install is not obvious, even for experienced GNU/linux types

[cooch]

I'm running RH 7.3 on an Intel box, and have been using it for my web server (Apache 2.0.43) for many years. The box is running (fairly) recent flavours of PHP (4.1.27) and mySQL (3.23.49). So, in theory, this box should be more than compatible out of the gate for yabbse 1.4.1 (I'm considering yabbse as a replacement for HyperNews, which has grown unwieldy, but works fine).

So, I grab the 1.4.1  tarball, put it into a web - accessible directory on my server, and extracted the files. Followed the install directions in the readme.html file and chmod'd the files as suggested.

Now, if I was a new user, I'd have no indication that I also need to ensure the .php files are properly parsed and executed, which is determined (specified) in the httpd.conf file (for Apache).

It seems to me that documentation is written for a user install yabbse in a personal directory, under the assumption that some webmaster has 100% configured the system already to be compatible for yabbse. Perhaps, but what is sorely needed is just that level of information, to help figure out why things are working, or not.

I found the 'readme.html' file to be rather inadequate.

[[Unknown]]

The readme is written for the standard user, who does not host himself.  As most people don't, this fits nicely.... and those who do usually know how/already have set it up.
I set it up on my own server, and I must say I never looked at the readme.  It's job isn't to explain how to set PHP up, that's www.php.net's job. (and they do an admirable job of it, as well.)

-[Unknown]

[cooch]

Actuualy (FYI), php.net does a lousy job of explaining how to get PHP running with Apache 2.xx. They assume the world is al using 1.xx version of Apache.

But, point taken...

[Douglas]

And now, speaking as someone that went from complete YaBB SE Newbie to a proud member of the support team in under two months, I actually found the readme.html file a wonderful resource.  I run a larger message board on a different system that's completely different than YaBB SE is.  I was initially confused, but after delving into the read me file and casually browsing the forums, I got almost all the answers I needed, and what I didn't find, I asked.  [Unknown], David and Spaceman-Spiff all provided assistance with responding to my very long post.

It CAN be daunting from a newbie's perspective, but if people take time to read the manual and ask the right questions, just about anyone can install this.

I've actually got a completely re-worked YaBB SE install for one of my clients, by far the most advanced editing I've done on YaBB SE.  Thank goodness I love to read, cause otherwise I would have been SOL.

It's a great product for being free.  While it doesn't have all the features that I have on my current paid forum, it's still a stable enough product that I run this on several other places (working on my 7th install, first for a client).

What do you propose that needs to be changed in readme.html?  If it's about configuring PHP or MySQL, that should be left to their respective sites.  Looking forward to your suggestions.  

[cooch]

A manual? There's a manuaL?  

Seriously - where is the link for said manual anywhere on the yabbse.org home page, or on the download page? ( the two most obvious places you'd expect such a link). I just looked again and can't find anything every remotely close to a link that says something obvious like 'User Manual', or 'Installation Docs'.

There's nothing in the tarball, either - except said readme.html, which is very limited in what it covers.

[Douglas]

I meant to say the read me file. in the zip/tarballs/etc.  What do you feel needs to be added to it?

[[Unknown]]

Actuualy (FYI), php.net does a lousy job of explaining how to get PHP running with Apache 2.xx. They assume the world is al using 1.xx version of Apache.

But, point taken...

PHP is not *perfectly* compatible with Apache 2.xx, that's why.  There's no reason to explain the installation procedure.... it won't work well when it's one anyway.  (this is from what I understand, not first hand.)

And... when I stop being so lazy I'll bother mysefl to write up a manual.  I'll do it in XML so it can be made in PDF/CHM/HTML/etc.  (I really like CHMs myself.)

-[Unknown]