Installing and running WordPress (IT Toolbox activity 3)

Written by: Jonathan Briggs

October 13, 2009 [4792 views]

Installing and running WordPress (IT Toolbox activity 3)

Congratulations to all of you who have now got your shiny new server space and domain name. As you will have seen if you chose a host with Fanastico there are now many applications and software tools that you can install and run without any further cost. Feel free to install, try and uninstall any of them and particularly TikiWiki. Coppermine image gallery. phpBB2, dotProjekt and perhaps Joomla.

For this week’s exercise I want you to install and start to use WordPress. This is a popular and extremely powerful blogging/publishing tool written in PhP.

Part 1: Deadline: Monday 19th October, Midnight

One of the reasons for choosing WordPress is that the documentation, tutorials and help forums are excellent. I will not therefore try and replicate these here. Instead I will ask you to follow the instructions here… Always read or watch carefully before you start to make sure you have everything you need.

Preparing and installation

http://codex.wordpress.org/New_To_WordPress_-_Where_to_Start but note that if you have Fantastico, all of the installation will be handled for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfmQIsBz5S0 Here is a video of installation with Fantastico – Watch this!

http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_cPanel Here are some alternative instructions

Finding your way around

http://codex.wordpress.org/First_Steps_With_WordPress

What should you be able to do by the end of this activity?

Be able to use the admin tools
Be able to create, edit and view a post
Be able to publish your blog online and access it from the web

To complete this part of this activity you just have to fill in the online survey as normal with your answers to the following?

Provide the full URL to your new blog (with at least 3 posts)
Upload a screen snapshot of your home page. This should be 400 pixels wide at 72dpi
Describe any problems you had in the installation process and how you overcame them
Add any questions

Here is the link to feedback your answers to Part 1 of this activity:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/176337/toolbox-3-1

Part 2: Deadline: Monday 19th October, Midnight

You have now done lots of practical work and its time to reflect on what is going on? Don’t worry if you don’t know the exact answer. You will get the marks from sensible attempts to answer. Feel free to use Google to try and search for answers to the questions if you really don’t know.

How would you explain WordPress to a friend who had not heard of it? What does it do?
Describe ways in which you think it is similar or different to tools used by the BBC to publish the BBC News site
What do you think was going on while you installed the application? (describe carefully in your own words)
Where do you think WordPress stores the text for your blog?
What sorts of things do you look forward to doing using WordPress?
How could WordPress be useful to you for your other modules or in your free time?

Here is the link to feedback your answers to Part 2 of this activity:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/176078/toolbox-3-2

Recent comments:

On October 13, 2009 at 8:46 PM, Andre C wrote:

Hello, ive basically trying to submit the work, but the uploading image wont work, ive tried JPEG, GIF, PNG, also tried to upload it in firefox and internet explorer and i also have resized it to 400 width

Jonathan replies: How very odd - other people have managed it. Make sure the file extension is .jpg or .gif or .png. Let me know if other people have the same problem.

On October 14, 2009 at 8:41 AM, Gareth Bishop wrote:

Just to add my 2 cents to the previous comment, its possible that if the file size your trying to upload is over 2mb in size, (very possible when shrinking images!), it wont upload, as the php default is 2mb, although this can be changed in the php.ini file, so check the filesize of the image as well. This probably isnt the case,but is a possibility.

Onto my actual comment, I already owned server space before the previous activity, and I don't think I have fantastico, which is no problem to me, but is a more manual installation, e.g. upload a .zip and extract it on the server applicable to this activity?

Jonathan replies: Thanks Gareth for your suggestions. I think 400 at 72dpi should actually be quite small.

You are correct that your installation is going to take a little longer - good luck.

On October 14, 2009 at 2:47 PM, Ahmet wrote:

Question about Toolbox 3.1 Question 2
It says "snapshot of your webpage" , is that our /blog or main site?

Thanks

www.ahmetabdi.com

Jonathan replies: Your blog.

On October 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Dan wrote:

"Upload a screen snapshot of your home page. This should be 400 pixels wide at 72dpi"

Not entirily sure what that means, i under stand the 400pixels wide, but the 72 dpi in not sure about
Cheers
Dan

Jonathan replies: When you take a snapshot it is normally 72dpi but sometimes people have tried to upload higher resolution images. Just check by saving your image and then viewing it in your web browser - if it looks tiny then it was probably saved at 300dpi

On October 15, 2009 at 8:19 PM, Mona wrote:

Hi Jonathan,

I still cannot access my website when I type my domain name in the URL. I used Web Hosting UK, the email said that it will take upto 72 hours but still nothing. Any idea on whats happening or what I could do.

