How to install MAMBO CMS

Step 1

Installing the Mambo CMS is simple. Mambo uses a web installer process and complete installation basically involves only four steps.

1. After obtaining the Mambo package just transfer the package to your site and unzip or untar it -or- Unzip or untar locally, then FTP the files to your server.
2. Run the install program from your browser
3. Modify some file permissions on your server, if necessary
4. Delete the install directory

Now, to get started, you just point your browser to the domain that you have set up to contain your Mambo site.

If you are using, for example, yourdomain.com, then you just point your browser to http://yourdomain.com. If you are using a sub domain or a directory within your domain, point your browser to that URL.

When the page loads, you should see the pre-installation check screen.

Step 2

The Directory and File Permissions screen lists the folders that need to be writable for a successful Mambo installation. If the ownership is correct, all directories will be writable.

NOTE: If the directories listed under the Directory and File Permissions are unwritable, contact your hosting provider so they may set the proper ownership for your domain account.

If you are comfortable with setting your own file and directory permissions, you can chmod permissions yourself. In this example, I will use cPanel, which is the most popular control panel used by hosting companies. Other server control panels provide similar functionality.

* Log in to your cPanel account on your server space. Once logged in, from the cPanel main page, click File Manager . This will open another browser window which displays the File Manager screen.

* Click the filename of the public_html folder. This will update the right frame of the File Manager and will show the file properties and associated basic operations.

* On the right frame of the File Manager, click Change Permissions. (NOTE: Normally, a permission of 755 for all directories, and 644 for all files will deem Mambo functional and secure, however if the ownership is incorrect. This can vary depending on your server setup. If setting directories to permissions of 755 does not work, you will need to contact your hosting provider for assistance).

If you see any entries in Red you will need to check your file permissions.

When all files and directories have the correct permissions set for a successful install of Mambo, every entry in the list will be in
GREEN.

If your screen shows any RED entries, your Mambo install is unlikely to be successful and you will have problems with the correct operation of Mambo.

Once everything is green, click the Next button
to continue…

You will be asked to confirm that you accept the terms of the GNU/GPL licence before you can continue installation.

Now, its time to set up your site -specific information. Continue reading with part 3.

Step 3

This now brings you to the first step of entering your specific site settings.

Enter the following information:

* Host Name: This is the address of the MySQL Server. In most cases, the value for this is localhost, otherwise if the MySQL resides on a different server to the Mambo files, the value for this should be the MySQL server address
* MySQL Username: The MySQL Username. NOTE: Do not forget the domain prefix (eg. domain_username).
* MySQL Password: The MySQL Password.
* Verify MySQL Password: The MySQL Password:
* MySQL Database Name: The Mambo MySQL Database. NOTE: Do not forget the domain prefix (eg. domain_database).
* MySQL Table Prefix: Recommended value is mos_.

Step 4

If you are new to Mambo, it is recommended that you install the Sample Data.

This provides a useful learning tool as you can play with the sample data to your heart’s content, then delete when you no longer need it.

Step 5

At this stage, your Mambo installer will show “Step 2″ at the top of your screen.

In the next step, we enter the desired site name into the text box. You can change your site name anytime through the Administrator backend after your site is installed.

Click on “Next” to go to Step 3 in the installer process.

In Step 3, you would normally leave the URL and Path at its pre-defined defaults.

Fill in Your E-mail address in the text field.

You can choose to accept the automatically generated SuperAdministrator (you) password, or can change it to a password you like. Please remember to make it a strong password for security.

Nearly there now!

Click “Next” for Step 4 of the installer process.

In Step 4, you can enter your name and contact details. This information is optional.

You will get a reminder to remove the Installation Directory. This is an important security consideration and Mambo will not let you proceed to login until you have deleted the Installation Directory.

Also on the screen, you will see a notice about donations.

Mambo is a completely free, volunteer project and has hosting costs and administration costs that have to be covered. The project relies on donations to help cover these costs. Any amount you may consider donating will be used solely for furthering the Mambo CMS project.
There is also a form that you can fill out and send off to us if you are interested in joining the Mambo Team.

You have now installed Mambo and can click the “View Site” button to go directly to your new Mambo web site.

If you did not remove the Installation Directory, you will see a message informing you that you must do so before you can proceed.If you are unsure how to delete the installation directory from your server, just read the next article in this series.Once the Installation Directory has been deleted from your site, just refresh your browser to see your new Mambo web site.

Sometimes, you need to clear the browser cache so it reloads the web site.

Step 6 (deleting the installation directory following a successful installation of MAMBO.)

Once the Installation Directory has been deleted from your site, just refresh your browser to see your new Mambo web site.

Sometimes, you need to clear the browser cache so it reloads the web site.

Step 7

To maximize the security of your account create unique passwords containing at least eight random alphanumeric characters or symbols, and alternate between upper and lower case letters (eg. 5zKxl8*q). The longer and more complex the password, the more difficult it is to attack with a brute-force search. Avoid using actual dictionary words and never use personal information such as names, birthdays, etc. Even words spelt backwards, foreign language words, and sms-style txt words, are unsafe to use these days.

Avoid using the same password for different logins on your own domain (your account, MySQL databases, messageboards etc).

The easiest way to create a strong password that you won’t have to write down is to come up with a passphrase. A passphrase is a sentence that you can remember, like “My daughter Nicole is three years older than my son Mike.” You can make a pretty strong password by using the first letter of each word of the sentence. For example, mdnityotmsm. However, you can make this password even stronger by using a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters that look like letters. For example, using the same memorable
sentence and a few tricks, your password is now jrk#$%dsnd456.

If you still think that’s too hard to remember, you could try a more common phrase, such as “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” If you’re using a common phrase make sure to inject at least one number or symbol into the password. Such as U(t@0DnT.

One thing to keep in mind when you create a new password is that you can use almost any combination of letters, numbers and symbols that you like, BUT do not use the dollar sign. In most programming languages ‘$’ is interpreted as a string. The use of this is particularly roblematic in MySQL so it is strongly advised not to use the string symbol $ in any passwords.

Keeping your passwords safe means keeping them a secret. If you allow your kids to access your computer please keep in mind that setting up automatic logins to your site through your browser could have unintended consequences.

Good luck.