How to Install WordPress

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a web log (or blog) system that allows you to post your thoughts online easily. A simple interface allows you to write your formatted text and publish it online. You can also edit or delete a blog post. Your visitors may also comment on your posts. You can control the level of membership your visitors may have in order to comment.

WordPress had been formerly known as b2 but now all download links are pointing to older WordPress downloads at SourceForge. We have also found another web log called b2Evolution which we have a tutorial for.

Requirements:

To use WordPress, you need to be sure your CGI account is set up. Please see How To Request A CGI Account for more information. You may also need to have a MySQL account set up if the script accesses a MySQL database. Most PHP-based scripts require this. Please see How To Request A MySQL Database. You will also need to download a copy of WordPress. The version used in this tutorial was 2.7.

Restrictions:

Remember that only your main account can access CGI scripts on your server. Any hosting or extra FTP accounts that access these scripts may cause your account to be deactivated and you'll have to contact support.

For WordPress to work correctly, please do not put it or it's directories inside your cgi-bin directory. If you do, the script may not work. It's best to use a separate directory and leave the cgi-bin directory for your smaller scripts.

Installation:

1. Extract the files into a directory on your hard drive.

2. Open the file wp-config-sample.php in a text editor and edit the following lines:
   
   define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere');
   
   Change 'putyourdbnamehere' to your domain name without the dot; for example, yourdomaincom. NOTE: If this name ends up being longer than 16 characters, then use the first 16 characters. For example if your domain is thisismydomainname.com then your database name is thisismydomainna.
   
   define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere');
   
   Replace 'usernamehere' with your domain name without the dot; for example, yourdomaincom. Note that this is also the same as your database name.
   
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere');
   
   Replace 'yourpasswordhere' with your MySQL password.
   
   Leave all the other values as-is. Save the file as wp-config.php.

3. Create a 'wordpress' (without quote marks) directory in the root directory of your CGI server and upload all files and directories you extracted from the WordPress archive to the new wordpress directory on your CGI server.

Configuration:

1. Point your browser to http://cgi.yourdomain.com/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php replacing yourdomain.com with your actual domain name.

2. Be sure to read every screen carefully while setting up WordPress. Type in the name of your blog in the Blog Title box. Type in your email adddress in the Your E-Mail box. Click the Install WordPress button.

3. On the next screen you will see a username and password. Write the username and password down. You will need them to log in and set up your blog. Click the Log In button. Type in the username and password you got on the previous screen and click the Log In button.

4. To change the administrator you need to create a new admin account and delete the old one. To do this, click on Users in the left side menu. Click Add New under the Users in the left side menu. Type in the information requested. In the Role drop down box, select Administrator. Now click the Add User button. Click the Log Out button at the top right of the page and then log in as the new user you just created. Note that usernames and passwords are case sensitive.

5. Click on Users in the left side menu. Click the check box next to "admin" user. Note the Bulk Actions drop down box. Click on it and select Delete and then click the Apply button. Be sure "Delete all posts and links." is selected and click the Confirm Deletion Button.
   
   Wordpress is now set up. You can explore other options by referring to the WordPress documentation and help system.

Troubleshooting:

I get a database error when I try to run WordPress.

Be sure that you have set up the configuration properly. For more information, please see I get a database error when I try to run a script that accesses the MySQL database.

Support:

If you have any problems or questions about WordPress, please contact the author at the WordPress web site.

Active Web Hosting may not be able to provide support for this program or it's installation.

Alternative Software:

Below you'll find a list of alternative software that you may also want to try. Click on the program name to go to the author's site. Click on the 'Tutorial' link to view our installation tutorial.

• bBlog
• GreyMatter 1.3
• b2Evolution