How Do I Install TinyPortal?

[Xarcell]

1. Introduction


TinyPortal (TP) is simply a modification (mod) for Simple Machines Forum (SMF) and, in terms of installation, is just like any other SMF mod. It is not stand-alone software, it can only be installed to an already installed SMF forum.

You have two installation options. You can either upload it through the Package Manager (recommended) or do it manually through an FTP program.

Either way, you must download the version you want to your computer (local machine).

The TP version you wish to install MUST be compatible with your SMF version! Please read through the download descriptions to make sure you install the TP version that is compatible with your SMF version!



2. Preliminary Notes


This document assumes ...

You are installing TP to an already existing and fully functioning SMF forum.

Considering you already have your SMF forum, this assumes that you are installing TP to the internet, a server, as opposed to a home / local machine. (If you don't know what this means, don't worry about it, you're fine.)


If you are worried about converting / installing and losing your database information ...

There is no need to be. TP, as a mod for SMF, must use the same database information as your forum, just like every other SMF mod will. Except for adding to your database, it does nothing drastic to it. There is no conversion process, just an add-on to your already installed forum.

You can not convert to TP from any other type of CMS / portal / etc. software. TP is only a mod for SMF, which means it must be installed to your already installed forum. There is no other option.

Despite that, we do strongly recommend that you make a back-up of your database before making any kind of changes, just to be safe. This is especially recommended if you are installing TP to a forum that has been active for a while and/or would upset you if you lost that information.



3. Installation


Automated install through the Package Manager ...

As was stated, in terms of installation, TP is like any other SMF mod. As such, we strongly recommend that you read SMF's "Package Manager" online documentation. You can find all the information you need there.

Once you've found the version that is compatible with your SMF install, you must make sure you find the package that is compatible with the Package Manager. The package you need in order to install TP through the Package Manager should be a .zip and is usually the first package listed for the version you want. The other packages should have "files only" or "manual install" or something else in the package name which is how you know they are not compatible with the Package Manager.

After you've found and download the compatible TP version and package to your local machine, you will need to upload it through the Package Manager in your SMF administration's area. The following is a simplified overview of how to do that.

Again, we strongly recommend you read SMF's "Package Manager" online documentation. (link above)

(Everything in bold is either an internal link or an option / setting that can be directly changed.)

ADMIN >> Main >> Package Manager >> DOWNLOAD PACKAGES >> Upload a Package >> Click the Browse... button to find your file and once you do, hit the Upload button.


Manual install through an FTP program ...

Again, TP is like any other mod, in terms of installation, so we strongly recommend you read SMF's "Installing SMF" and "Manual Installaton of Mods" online documentation.

As above, you will need to find and download the version that is compatible with your SMF install.

And you will need to find the package that is compatible with installation through a manual install through an FTP program. This package should be a .zip and have "manual install" or "files only" in the package name which is how you know it will be compatible for a manual installation through an FTP program.

You will also need a .php file that is the actual install file. It should be named "manual_tp_install.php" (or something along those lines). This should be the only .php file downloaded. This file will come with the "manual install" or "files only" .zip package, so you should not need to download it seperately. However, if you need to download it seperately, it is there along with the other package downloads.

TP will need to be installed in the same root folder that you've already installed your SMF forum in. So, if the address of your SMF forum is "http://www.mysite.com/smf/," your TP site will be installed there, too. So, to do so, you will need to install SMF to the "/smf/" root (SMF install) folder in the "/public_html/" folder, which will be "/public_html/smf/." If you want your TP site's address to be "http://www.mysite.com/," you will need to install your SMF forum into the "/public_html/" root (SMF install) folder directly.

You will now need to unzip the file you downloaded and manually upload every file / folder to the appropriate folders on your server. You should follow the file / folder structure as it's layed out when you unzipped the file. That is, the file / folder structure you get when unzipping the file should match the same file / folder structure of your server.

Further, you will need to run "manual_tp_install.php" (or whatever it's called) in your browser directly. That is, if you installed TP to "http://www.mysite.com/smf/" and "/public_html/smf/," you will need to put "http://www.mysite.com/smf/manual_tp_install.php" into your browser's address bar and run it. Likewise, if you installed TP to "http://www.mysite.com/" and "/public_html/," you will need to put "http://www.mysite.com/manual_tp_install.php" into your browser's address bar and run it.

Lastly, you will have to manually edit other (SMF) files (that were not touched by TP). You can find which files to edit and what to do to edit them here: Mod instructions for TP 0.9.8 and SMF 1.1 - 1.1.2.



Doc Written By: PhilH