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There's GOTTA be an easier way!


frustrated

Anonymous
grumpy
I installed GL through a script provided by my webhosting service (lunarpages.com). Basically, I just clicked on a link and filled out a form with admin username/password, directory to install to, etc. So... I want to add a couple plugins - specifically, forum and file management, but who knows what else in future. Problem is, the install instructions say to copy all these files over, but all I have available (that I know of) to do that is the clunky web-based file management page provided by the webhosting service; I can only upload 12 files at a time, and I'm not sure I have the patience to create and navigate all the subdirectories and transfer all those files in 12-file batches. Do I need to use an FTP or something? Or is there an install script I can run (somehow I doubt the webhost allows users that kind of access)? I'm a dummy when it comes to Linux/Unix/Apache, btw...
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beewee

Forum User
Full Member
Registered: 08/05/03
Posts: 969
Location:The Netherlands, where else?
It's easier using FTP software to transfer the files. I use Filezilla since a year, it's free, fast, reliable, easy to use and offers everything you need, you can get it here.

First try to install a smaller plugin to find out the directory structure. Mostly the files of a plugin have to be transferred in three different directories: /plugins, public_html/pluginname, /public_html/admin/plugins/pluginname.

When you have transferred the plugin files (and have read the docs) go to the plugins section in the Geeklog admin and you'll find an Install button.

If you have installed Geeklog by your hosting control panel (cPanel Fantastico) it's possible that you have a different directory structure, which may result in some problems.
Dutch Geeklog sites about camping/hiking:
www.kampeerzaken.nl | www.campersite.nl | www.caravans.nl | www.caravans.net
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ajzz

Forum User
Regular Poster
Registered: 01/19/05
Posts: 113
Does your host provide ssh/sftp (atleast ssh) access to your server-space?

In short, its easier to upload the packed files and unpack and move them around on the server.

i.e.

- Each plugin you download from here is a single gzipped tarball file. So unless you plan to put in more than 12 plugins on the same day, you can upload the relevant plugin file (something.tar.gz) in a single go.

- Subsequently, use ssh (google if you dont know abt it) to login to your account. Move the files to the plugins directory (or a test directory if you want to fiddle) and unpack the files. Each file typically will unpack into a directory containing many files and subdirectories. Read the readme file first and that should tell you everything beyond that point.

FYI unpacking a gzipped tarball is best done after moving the package to the geeklog/plugins directory and then using
tar -xvzf filename.tar.gz

Thats my Just my two cents

Cheers!

Ajay

Edit: looks like Beewee beat me to it.
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frustrated

Anonymous
Thanks for the hints, folks! I'll see if my server host will let me transfer the tarball and then unpack there.
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Status: offline

1000ideen

Forum User
Full Member
Registered: 08/04/03
Posts: 1298
WAIT a moment!

- Is that a good idea to unpack a .tar on a server withouth SSH? Lets assume you write a file untar.php (provided you chmoded the subdir to be able to write / unpack files)

<?
system("tar -xzf geeklog.tar.gz&quotWink;
?>

The point is that you can`t move them with an FTP programme afterwards as the owner is the server! I ran into this problem the other day and had even difficulties deleting the files again. That`s not funny for a beginner! I think files should be unpacked on the hard disk and transfered by an FTP programme.

- I wish to point out to all who are writing plug ins (and especially the great forum plugin, and all the other great tools...) please don`t expect a user to have root or shell access! Write instructions and pack all files in a way that they can be unpacked on the hard disk c:/ without sorting too much.

- And one more thing. There is this idea of aeonserv, a "full set of Geeklog" including the whole server software see contents here: http://aeonserv.com/staticpages/index.php?page=about

Why not putting a "full set of Geeklog" onto the server with these plugins already included but no server?

----------------------------------------------
staticpages .v 1.3
chatterblock .v 3.0
external .v 1.0
faqman .v 0.8
filemgmt .v 1.2
forum .v 2.2
lists .v 0.3
mdigest .v 1.1
gallery ?
HTMLArea in header.thtml
----------------------------------------------

Geeklog will only find a wider group of users if it becomes easier and more complete to install.
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beewee

Forum User
Full Member
Registered: 08/05/03
Posts: 969
Location:The Netherlands, where else?
Well, you could unpack the tarball first with Winrar and then put the files with FTP to the server.
Dutch Geeklog sites about camping/hiking:
www.kampeerzaken.nl | www.campersite.nl | www.caravans.nl | www.caravans.net
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Frustrated

Anonymous
confused
ok, me again...

1. The instructions in the install_doc.htm are cryptic! Somebody please work on them! I'm sure I must be screwing up the install somehow. Simple step-by-step directions!

2. I FTP'd a bunch of files over, but a) when I go to my site, the new plugin is not showing up in the plugin selection and b) when I try running the install.php directly, it gives me an error saying it can't find the config.php.

argh, guess I'll try the install again.,..
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frustrated

Anonymous
ok... part of the problem: its unclear whether I need a separate public_html directory in my or whether my root public_html is what's being referred to.

BTW, as I figure all of this out, I'm writing up new install instructions
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Status: offline

ajzz

Forum User
Regular Poster
Registered: 01/19/05
Posts: 113
From this thread , the link to the directory structure should be very useful to you.

public_html is you web root. Also, you may not have to reinvent the wheel - add to the wiki here.

Ajay
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frustrated

Anonymous
p.s., in my last post I meant to say "in my Geeklog directory"

In other words, the script my webhost uses installs Geeklog into the root/public_html directory, under subdirectory Geeklog. Does that mean I need to create root/public_html/Geeklog/public_html?
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frustrated

Anonymous
ajzz - problem is, I think the install docs are assuming that my layout and admin directories are supposed to be under public_html, but they're not! Those directories are currently under public_html/Geeklog/ (just the way the script installs it) , but I can't figure out if I'm supposed to create new layout and admin and forum directories, or if I'm supposed to use the ones that are already under public_html/Geeklog! I tried using those and it couldn't find the file it needed!

argh argh argh
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frustrated no more

Anonymous
ok, got it!

Every place I saw /public_html, I just substituted "/public_html/" and it worked fine. Reason it didn't work the first time is because I hadn't uploaded all the uncompressed archive contents into /public_html//plugins/forum (I thought those directions were just for uncompressing the files so they could be moved around, so I just uncompressed on my local drive instead, but there are needed files in there such as the config.php)
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