How to Install bBlog 0.7.4

What is bBlog?

bBlog is a web log or journal (also known simply as a blog). You can use bBlog to easily record your thoughts like a diary on your web page.

Requirements:

To use bBlog, 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 bBlog. The version used in this tutorial was bBlog 0.7.4. bBlog is provided in a gzipped tar archive, which most Linux users can extract, however Windows users will need a separate program to extract the files from these types of archives. PowerArchiver is a free program that will let you extract just about any type of archive in Windows, including gzip and tar archives.

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 bBlog 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 all the files to a folder on your hard drive. Log into your CGI server and create a directory called blog or whatever you wish to call your blog site. Upload all the files and folders you extracted from the bblog archive to this new directory on your CGI server. There are quite a few files so it may take awhile for those with a dial-up connection.

2. Move to your blog's bblog directory. Change the file permissions of the cache and compiled_templates directory to 777. Change the file permissions of the /cache/favorites.xml and config.php files to 666.

3. Point your web browser to http://cgi.yourdomain.com/blog/bblog/install.php replacing yourdomain.com with your actual domain name. Read through the license agreement and be sure you click on the check box next to I agree to these terms if you intend to comply with the GPL license. Be sure Fresh Install is chosen in the Install Type area. Click the Next button.

4. Now you can set up the configuration options. Note that instances of yourdomain.com should be replaced with your actual domain name. If the example does not have a dot then you should type in your actual domain name omitting the dot.

   General Config
   Blog Name:	Type in the title of your blog here.
   Blog Description:	Describe what your blog is about.
   Full Name:	Type in your name or your online alias, etc.
   Username:	Create a username here.
   Password:	Create a password. Be sure you can remember it!
   Email Address:	Type in your full e-mail address.
   MySQL Settings
   MySQL Username:	yourdomaincom
   MySQL Password:	Your MySQL database password
   MySQL Database Name:	yourdomaincom
   Mysql Host:	localhost
   Table Prefix:	bB_
   Server Settings
   Url to your blog:	http://cgi.yourdomain.com/blog/
   Path to bBlog:	/var/www/sites/yourdomain.com/blog/bblog/

   Click the Next button when done with your settings.

5. You'll see a line of numbers and the word done. Click on the Next button at the end.

6. Plugins will then be loaded. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the Next button.

7. You should then be informed that your configuration file has been written. Click the Next button to continue.

8. Log into your CGI server and move to your the bblog directory in your blog directory. Delete the install.php file, and the install folder. Set the config.php file permissions to back to 644.

Configuration:

1. Point your web browser to http://cgi.yourdomain.com/blog/bblog/ replacing yourdomain.com with your actual domain name. Log in with your new username and password.

2. Click on the Options link in the left side menu. From here you can finish configuring your blog the way you'd like.

Managing Entries:

To create an entry, click on the Post link in the left side menu. To manage your blog entries, click on the Archive link in the left side menu. There are other features to this blog which you may want to explore. For more information, consult the bBlog Documentation.

Troubleshooting:

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

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 bBlog, please contact the author at the bBlog 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.

• GreyMatter 1.3
• WordPress 1.5
• b2Evolution