Some general questions from the new guy on the block

[vbntn]

Hi, Im the new guy here,
Here is where I am with this new situation:
Already have account with Hostgator, Domain is registered, DNS set, have VB downloaded, unzipped and ready to upload.
I use Dreamweaver to handle some websites that I handle. I don't know anything about uploading VB via an FTP client.
Which FTP client is easy to use and cost effective/free?
Also, the directions on the readme said "The config.php file is commented throughout, so you should be able to work out what values to enter for the variables yourself":erm:
whazat all mean? I don't know enough about this to know what to enter there. Can I just take the defaults?
I have sat a board up thru Proboards and it looks great! I just wanted to have a board that I could backup easily and take wiht me if I needed. Is the setup as easy as on Proboards? (If any ofyou have used them before. )
I'm sure there are video tutorials in here somewhere. I'm still surfing thru this.
Thanks for any advice and help.
Mark

[lasto]

goolge flashftp - is the ftp program i use.
As for config.php - nope u cant just use the defaults as it u need to edit it to link to your mysql database that you create for the board to connect to.

It may sound daunting but its quite easy so long as u got access to create the database then u need the database name and password and enter them in the relevant lines in config.php.

[vbntn]

goolge flashftp - is the ftp program i use.
As for config.php - nope u cant just use the defaults as it u need to edit it to link to your mysql database that you create for the board to connect to.

It may sound daunting but its quite easy so long as u got access to create the database then u need the database name and password and enter them in the relevant lines in config.php.

Daunting..yes..it does sound that way...I don't understand "edit it to link to your mysql database" when/where how do I create said "database"? LOL.
And it said, "this process should only take about 5 minutes" at the bottom of one of the readmes.:p
But, with instructions, I can launch a rocket!
Thanks!
Mark

--------------- Added 1204748783 at 1204748783 ---------------

The instructions I read don't say anything bout setting up a database. point the browers to the forum, click next step and fillin address and names for the board. then delete the 'install/install.php and upgrade1php. from the server and then enter trhe control panel and start admin functions.
is that what I do? normally? I got confused about the "database" setup that was mentioned.
I think I won't have a problem ftping using a different client that Dreamweaver.
Thanks!
Mark

[snakes1100]

1. Create the database in you hostgator admin panel for your main hosting account.

2. In the ftp browser, rename config.php.new to config.php, edit config.php and change the hostname, database name, username & passwd that you just created in the hostgator admin panel.

[IronMountain]

Another FTP client which is free:

Filezilla (http://filezilla-project.org/)

[vbntn]

WOW..that's all I can say. I thought I was good with tech things. I build websites, can work PSD, build computers, and guys...I have met my match.
I have setup my database in cpanel.
I have ftp working.
Now, If I can ever figure out how to change the PHP configuration, it'll be good. ..I think.
BUt..at this rate, I'll be in the nursing home.
I think I'll have to start over.

Going to delete all of the files on the server, re-unzip and start over from there.

The domain I want to be a forum is an addon domain. I think I'm confused bout setting that up. Say that my primary domain is Mark.com. and the addon is marktalk.com
-Should THIS:$config['MasterServer']['username'] = my username to login to my PRIMARY domain in CPanel or my addon domain where I want the forum to reside?
Another thing here is that when I created me as a user, it put something before my name, actualy my login name to the account, call it X, then _, then the newly created username.
Do I put all of that in there? X_Mark?
Same goes here: $config['MasterServer']['password'] which password? Primary login to CPanel or the newly created addon?
I have left this: $config['MasterServer']['servername'] to default localhost.
email is ok..
I copied the db name from cpanel and pasted it.
I uploaded with flashftp.
Do I upload into the directoy, say the domain is marktalk.com. Do I create another folder for it on cpanel? or put the upload folder under marktalk.com?
Thanks...I'll get there..eventually.
Mark

[snakes1100]

masterserver username & password is the username & password for the db you created, has nothing do to wiht your domain name, that is access for the db that you want to use no matter what site its on.

if you want yourdomain.com to have the forum page there, then yes, if you want a custom home page, then i suggest you use a sub dir like forum/forums

what are you refering to changing in PHP?

[vbntn]

Thanks, I'll try that later.

Chaning in PHP, I was referring to the changes I made from the readme file.:
THis line is from the readme:
Editing the config.php file is one of the few times in vBulletin where you will need to edit raw PHP code.

Is there a video tutorial somewhere?

[wally]

you can use any texteditor to change the config.php (wordpad, notepad) etc

[snakes1100]

Typically in most ftp browsers, you can simply right click a file and click edit, the program will open the file in the default program that is set in its program options, typically as wally said that will be notepad, when your editing is done, click file at the top, then click save in the list, close the file and click ok in the ftp program so it re-uploads the file for you.

Some ftp browsers differ, some make you upload after the changes before closing the file after save, some like flashfxp make you close the file first, then click ok in the ftp browser.

[vbntn]

ALLLLLLRLIGHT!!!! who's ur daddy!! LOL.
Got it, finally..
I had the path incorrect to setup after ftp. fixed it. then
I had major wrangles with users/db/passwords.
Turns out it needed the EXACT, copied WITH underscore and because it is an ADDON domain, I needed to be using my PRIMARY name,underscore and the ADDON onafter that.
X being my primary account login name
Example. login was X_NEW user name (user I created for the DB).
Also, some confusion as the instructions said to upload the Upload folder, then rename it to forums which includes the index file. So, when you go to the url you pointed the forum to, it only sees the file manager, the index file it needs to open is not there, it is in the forums folder. So, I had to move all the files under the main domain and then get some help from Hostgator chat. And here is how he did that:
Matthew S.: Add a directory index into the .htaccess file
I like Hostgator a lot. I like the text chat. Much easier than language barriers.
Well, I'm happy now. This was much harder than what I had anticipated. But, I guess if I had to do it again, I'd know how.
Now...I gotta setup the forums and make the thing LOOK better. Has no banner, just that HUGE VB thing. I'll have to peruse thru here, I guess to find solutions.
Thanks!
Mark

[intricatic]

You think that was hard? Just wait until you decide to modify something on the board. ;)

[IronMountain]

vButn,

You might want to ask some of the support reps. Some companies will walk you through little things like this.

[vbntn]

You think that was hard? Just wait until you decide to modify something on the board. ;)

OH yea, know I know what you are talking bout! I struggled and fought with membermaps until I finally had to throw the towel in and move ahead with my life.
Working on something for 24 hours is just....inappropriate.
Mark