About to install my first code modification!

[darnoldy]

Folks-

I don't have a degree in computer sciences, I don't know php, I'm pretty good at following clear directions.

What do I need to know before I install this thing? What should I do that the directions may not include? What are the gotchas?

--don

[Colin F]

Originally Posted by darnoldy

Folks-

I don't have a degree in computer sciences, I don't know php, I'm pretty good at following clear directions.

What do I need to know before I install this thing? What should I do that the directions may not include? What are the gotchas?

--don

Make sure to backup both your files and your database, so that you can revert to that in case it should go wrong

[Biker_GA]

Backup, backup, backup!

[darnoldy]

Originally Posted by Colin F

Make sure to backup both your files and your database, so that you can revert to that in case it should go wrong

Sounds like very reasonable advice.

I am on a shared server at my hosting company. Is it sufficient to simply use my ftp client to copy the files to my local disk and then copy them back to the server if disaster strikes.

Also, I cannot see a file that I recognize as my database--would it be among the vBulletin files or somewhere else on the server?

--don

[merk]

The database is not stored as a file.

You will be able to download the database backup from your control panel, or if you cant find that, vBulletin has a backup option. (Which isnt recomended for large sites)

[Brad]

Originally Posted by merk

The database is not stored as a file.

You will be able to download the database backup from your control panel, or if you cant find that, vBulletin has a backup option. (Which isnt recomended for large sites)

Most control panels are known to timeout aswell, the problem is not directly related to vBulletin but it caused by the timeout restriction imposed on php processes.

The only safe way to backup is via SSH or Telnet.

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/m...nce_ssh_backup

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/m...ce_ssh_restore

As for the process of editing the php files, my advice is to keep back-ups (not only fresh back-ups but back-ups of working modfied files). You should also take your time and make sure you understand the instructions given to the letter.

As always hacks should be installed on a test forum/database before installation is attempted on the live site. You should also have a look over the thread to make sure there are no known issues with the modification.

[darnoldy]

Originally Posted by Brad

As always hacks should be installed on a test forum/database before installation is attempted on the live site.

Makes sense. Lucky for me my site is not yet live.

At this point, my stats are--Threads: 12, Posts: 40, Members: 7 (and three of those are dummy test accounts)I assume this is not considered a "large" forum <g>

Most control panels are known to timeout as well, the problem is not directly related to vBulletin but it caused by the timeout restriction imposed on php processes.

The only safe way to backup is via SSH or Telnet.

Okay, the last time I telnet'ed was to a gopher site--using a 300-baud modem--guess I can remember how to do that. Off to e-mail my host to see if I have telnet access!

I'll be back...


--don

[Adrian Schneider]

It's not as bad as people say, if you run into any problems, we can give you a hand.

[darnoldy]

Originally Posted by Brad

The only safe way to backup is via SSH or Telnet.

Well, I have good news and bad news...

• I found my terminal application and can telnet or ssh.
• The instructions on what to do once I launch the terminal appear to be written in some wierd polish/chinese/urdu pidgin.
• I have to pay my web host extra for them to enable ssh (they don't do telnet?).

I am not opposed to paying them to enable ssh if its important and I will need to use it in the future. Is it, will I?

A couple of people here have made reference to backing up the database through my control panel. Is that the hosting control panel on my site or the admin control panel in vB? It looks like I can do a backup from either--is one better than the other?

--don

[Kirk Y]

If you have phpmyadmin you can export your database tables through there into an .SQL file. It's usually free... if it isn't, then your host is a ripoff.