wordpress install

[rickd]

hi,

i just joined the forum this evening but my site has been hosted on bluehost since march, 2006.

i'm thinking about installing WordPress blogging software and am wondering if there is a 'most common' way to do this? Should i just install wordpress into a new directory on my current site - i.e. a directory called 'blog'? or, should i create a new sub-domain - again, called 'blog' or whatever?

i guess right now i'm kind of leaning towards just creating a new directory on my current website because it seems the simplest way to do this. unless, of course, there is something i don't know about.

any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

[grant]

You should have no trouble installing wordpress to a subdirectory, or a subdomain called "blog" or whatever.. Either way will pretty much work the same. I suggest manually installing wordpress though, and don't bother with Fantistico. If you follow the directions on the wrodpress install page (http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress) you'll be fine. :) Just remember to create that subdirectory or subdomain first, and install into which ever. ;)

I started using wordpress back in October of 05 (before I switched to Bluehost) and still use it to this day. It's very flexible and it doesn't take too long to learn how to use it. I hope that you enjoy your wordpress experience as much as I have.

[rickd]

hi grant,

thanks for the info - it's great to hear that i was at least thinking along the same lines. also, thanks for the tip on installing wp manually - i'll do that.

rick

[grant]

It should be pretty easy for you and you seem to have an idea of how you want it set up. Reassurance never hurts though. ;) If you have any problems setting it up I'm sure that either myself, or another wordpress user here can help you out. I hit this forum almost daily.

Oh, and you have some amazing pieces of woodwork on your site? You do all those yourself? I'm lucky if I can get a simple birdhouse put together. I'm not exactly too handy when it comes to large power tools. I can build plastic model kits pretty well though. I'm good with small hand tools. :D

[retractable clause]

I suggest manually installing wordpress though, and don't bother with Fantistico.
Out of sheer curiosity, why would you recommend that?

I just signed up for a brand new Bluehost account a day or two ago, with my first goal being to install WordPress. While I found the WordPress instructions (http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress) to be complete, well-written, and very helpful, they are very long, and include many steps and sub-steps. There are simply too many places for an absolute novice to make mistakes.

Today, I attempted installing WordPress using the Fantastico route and found it to be utterly simple. It was amazing.. I did the whole thing in a single step. It sets up your database for you, and puts all the files in the right place. All you have to do is choose your Administrator log-in name and password.

Am I missing something? Is there some sort of deficiency inherent to Fantastico? If not, why would you recommend a process much more involved, complex, and laborious to a newcomer?

Again, I have nothing but great things to say about both Bluehost and WordPress. As I stated above, the WordPress installation instructions are extremely well-written, easy to read, and thorough. It's just that there's so many steps and sub-steps that I can't imagine telling a newbie to use it when Fantastico provides a single-step installation solution.

[alexvf]

Hello,

I always install my sites manually. The main reason for me to do that is the latest stable available site version. Most of the times, Fantastico doesn't have the latest version of the site.

In this case (Wordpress) Fantastico has the latest stable version available (2.0.2). I would install it manually anyway but I couldn't tell you exactly why. :confused: I guess I like to be in control of the installation.

I don't know what are the reasons for 'grant' to install his sites manually. But mine are mainly the last version available and the idea that I did all alone. :)

alexvf

[JimT2]

There are a couple of good reasons why I no longer use Fantastico. As alexvf said, if you want to keep your site up to date waiting for Fantastico to finally have the latest version isn't the best way. It took forever before WP 2.0.2 made it in there. And while you're waiting for it, your site is susceptable to what can be serious security issues.

I had installed Drupal through Fantastico once, and when I tried to update it through Fantastico, it deleted all template changes and modules I had installed. I was just playing around with the software so it didn't matter too much, but if I had been using it for a legitimate site it would have really pissed me off.

Finally, if you take the time now to learn how to manually install software, you'll be better prepared to update it. It's really not that difficult with most programs, and if you follow instructions step by step it won't take long. On top of that, sooner or later you might want a program that isn't offered on Fantastico. What then?

The "easy" way isn't always the best way!

[retractable clause]

Since WordPress 2.0.2 is here now, debating how long it took to arrive is moot. Although Fantastico apparently doesn't give you the latest versions all the time, it does in this case.


Finally, if you take the time now to learn how to manually install software, you'll be better prepared to update it. It's really not that difficult with most programs, and if you follow instructions step by step it won't take long. On top of that, sooner or later you might want a program that isn't offered on Fantastico. What then?
I suppose that's a problem for a different day. In this case, I think the original poster wanted the quickest answer possible.


The "easy" way isn't always the best way!
What is best for one might not best for another. You speak of the "best way" as if that's a measurable, absolute quantity.

I can see the point you're getting at. It might be better to take the complicated route and learn the ins and outs right off the bat. Then again, that's all subjective. I guess the aspect of grant's post that made me raise my eyebrow was that he gave his opinion as absolute fact.

When you're giving advice, you should weigh the pros and cons of each point and counterpoint. While you might feel that installing WordPress manually gives you a more hands-on, controlled approach, someone who is a novice and simply wants to get started ASAP might find a quicker method works more simply for them. They can always go back and learn the minutiae of software installation at any time.

Neither approach is wrong. They are just different and should both be acknowledged accordingly and fairly. People come to this forum for advice and info... not to be steered in whatever arbitrary direction some guy happens to prefer.

[JimT2]

People come to this forum for advice and info... not to be steered in whatever arbitrary direction some guy happens to prefer.

I, for one, am not interested in steering anybody anywhere. I was stating my opinion on the issue, and sharing an experience related to it. If that changes somebodys mind so be it.

I do not choose to use Fantastico anymore. Have I in the past? Yes. Should somebody else? Sure. If that's what they want. To each their own.

Incidentally, retractable clause, does your above quote refer to your first post in this thread as well?