My Experience with setting up and configuring PHPBB 3.0.2
A client of mine contacted me today with a task to setup his domain account and configure PHPBB 3.0.2 instead of the quick install 2.x version that was an option with his hosting company. Â I had never setup Forum Software before, but not one to back down from someone willing to pay me for my services I jumped into this full throttle.
I have to say 4 hours later and several issues resolved I have configured the bulletin board without issue. Â Let me discuss how I accomplished this.
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- Challenge 1
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The hosting company allowed no direct access to the server since it was a “Shared” Windows VM, so I was limited to ftp uploads and manipulation of file/folder structure through the Hosting Companies website. Â Which meant when I downloaded the PHPBB 3.0.2 software, I had to unzip it on my local computer and then upload the 1000+ files manually instead of being able to upload a zip and unzip on the remote server.
This was the hosting company’s issue, I definately like Dreamhost better and I always prefer to host on unix server’s vs Windows server’s unless the customer requires .NET content.
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- Challenge 2
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Once I got the files uploaded I ran the software (you just hit the domain/phpbb3.0/) and you get the installation wizard. Â One thing I didn’t realize right away was that the PHP BB 3.0 requires a database on the back end. Â Fortunately my clients hosting plan allowed 2 free MySQL databases, so I configured one and set PHP BB 3.0 to use it.
The software did detection and found it couldn’t write to several folders /cache, /store and I had to use the Hosting Company’s file manipulation software to tweak the folders to make them writable. Â Wish I could have just ssh’d into the server and chmod 666 the folder.
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- Challenge 3
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Once I got the software installed and working I tested a new user registration. Â This failed when trying to click submit with a CGI Error that the HTTP headers were incomplete. Â I searched online and found the solution is to edit the Security Features in the PHPBB 3.0 Admin Console, and uncheck “Check for MX Record”. Â This solved the issue.
After all is said and done the PHPBB 3.0 is up and running and looks like very easy to use forum software. Â You can build multiple forums, accounts and the auto registration is protected by CAPTCHA by default. Â
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- Summary
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In conclusion I was able to setup a new virtual domain, new Forum Software and get a new client up and running in a handful of ours when everything I had done was something I had never touched before. Â So I do say I am proud of myself for this one.
-Dragon Blogger
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