Thanks

Jonathan replies: Wait I am afraid - it could take 72 hours as they have said - don't worry, I will be lenient on deadlines

On October 15, 2009 at 9:36 PM, Akram Musharraf wrote:

Just checking if i can post a comment

Jonathan replies: You can.

On October 15, 2009 at 10:06 PM, Gulam wrote:

Hi,
i want to know, on the activity 3 part 1, i have just installed wordpress and i haven't found any problems yet. so how would i do question 4 on the survey if there are no problems (YET!).

Jonathan replies: LOL - explore it until you find something you dont understand.

On October 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM, Muazzam Zaman wrote:

Hi Johnathan
Iam really stuck on activity 3.2 on question 3. I don't get the question 100%. Were you alluding to what happens with the servers when i downloaded wordpress, or what happened with my computer when i downloaded word press? The question is quite generic and not very specific and thats confusing me. I'am very sorry about that. If you could just make it a bit more specific then i can find the answer for it hopefully

Thank you.

Jonathan replies: Both! I want you to tell me what was happening in both places - client/server is a big idea that I would like you to be comfortable with.

On October 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM, Marvin Hines wrote:

I having problems with accessing Cpanel through 600host becasue it cannot display webpage. is there another way to acess Cpanel without using 600host

Jonathan replies: You need to read the information they sent you. It is likely that you access cPanel by typing http://www.yourdomain.com/cPanel
Is that what you have tried?

On October 18, 2009 at 11:46 AM, Shanice Wilson wrote:

I have attempted to do activity 3 but realised my domain name and hosting server are not connected together. I have now tried to do so and now awaiting a confirmation e-mail to let me know it has been connected. Once this has been connected i will be able to proceed with activity 3. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Jonathan replies: Thats fine - thank you for letting me know.

On October 18, 2009 at 2:10 PM, Nick wrote:

My website still isn't up and running, and it has been well over a week now. Should I e-mail 600host to ask them what is going on?

Jonathan replies: Yes

On October 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM, lyle torok wrote:

Im having some issues taking a snapshot it seems that any snapsnot i take is at 96 dpi or higher and when i try to use editing tools to change this it seems to dramatically lose quality

anything i can do ?

www.toroks.co.uk/wp

Jonathan replies: You may need to search for some shareware image editing software.

On October 18, 2009 at 3:58 PM, Emad wrote:

Hi Jonathan, i am using siteground to build my site but when i want to acess my site the following message come up -

This is a default index page. If you are the owner of this domain name and would like to remove this page, you simply have to upload your website into the /public_html folder of your SiteGround hosting account.

I dont know how i am going to do, can you plaease help.. thanks

http://halizay.com/

Jonathan replies: Have you installed Wordpress? Have you tried putting a index.html page you have created into your root directory? Watch my latest video.

On October 18, 2009 at 6:27 PM, James Sammut wrote:

hi jonathan, my domain name still has not been completed and on the 600host.net the status still says pending even though it has been 10 days since I paid for it all what should I do as the task requires me to use my site?

Jonathan replies: As I have said to others, drop them an email and wait to complete the exercise until the domain has gone through.

On October 18, 2009 at 10:35 PM, Sam wrote:

Hi Jonathan, I have a domain name but I a similar hosting problem to the last post (James Sammut). I have switched hosts in order to use fantastico, will this affect my activity 2 mark as I used a different host for it?

Jonathan replies: No that is fine - this all about YOU being in charge.

On October 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM, James Sammut wrote:

hi jonathan,
i have only just got my domain up and running after numerous emails to 600host.net and was wondering what site builder we could use? is soholaunch a good one (from fantastico) or is it too complex as it requires a lot of disc space, should it be created in its own directory? many thanks

Jonathan replies: I would start with WordPress but after that it is entirely up to you. I have used Joomla and Drupal in the past and both have their strengths.

On October 19, 2009 at 6:38 PM, James Sammut wrote:

Hi jonathan, i have got myself into a bit of a sticky situation whereby I cant delete all of the files from soholaunch when i tried to unistall it through fantastico, and not the remaining files will not let me download anymore software apps from fantastico so my website looks not different to when completely made, and i cannot add any software such as wordpress, i have emailed technical support and am awaiting their response what should i do as this means i cannot use my domain

Jonathan replies: They may be able to do a clean install for you or help you delete. Why is deleting the /wp directory not possible? You may have to change some permissions to allow you delete eveything.

On October 20, 2009 at 3:41 AM, Govin wrote:

Hi Jonathan,

I purchased a domain and hosting package from 600host the website you recommended. My domain is still listed as pending which means i cant take a screen shot of the wordpress installed. Its now 3 in the morning what shall i do to complete task 3 if this is the case?

Thank You

Jonathan replies: Send them an email

On October 20, 2009 at 9:14 AM, C G wrote:

Hi Jonathan,
i how do you login to the blog thingy and efit them once you have posted them!

