REQ: Manual Install zip/"package"

[rampy]

Hey Bloc,

I'm on a SAFE MODE enabled server, and am looking to do a manual install.

Not being a complete newbie (but not necessarily 3l33t either) I can and will follow the fairly human readable .mod instructions and look at the package-info.xml to figure out where things go... 

I was wondering if it made sense, to make a 2nd alternative zip that was tailored to manual installs.  I'm still poking around to feel out how SMF and tinyportal architecture works... but wanted to toss that out there...

If I have any brainstorms i'll pass them along =)

rampy

[Bjørn]

If you know your way around the mod file and what it does to files, you are half there.

Do you have access to directly do sql calls to a database through PHPMyAdmin? I can provide the sql file of a fresh install, that will be the same as doing it through the package manager.

I have been thinking about just adding it to the archive in case people can't do it trough the package manager.

[rampy]

Yeah, I've got access to MySqladmin so it's not a big deal...

Including the SQL file might not be a bad idea... I can get the sql calls from tp_install.php but in the future it would be nice =)

At least the filenaming is pretty consistent and follows some sort of convention =)

It was pretty easy to ascertain that the *.english.php went into the theme/themename/languages or the *.template.php went in the theme's directory.

Is it possible/useful to provide a pre-modded index.php with the understanding that it should only be used on a virgin install of SMF (i.e. tinyportal being the first mod installed so to speak)  Not sure if that even makes sense, I'm just getting lazy doing the find/replace

best regards,

rampy

[Bjørn]

The naming convention I made sure was consistent, because I figured alot of users used others mods too, or tried them out.

As for supplying a premodded index, I can't really do that. its one of the policies of SMF that distribution is not allowed - even one single file. Except themes of course. And as you perhaps know, I am on the Design Team there, so I don't want to break that trust.

It has disadvantages too, if supplied for a wider audience, the version of SMF would clash - I would have to supply all versions and even then its no guarantee it will be the right one.. Better then to have it as mod, but of course more difficult for people with SAFE mode.

but...I think this SAFE mode issue is adressed in upcoming versions of SMF, at least its being thought through.

The sql file supplied is a suggestion I will follow. It will make things a bit easier, at least for people who use PHPMyAdmin, myself included. This server is also on SAFE mode in fact.

[rampy]

That seems odd, I mean I understand, and you're obviously closer to the core developer(s) than I am...

I guess I assumed it was under a GPL like license and now I see that it is not.

Although if I read the SMF license correctly you can redistribute a modded version of their files (but not for money) but with explicit written consent... So can I assume that the policy seems to not grant that permission?

*shrug* I'm not complaining or bashing... it just surprised me a little, or besides maintaining some semblence of control over the product, don't understand the reasoning behind their thinking...

FWIW I did get the tinyportal mod working and like it... but i've got a lot of thinking to do and theming to see how to best merge content/look of my existing site with SMF && Tinyportal or some sort of custom smf SSI

Thanks for the very useful mod!

rampy

[Bjørn]

That's how I understand it too, one needs permission for distribution.

There have been quite a few discussions around this over there, but the policy still stands. There were issues with YaBBSE earlier that led to it....but this is better explained on their site.

[rampy]

I understand... was just curious, will check out the relevant threads a SMF eventually =)

BTW:  What do you think of adding an RSS feed block type?  I realize with the php block one could code their own, but thought it was important enough of a block type to be included.

*shrug* just another idea to toss out there =)

rampy

[Bjørn]

Not bad in fact...it would be similar to "recent post".

[rampy]

Not bad in fact...it would be similar to "recent post".

Just to be clear on what I was thinking though... an RSS block would allow tiny portal users to syndicate content from other outside sites/blogs as well (not just SMF forum posts/etc)

Like on my site, I put up headlines from other relevant sites, automagically fromm their RSS feed (and vice versa)

Just a thought

rampy

[Bjørn]

Yes, that was what i meant too. Just came out a little short there.