. Be careful to only edit the text between the quotes: don't remove the semicolon from the end of any line or any quotation marks. If you plan to use PhotoPost's internal user registration system rather than interfacing with a forum user database, make sure that $database and $database_bb are both set to the same PhotoPost database. Before you run Install ImageMagick Users You will need to know the path to your server's "mogrify" ImageMagick binary executable if you plan to use ImageMagick. If you don't know the location, run the following command from the command prompt to find it: locate mogrify If you are editting the config-inc.php manually, set $mogrify_command in config-inc.php as: $mogrify_command = "/your/path/to/mogrify"; or, for NT users: $mogrify_command = "c:/path/mogrify.exe"; (Note the use of forward slashes, this prevents PHP from confusing paths). If you are going to run the install.php to set your configuration, take note of the path for the install process. GD / GD2 Graphics Users Some PHP installations include support for GD/GD2 graphic extensions. You can verify your server's setup by checking your phpinfo. See our requirements page for instructions on how to check your server configuration in the "Testing Your Web Server for Compatibility" section. If you plan to use the GD Graphics Library instead of ImageMagick, you will need to set $usegd = 1 in config-inc.php for GD 1.x.x or set $usegd = 2 in config-inc.php (no longer in the config-inc.php) for GD 2.x.x, or choose GD1 or GD2 from the dropdown during the install process (see below). Now create a directory on your web server for PhotoPost. The directory needs to be accessible via the web. FTP PhotoPost's directories and files from your local machine to your server. The directory structure on your server should be as follows: photopost images (chmod 755) uploads (chmod 777) help (chmod 755) data (chmod 777) 1 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories) 2 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories) 500 (chmod 777 - including subdirectories) languages (chmod 755) (a (is something missing here?) stylesheets (chmod 777) templates (chmod 777) forums (chmod 755) Be sure to FTP all .php and .sql files into the photopost directory. All permissions for .php and .sql files should be set to chmod 644. During installation the install script will check your permissions and, if set incorrectly will try to correct them. However, for this to work your web server must have permissions to make changes to these files. If you encouter an error while running Install it is probably because the web server does not have the permissions it needs to make changes or create files. Check your user/group ownership permissions to ensure they match your web server. 4.) Web Installation Script Now you are ready to run the web based installation script that will check your server for PhotoPost's requirements and set up your PhotoPost database. Open install.php in your web browser and follow the prompts. Step 1 will let your review and/or set your options in config-inc.php. Your config-inc.php MUST be writable by install for this step to succeed. If you get an error, it is because the server does not have write access to the file. Change permissions to 777 (it says 666 on the browser install page) and run again. Step 2 will test your server for the graphics selection you chose. If you selected ImageMagick, it will look for mogrify at the path you specified. If you selected GD, it will test to make sure the GD library is installed. If either returns an error, then you need to go back and either find the proper path to mogrify - or your server does not support the GD library you selected. To proceed to the next step, click on "Click here for a FRESH install". Step 3 will check your database settings. If the server cannot connect to the databases you specified, you will get an error. To fix this you will need to edit your config-inc.php variable settings and hit REFRESH; or restart install.php and edit your selections. Once verified, the install program will begin populating your tables with our data. Finally, the script will ask whether you want to install PhotoPost using its Internal User registration system, or to instead work with an existing/external Forum user registration system. Step 4 will prompt you for some server configuration information, and our script tries to guess as to your server's settings. Please don't assume that the defaults are correct, double check them. If you are using PhotoPost with a forum, note that the following forum versions correspond with the selections in the drop down box (those using PhotoPost's internal registration system can ignore this): 2.2.0 = All vBulletin versions v2.2.0 and newer 2.0.3 = vBulletin versions between 2.0.3 and v2.2.0 (not including 2.2.0) phpBB2 = phpBB 2.0+ (RC versions not supported) UBBThreads v6 = UBB Threads versions 6.x DCForums = DCForums 1.2 InvisionBoard = IPB 1.1.1 Step 5 will set up your user and usergroups database. If you receive an error message at this point, check your config-inc.php file and be sure that the settings for your $bb_database are correct. Make sure that your MySQL database for PhotoPost is properly set up and that the username and password that you're using to access it are correct and that the user has insert, update, delete, and alter privledges. PhotoPost installation is now complete. Be sure you remove your install.php file (and the various upgradeXX.php/.sql)files) from your server's PhotoPost directory to prevent malicious users from altering your PhotoPost settings. Leave the .sql files in place as they are used later if you reimport usergroups. To proceed, open the administrative control panel, adm-index.php, in your browser. 5.) vbPortal/vBulletin header-inc.php Visual Integration If you use vbPortal or vBulletin, you can integrate your forum's look and feel into PhotoPost. The vbPortal integration displays your vbPortal top/left side, and bottom, around PhotoPost. The vBulletin integration displays your default vB header/footer templates with PhotoPost. To implement this, open header-inc.php and follow the instructions there. vbPortal users should only edit the vbPortal section (not the vBulletin section), and those who use vBulletin only should only modify the vBulletin section.