The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:02 pm**

I'm trying to install it, since I want to set up some music forum stuff on radnoise, but I don't know how. I figure since this forum was set up with that program, at least a few people here would know.

I'm sorry that I'm always asking dumb computer questions, but what can I say? I suck at computers.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:10 pm**

I'd like to say "don't" because phpBB is a major piece of shit, but unfortunately I haven't found anything better than it out there.

What's the problem you're running into? It might help to have a bit more information. Does your webserver have PHP? A database? If so, which one? (mysql, postgres, other) Or is it just that you don't know where to begin? Did you try reading the INSTALL file? It's fairly thorough.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:16 pm**

His webserver has php and mysql.

JR, I have no flippin' clue how to install phpbb, but I'd suggest trying something like this:

google wrote: 1. Decompress the phpBB 2 archive to a local directory on your system.
2. Upload all the files contained in this archive (retaining the directory structure) to a web accessible directory on your server or hosting account.
3. Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable by all (666 or -rw-rw-rw- within your FTP Client)
4. Using your web browser visit the location you placed phpBB 2 with the addition of install/install.php, e.g. http://www.radnoise.com/phpBB2/install/install.php, http://www.radnoise.com/forum/install/install.php etc.
5. Fill out all the requested information and hit Submit
6. Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable only by yourself (644 or -rw-r--r-- within your FTP Client)
7. Click the Complete Installation button or revisit the location you entered above.
8. phpBB 2 should now be available, please MAKE SURE you read at least Section 8 below for important, security related post-installation instructions.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:04 pm**

fluffy wrote:Does your webserver have PHP? A database? If so, which one? (mysql, postgres, other) Or is it just that you don't know where to begin? Did you try reading the INSTALL file? It's fairly thorough.

According to Puce I have PHP and mysql. I honestly have no ability to understand this stuff. I tried the install file but my computer thinks it's a Broderbund Easy Prints file (we use that to make greeting cards). If I uploaded the files 10 by 10 the process could take days, with huge frustrations. I might have to try it though - if it doesn't work, I can always just delete everything.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:17 pm**

Do you have shell account access?

Also, right-click on the INSTALL file, select "open with," then select Wordpad.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:18 pm**

You do the installation on your webserver, not your home PC.
What is the extension of the file you tried to run? If it's zip, it shouldn't be opening with Easy Prints. If it's something else, then you want to be uploading that stuff to your server. Actually your server may have unzip capability on it, if you can get to a command prompt. Is this too technical?
-bill

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:31 pm**

I can't do permission 666 for anything. I've got 664 and a few others, but not 666.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:37 pm**

jolly roger wrote:I can't do permission 666 for anything.

They are trying to keep the evil spirits from you.

What are you using to ftp? The mention of 10x10 makes me think you are using your webserver's web-app style ftp client... I'd recommend that one I linked as an easy to use client that will let you edit file permissions, if you can do so. Unless you are explicitly NOT allowed to set anything to 666, in which case you're superfucked.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:42 pm**

During the installation process, it tells me I can't connect to the database. Is this due to the fact that something doesn't have the right permissions? I have to put in database names/passwords, but I'm not sure what those are.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:15 pm**

You actually want things to be permission 644. 666 is extremely unsafe on a shared server, since it lets any user of that server edit your files (meaning, they can pwnz0r your site and so on). Why were you trying to set anything 666 to begin with?

It'll be easier to help you if you say what you ARE doing, not what you're not doing.

The database name/username/password are what your database is set up as. Whoever set the database up for you should be able to tell you what they are.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:28 pm**

So I've got it set up. I just don't know how to pimp it out.

Here it is!!!

There's no need to post there yet, but at least you can see it and give advice on how to make it look not like crap.

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:33 pm**

fluffy wrote:Why were you trying to set anything 666 to begin with?

Because I told him to:

the phpbb install guide wrote:3. Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable by all (666 or -rw-rw-rw- within your FTP Client)

... and then later ...

the phpbb install guide wrote:6. Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable only by yourself (644 or -rw-r--r-- within your FTP Client)

EDIT: Yay! Congrats, JR!

Posted: **Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:50 pm**

Sheesh ... I have to get up at 6:00 for school tomorrow. Time for bed. I look forward to working on this even more tomorrow.

Posted: **Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:52 pm**

Hey - this isn't for the forum, but I'm wondering - is there a way that I could set up a 'browse' button so people could upload mp3 files to a folder I have on my website, and a link would appear to the product? Is that possible? It seems like it would be a lot like the art archive.

You see ...

I have this idea - I want to make radnoise a bit more useful, so I think it would be cool to start up some half hour long skirmishes, hosted by me. For the half hour during the fight, I'd have the button set up on the page, and when the fight's over, I delete the button, and the songs uploaded to the page remain. Is that an appealing idea to you guys? Do any of you know how to do that? (as I said before, my guess is that it would be very similar to the art archive)

Posted: **Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:19 pm**

There is a way to, yes. There's probably standard "upload file" programs, or you could learn PHP and look into the $_FILE variable.

Posted: **Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:33 pm**

I am pretty sure I'm not going to be able to learn PHP - but what is this "upload file" program? I have lots of exciting ideas for this page which would be made possible through this.

Also, how do I change the template I'm using? It looks like generic crap, even though I've customized it a lot.

Posted: **Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:20 pm**

http://www.google.com/search?q=file+upload+script

Posted: **Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:10 pm**

fluffy wrote:http://www.google.com/search?q=file+upload+script

I have tried my hand at about 4 of those options, and discovered that if it isn't HTML, it is beyond my computer prowess. However, my forum is looking rad to say the least.

Here it is!!!

Feel free to set up an account and drop by every once in a while. I hope to get the skirmishes rolling somehow eventually, which may give you more incentive to stop by.

Posted: **Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:14 am**

What would be a good day and time to do the first radnoise skirmish?

Posted: **Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:17 pm**

I think there's file upload mods for phpBB, by the way.

Posted: **Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:41 pm**

I'm computer challenged, so I guess I'll just live without the upload buttons unless the site gets really popular. If that happens, I'll update the system to save myself some trouble.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:02 am**

One more situation for the computer people to help me out with (if you wanna) -

The only new members on radnoise lately are spammers, and I have to delete their accounts on a daily basis. As well, we're taking a break from the frenzies for a while, so I want to keep the forum in a state of dormancy - no posting/no new members etc (but still viewable). Is this possible?