|
Overview
This page gives instructions on how to adapt the BigTalker Forum script from Indexfinger Inc.
for use at Spaceports.
Unfortunately, if you don't already have it, getting hold of the program may prove difficult as
the BigTalker and Indexfinger sites no longer provide forums. You will also need the small
zip of images too, unless you have other emoticons and icons to use.
I am leaving these instructions in place for those of you that already have the program, or know
where to obtain it.
Before you start
Read the Readme file!
Decide where you are going to put your forum - I put all my files in the default locations
suggested by the readme. If you wish to put yours elsewhere, you may have to change the paths
accordingly. The default directory structure looks like this:-
/bigtalker/
/bigtalker/members/
/bigtalker/variables/
It should be possible to use a different name for the main directory, but renaming the
sub-directories may cause problems.
Path change
If you signed up for your CGI-BIN account after the end of July 2000, but before the middle of
February 2002 you will need to change all references to home in the paths to
home2 or the script will not work.
If you received your CGI-BIN account after the middle of February 2002 you will need to change
all references to home in the paths to home3 to avoid errors.
Modifying files
This should not be necessary if you keep to the default directory structure. All variables
and paths are set from the admin script. The path to Perl is already correct for use at
Spaceports.
Uploading
Following the file structure instructions in the readme file, but not the
permissions:-
Create the directories and CHMOD them to 755
Upload the files in ASCII mode to the correct directories
CHMOD all .cgi files to 755
CHMOD all .html files to 777
The .gif files can be in any directory, or even on the 'planet' server. If you place them
on the CGI server, CHMOD them to 777, if they are on the 'planet' server you can skip that as CHMOD
is not used there.
Setting variables
Run the admin.cgi script from your browser. The default login username is
administrator with a password of example. Don't forget to change the password
once you have finished setting up!
Click on setup control, then variable setup and change the settings to match your site.
Make sure the file CHMOD radio button settings are at 755. When done, press the process
button to save the settings. Make your way back to setup control.
Click on Email Setup and change the settings there. Sendmail is at
/usr/sbin/sendmail if you are going to use it. When done, press the process button to
save the settings. Make your way back to setup control.
Click on images setup. Fill in the complete URL location of each of the images
listed. These can be on the 'planet' server if you wish. When done, press the process
button to save the settings. Make your way back to setup control.
Click on Registration Setup and change the settings there. When done, press the process
button to save the settings. Make your way back to setup control.
Click on Template Setup and change the settings to your own tastes there. When done, press
the process button to save the settings.
From here on in, it is up to your own personal tastes how you set the rest of it up. The
forum at this stage is functional, and the rest of the changes are mostly cosmetic unless you wish
to add moderators.
Be sure to visit the forum and change the password for the administrator. This is done via
the profile change option at the forum itself. Do not forget this!
The result
If all went according to plan, the forum should be up and running. You will probably spend
a while changing the colours to suit your tastes, but it should be ready to use.
If you want to see an example of how it looks by default, I have one here.
|