Jonathan replies: Do it through your wp-admin screen.

On October 21, 2009 at 9:02 PM, nkashama kabeya wrote:

Hi Jonathan,
I am kind of stuck on activity three because i bought my domain from 1&1 and my web space from webhosting uk. The two of them do not seem to be communicating as all the changes that i do through webhosting do not take effect. As a result i cannot see my wordpress page i cannot enter my ftp sites, either on the browser or with filezilla. I have tried transfering my domain to webhosting but 1&1 is blocking the move. What should i do?

Jonathan replies: Don't panic. I suggested you buy your domain from the same company as your hosting for just this reason. Your domain is not pointing at your hosting and you are going to have to find out how to do this. Do some searching for "repointing a domain" or send an email to 1&1.

On October 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Moh wrote:

Hi,
I have just posted activity 3 with both parts to you. I hope that it is not to late and I dont fail this activity. Can you please reasure me.
Thank you Jonathan.

Jonathan replies: Be reassured!

On October 26, 2009 at 6:53 PM, Raphael Arowoshola wrote:

Didnt upload a picture for activity 3.1 would like to but not sure how to save the print screen as Jpeg, or am I going about the wrong way ??

Jonathan replies: Search for tools and tips particular to your OS.

On October 27, 2009 at 1:07 PM, Emad wrote:

Hi Jonathan i am still not able to access my front page. what should i do?

www.halizay.com

Jonathan replies: Which of the following can you do?

1. Access your cPanel?
2. Install WordPress?
3. Access WordPress Admin?
4. Create a blog post?

On November 2, 2009 at 4:57 AM, Dhusanthan Ravindran wrote:

Hi Jonathan,
I have the blog feature from my hosting comapny so do I still need to use wordpress ?

Jonathan replies: Can you manipulate themes in CSS? Does it support plug ins? I think WordPress will probably teach you more.

On November 9, 2009 at 1:53 PM, yousef gajari wrote:

hi
i had a problem with hosting company and with my website, that was stopping me do my activities. now i got it running, i have started to do my activities. what is the deadline for all the activites as now im half way through the activities

Jonathan replies: Officially today! Complete what you can.

On November 9, 2009 at 11:22 PM, Pardis wrote:

just got my domain name today, and i cannot seem to download and setup wordpress what should i do? i tried several times

Jonathan replies: Can you log into your cPanel? If not, you will need to email your hosting company.

On November 13, 2009 at 11:23 PM, Temoor Dar wrote:

This is getting very complicated i have unistalled and installed all of word press about 3 times, and still my blog looks like a third party effort. it was going all swell until a complete white screen came up.

by the way i want to notify that i am still work very hard towards blogging, and found a unique intrest in it. i will also try to finish up all of the other activites while im doing this. i just want you to know that i am having serious problems with wordpress at the moment.

i will just mention the most common errors appearing.

(1) - when changing your blog or wordpress URL in the admin site, it will appear with an error on the website saying wp-login missing.

(2) - you sometimes cant install the theme you want otherwise it
will show a blank screen with another message.

(3) - some installation and activation of plugins will completly destroy youre blogging website and wont let you furter, it will say again something like wp-login.php missing, nearly every white screen with an error shows up with a missing .php extension file.

Need help Plzzzzzz

www.adaywithtimi.net

Jonathan replies: Ok - looks like you are having some genuine issues. Have you compared notes with other students? Are you making sure that any plug-ins or extensions are for the same version of WordPress? Come and see me before or after the next session.

On December 1, 2009 at 5:30 PM, Andrew wrote:

Hello I got a problem with this, i just found out that i didn't submit this task and i need help desperately! i'm not on the part on installing wordpress and for some reason when i added my website (http://stationaryequipments.com/) to 'wp-admin/install.php', the server was not found! please help me asap

Jonathan replies: You will need to talk to some other students and find out what they did differently or ask for help in a forum.

Your hosting looks OK but can you get into cPanel? Can you find Fantastico? Can you install WordPress?

Take things in steps.

Also note that at this stage you can look through the activities and pick and choose what to do. You could meet the requirements of some without fixing WordPress. You could do some of the WordPress ones by using www.wordpress.com.

Don't panic - just take this easy and work your way through each problem, seeking online help as you need it.

What do you think?

Add your comments

Installing and running WordPress (IT Toolbox activity 3)

October 13, 2009 [4792 views]

Part 1: Deadline: Monday 19th October, Midnight

Preparing and installation

Finding your way around

What should you be able to do by the end of this activity?

Here is the link to feedback your answers to Part 1 of this activity:

Part 2: Deadline: Monday 19th October, Midnight

Here is the link to feedback your answers to Part 2 of this activity:

Recent comments:

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