New Licensed Installation – UNIX Server

Quickie Instructions for Advanced Users – Click Here

Before beginning the installation, you will need the items below.

Pre-Installation Checklist

q A copy of the UBB.threads™ PHP software zip file downloaded from the Member Area at www.ubbcentral.com.

q Unzipping software such as WinZip or Stuffit Expander available free for Macintosh, Windows, Linux, and Solaris platforms. (http://www.stuffit.com/expander). Note: Microsoft Windows XP includes the ability to read zip files without needing a third party program.

q An FTP client such as WS_FTP, LeapFTP, CuteFTP, or Transmit for Mac (http://www.panic.com). Web design tools, such as Dreamweaver, FrontPage, or GoLive must NOT be used for this purpose.

q A modern web browser such as Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 7.0, or Safari 1.0.

q A MySQL database on your webspace. During the installation process, UBB.threads™ will add the appropriate tables to the database; you do not need to do anything to the database before installing the software. If you need help configuring MySQL on your own server, please see our help document: Installing and Using phpMyAdmin.

q Ask your web host:

ü If you can use persistent database connections (UBB.threads™ allows you to enable this option in your Admin control panel, on the DB, Paths & URLs page. Persistent connections can provide a small speed increase, but can place heavy demands on the server. If you do not understand what persistent connections are, or you have not asked your host if you may use persistent connections, you should not enable this option.)

ü If your directory is PHP enabled (UBB.threads™ requires PHP 4.1 or higher)

ü Type of database (MySQL is the only supported database type)

ü Database server name

ü Username for database

ü Password for database user

ü Name of database (generally assigned by your web host; it could be your account name, for example)

ü Whether php.ini is properly configured to allow your board to send email

ü Whether php.ini is properly configured to also allow file uploads

Get ready to do the installation by unzipping the software zip file, opening your FTP program, and connecting to your web server.

What is an FTP program?

FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol.” Some examples of FTP software include: LeapFTP, CuteFTP, and WS_FTP. Using these programs, you can send files to a location on a remote server. If you’re unfamiliar with FTP, you may wish to read the Beginner’s Guide to FTP at http://www.ftpplanet.com/ftpresources/basics.htm (created by the authors of the WS_FTP software).

1. Create ubbthreads Folder

On the web server, in your directory (where you have your other web files, for example, index.html and others), create a folder called “ubbthreads”. All of the files you will upload can be placed in that new folder.

2. Upload all Files Except Images

Set the FTP program to upload in ASCII mode, and upload all files and folders into the “ubbthreads” folder EXCEPT for the images folder and its contents. Caution: you must use ASCII mode, or the installation may not work properly.

3. Upload Images Folder

Set the FTP program to upload in binary mode, and upload the images folder and its contents, including subdirectories, into your “ubbthreads” folder. Note, you may not see a “binary” mode in your FTP program; you may just have a menu option to check and uncheck ASCII. Uncheck ASCII.

4. Create a Directory for Logs

If you plan to enable the Control Panel or MySQL logging features, you will need to create a directory (it can be called anything you wish, for example “logs”). It’s recommended that you place this directory above the web root to protect access to your Admin logs. (The logging features are described in detail in the Administrator’s Guide.)

5. Set File & Directory Permissions

You must set the following permissions on the UBB.threads™ files and directories. You can use your FTP software to set these permissions. For exact information on setting permissions in your FTP client, see the documentation included with the client.

- The "ubbthreads" directory must be 0777.

- The files inside the "ubbthreads" directory must be 0755.

- The files inside the "admin" directory must be 0755.

- The "ContentIslands", "filters", "images", "imports", "includes", "sessions", and "stylesheets" directories must be 0777. Files in the directories must be 0666, and subdirectories must be 0777.

- The "languages" directory must be 0777. Files in the directory must be 0666, and subdirectories must be 0777.

- If you wish to edit templates in the control panel, the "templates" directory must be 0777. Files in the directory must be 0666, and subdirectories must be 0777. If you do not wish to edit templates, the directory and subdirectories must be 0666, but all files may be 0644,

- If you wish to set up Control Panel & MySQL logging, the "logs" directory must be 0777. Files in the directory must be 0666, and subdirectories must be 0777.

6. Run Install Script

In your web browser, access the installation script, in the “install” directory. The URL to the installation script will look something like:

http://www.yourdomain.com/yourdirectory/ubbthreads/install/index.php

This script will walk you through the rest of the installation, step by step. Simply follow the instructions as they appear in each screen. Be prepared to fill in your database name, user name, and password during this routine.

NOTE: The installation process will assist you with setting paths and URLs, but it is still a good idea to verify that they are correct. Use URLs relative to the URL set for “The domain UBB.threads will be run on” setting.

7. Create Admin Account

At the end of the test, you will see a link that says “new user script”. Before you click that link to create your admin account, use your FTP program to delete the “install” directory from your server. Then click the link to create your account. Please fill out all fields, including your email address and password.

8. Login and Begin Configuration

Log in with your newly created administrator account. After you have logged in, add a Bookmark or Favorite to your browser, so you can quickly find your board.

Click the Control Panel link at the top left of the navigation bar to begin creating your forums and selecting preferences. For additional assistance with administering your UBB.threads™ community, see the UBB.threads™ Administrator’s Guide (available at http://www.ubbcentral.com).

Note: If you plan to allow your community members to upload files or images (avatars) to your server, please see “Enabling the Attachment Feature” on this page: http://www.ubbcentral.com/support/install.php?product=UBB.threads.

For tips on enhancing the security of your installed UBB.threads™ software, please review Increasing Security in UBB.threads, in the “Additional Tips” documentation: http://www.ubbcentral.com/support/install.php?product=UBB.threads.

Quickie Instructions for Advanced Users

1. Create a “ubbthreads” folder - all of the files you will upload can be placed in that new folder.

2. Upload all files except images (use ASCII mode).

3. Upload images folder and its contents, including subdirectories (use binary mode).

4. Run “/ubbthreads/install/index.php”. Be sure to use absolute URLs.

5. Create Admin Account - At the end of the test, you will see a link that says “new user script”. Before you click that link to create your admin account, delete the ”install” directory from your server. Then click the link to create your account. Be sure to fill out all the fields on the page, including your email address and password.

6. Login and Begin Configuration - Click the Control Panel link at the top left of the navigation bar, and you can begin creating your forums and selecting preferences.

Note: If you plan to allow your community members to upload files or images (avatars) to your server, please see “Enabling the Attachment Feature” on this page: http://www.ubbcentral.com/support/install.php?product=UBB.threads.